Let’s talk about ‘pits baby. Let’s talk about you and me. Let’s talk about all the clean deodorants yoouuuuuuu need. (please tell me you sang that or at least rapped it..gotta love some old school salt-n-pepa)!!

No but seriously! I think one of the most asked questions I get when people find out I am vegan and pretty much only use super clean/non-toxic products is “what kind of deodorant do you use and does it actually work?” And the answer is that I have found two (yes! two) clean deodorants that actually work for me and don’t leave me stinking at the end of the day. As a busy momma of two and with my hormones still regulating after giving birth, a good clean deodorant is a MUST-HAVE!!

Before I introduce you to my two favorite products though, I think it is important to understand that with clean deodorant you will still sweat! A lot of people are used to regular deodorant being an anti-perspirant and a deodorizer. But we need to get sweat out of our body, especially because it cleans out our pores, gets rid of toxins and helps our circulation!

TWO TYPES OF STRESS//

Also, did you know that there is actually two types of sweat? There is activity sweat, like when you exercise hard or play a game of volleyball, and there is stress sweat, when you are feeling triggered by an event or an emotion and you sweat. So if you are super nervous about speaking in front of people, that is stress sweat, and that actually tends to be stinkier than regular activity sweat. Sweat is typically odorless, until it mixes with your armpit bacteria! The combination is typically what produces odor!

DIY ARMPIT DETOX //

So in order to get rid of all of the built-up chemicals, toxins and heavy metals (especially aluminum!) from using regular chemical deodorants, it’s important to give your little underarms some tender loving care! You can do this with only a few simple ingredients and only 5-20 minutes of your time!

Here is what you will need and why:

1. Bentonite Clay ( I use this one from Amazon..super affordable and a little goes a long way.)
2. Apple Cider Vinegar (make sure you use the raw, unfiltered with the mother kind..I always have Braggs or Trader Joes ACV on hand)

HOW TO MAKE//

Mix 1 Tablespoon of Bentonite Clay and 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar. Be sure to mix it together using a non-metal spoon and in a non-metal bowl! Once mixed, it will create a little bit of a chemical reaction and fizz. My daughter loves this part! The paste is also going to be pretty thick, so apply it liberally. And it does make a lot so you can store in the refrigerator if needed (it can last 3-4 days in fridge).

I like to first shower and clean my armpits. Then I make sure they are dry so that the paste will stick. Then just apply a small amount to your underarms, and leave on for 10-20 minutes. I have pretty sensitive underarms so I typically only do 10-15 minutes. Be sure to keep your arms up so it can dry! This is the perfect opportunity to lay back, relax and listen to a podcast! Once it’s dry, just use a towel to wipe off the paste and you are good to go!

Some people recommend to do it daily until you feel as if you don’t stink anymore. However, I have been using clean deodorant for over 7 years so I don’t think I have as much toxins/chemicals to get rid of, and prefer to do it every 2-3 months!

REMEMBER: It’s not uncommon to experience the following:

1. Stronger body odor than normal during this detox phase. You are literally cleaning out your system from all of the harsh chemicals/toxins and heavy metals found in traditional deodorants. Depending how long you have used those products, the detox may vary!
2. You might also sweat more during the detox phase. This is good and it is actually encouraged to do more physical activity to help the sweat push out all of the ickies!
3. You may also feel like you need to reapply your deodorant more often during the day. Also completely normal! It’s just a short phase!

And that’s it! If it is your first time ever, try doing it a couple of times a week! Stick with it! It will literally get easier and less stinky every time you do it!

Doing this detox mask will definitely help with the transition to a natural and clean deodorant!

MY TOP TWO FAVORITE CLEAN DEODORANT BRANDS THAT ACTUALLY WORK// PRIMALLY PURE AND PRIM BOTANICALS.

1. Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant (retails for $22)

This deodorant comes in so many different scents and I’ve tried them all, but the Charcoal scent is my current favorite. It’s also hubby approved! I typically stay away from deodorants that have baking soda because it really irritates my skin, but Primally Pure contains a small amount and it doesn’t bother me at all. It also contains kaolin clay (a powerful detoxifier) and non-nano zinc oxide, which helps soothe irritation.

The activated charcoal also further helps detoxify your body, while deodorizing and disinfecting. So it’s a win-win!

The only down-side for me is that it isn’t a completely vegan product (it includes grass-fed tallow (pretty much beef-fat). But it is one of the very few clean deodorants that actually works and doesn’t stain clothes! SO many clean deodorants do!

2. Mademoiselle Swell Natural Deodorant (Retails for $19)

I love this deodorant so much! I first heard of it through beauty blogger, Organic Bunny, and loved the ingredients so I immediately ordered it. It is baking soda free, contains no aluminums or parabens and is infused with magnesium, which helps minimize odor. It also smells so good. With jasmine, bergamont and neroli, the scent is fresh with a hint of floral! It’s also completely vegan, which makes it even more amazing.

I typically switch back and forth between these two deodorants just to mix it up and keep my armpits feeling fresh. Coupled with the underarm detox mask, I can confidently recommend these two products!!

Let me know if you try them or the detox mask and how it goes!

Also, be sure to read Melissa’s post about how she keeps her skin looking flawless!

With lots of love and gratitude,

Kari

The post Clean Deodorants that Actually Work and the Armpit Detox You Didn’t Know You Needed! appeared first on sunkissed & grateful.

Alright guys! I know you have seen those super cute white ceramic Christmas houses from Target all over Instagram. They are super affordable at $5.00 and they light up, making them the cutest little decorations to put throughout the house! I love the simple neutrality of white, but wanted to add a little bit of a boho flair to it! Typically, I don’t use red and green in my Christmas decor and prefer to keep it more earth toned to fit my style!

I saw a tutorial floating around Instagram for a quick and easy Bohemian Christmas decor DIY and decided to try it out. It’s super simple, costs less than $30 all together and adds the cutest little touch to your Christmas decor. It’s simple and timeless and I know I will use these for years to come!

What You Will Need//

+ Ceramic Houses (I used the white ceramic houses from Target’s dollar spot section. The taller ones were five dollars each and the smaller ones were two for $5. Altogether, I spent $20! Here’s a link for the tall ceramic houses. If your Target is sold out one day keep checking because the sales associate said they restock every day. If not, you can also go to Michaels and purchase these houses for a similar look.

+ Paint // You can customize to your liking but I chose some blush/mauve tones to fit my current mantle decor. I went to Home Depot and looked through their matte paints colors and chose three colors from Glidden Premium Paint Color. I used Big Cypress, Orange Essential, and Adorable. You definitely only need a small sample, which was $2.98 per color.

+ Foam Paint Brush // I just used a medium sized foam paintbrush that I had lying around the house from arts and crafts with the kiddos!

What to do //

This part is literally so easy and therapeutic haha! I turned on some Christmas music (currently loving the Spotify Christmas Coffee Shop Playlist) and started painting the houses with my older daughter. She’s 4 and loved getting to paint them with me!

Once she painted them, I just dipped the paint brush in each color to even out the strokes and it dried within 5 minutes! It was literally as simple as that.

TIP: Put your fingers in the little doors so you can paint the entire house without having to put them down! It really sped up the process!

And VOILA! that’s it! Just wait for it to dry, start putting them around the house, and you have your very own Bohemian Christmas decor! Talk about a super easy DIY that only takes about 10-15 minutes to complete!

My Fireplace Mantle Decor //

I loved this mantle when we were looking at homes to rent! I knew that it would be such a great focal point and my main decorating space for each season. Because December in Carlsbad is still pretty warm, I like to keep it coastal but a little bit of a Holiday theme.

I bought the pink dried palms from Afloral.com, my go to for dried flowers and arrangements! The five pack I purchased was only $20, and I’ve had them for 4-5 months and they hold up so well. The vase was a steal from Michaels! I used a 40% coupon and I believe it was only $7.00! Such a steal!

I also just received these super cute garlands (the wreath and the FaLaLa) from one of my favorite small shops, PearlandJane. They literally have the best quality and the cutest garlands! I have a few Christmas ones, including this one, and I also have this super cute Girl Power one for the girls! Simply add them for a little bit of an additional pop of Christmas anywhere you want! They would look so cute in your kid’s rooms too!

I also found some Bottle Brush Trees that I will be adding to the mantle too! Such a cute, inexpensive and quick way to add some bohemian Christmas decor in your house!

Hope you enjoyed this quick and easy bohemian Christmas DIY! Thanks for following along and please tag us, if you make your own! Also, don’t forget to check out our gift guide posts, here and here, if you are still looking for ideas for your loved ones!

xoxox,

Kari

The post A Quick and Easy Bohemian Christmas DIY appeared first on sunkissed & grateful.