Review: Secret Clear Gel Deodorant

As I mentioned, I will use this space to review products from time to time. So today's review: Secret ClearGel with 48 hours of odour protection! I was given a full-sized sample of this product for free from Secret in order to test it and give my thoughts on how well it works.

Here are the claims made by Secret regarding the deodorant:

"With meetings, errands, commuting and more, there’s plenty to stress you out during the day. So why stress about odour and sweat protection from your deodorant? With Secret Outlast^® Clear Gel all it takes is one twist and two swipes right out of the shower for 48 hour odour protection free of white marks:

• Secret Outlast^® is specifically designed with fast drying ingredients to evaporate in seconds
• Water-based formula allows active ingredients to permeate sweat glands faster and more efficiently than invisible solid deodorant
• Bid farewell to white marks forever with rub-off resistant coverage that won’t leave a trail
• Clinically tested to help stop odour before it starts, continually working to detect odour and wetness
• The pH of Secret Outlast^® minimizes odour-causing bacteria for longer-lasting, 48-hour odour protection"

I've been using the deodorant for just under 2 months now. I've stayed away from clear gels for a number of years now because I hate the feeling of wetness they typically give upon application, along with long drying times. Here's my list of pros and cons after using Secret ClearGel (Lavender scent):

  Pros:

• Fast-drying formula means you don't need to wait before putting on a shirt after application
• Scent is subtle but pleasant- not overwhelming like many other brands
• It lives up to its claim of 48hrs of odour protection- as a busy mom, there have been days where I have forgotten to apply deodorant. With other brands, I would notice 30mins to an hour after a shower that I forgot. With the Secret ClearGel, by end of day (when I'd remember), there was still no odour!
• No white marks on clothing
• Unlike other long-lasting brands, Secret didn't cause underarm irritation, even when applied immediately after shaving

Cons:

• Although it didn't leave white marks on my clothing, I found at times it would leave white streaks under my arms after application/drying
• The claim of "one twist, two swipes" didn't ring true for me. Some days I would twist multiple times and nothing would come out. Other times, I would twist once and way too much product would come out! There didn't seem to be any consistency.
• Product doesn't last as long as others. I found that I was using up the product at a much quicker rate compared to solid formulas I typically use.

Overall, I am please with the product and would use it again!

If you've tried it, let me know what you think. Or if you have a favourite brand/formula, feel free to share :)

-Heather 

A New Year, a New Blog

I haven't blogged/journaled, etc in quite a long time, and it seems to be the "in" thing to do now, so I figure I better jump on that bandwagon. I had a really difficult time coming up with a blog title, especially since everything I could think of that was witty or cool was already taken :P

I'm going to use this spot to casually chat about my life. I'm a social worker by trade (currently working on my Masters), new mother by day, wife by...night? (when I find time), and amateur photographer in my "free time" (whatever that is). I'm known to be a "stingemaster" (my term- also known as "cheap", "frugal", "thrifty", etc), so I will post reviews on products from time to time, as well as chat about ways to save money since I find it FUN. :)

I'm not one of those crafty, pinterest moms- I'm a pinterest FAIL kind of mom. My house is usually a mess, I have too much stuff, and I talk too much.
That's about all for now. Hope you enjoy the ride!