Disclosure: I receive a slew of samples, and when I find something I like, I can’t wait to tell you all about it! In this case, I received a sample of this from the brand for consideration, but the opinions are all my own.
It never fails. If the temperature is remotely above freezing, I tend to sweat at the drop of a hat, something that many plus-size people deal. It’s the reason why blowout season for me starts around the same time as the holiday season and usually ends before Easter. But even with chillier temperatures in the forecasts, the layering required to keep warm tends to leave me sweating in places other than my pits.
Where exactly? Get your mind out of the gutter — it’s actually my chest. As someone with a large bust, it doesn’t take much to start sweating, which can pool underneath and between the breasts. This can lead to breakouts, sometimes irritation and chafing, and it just feels uncomfortable and gross whether you’re sweating under a sweater and parka after coming indoors out of the cold or simply standing on the sweltering subway platform in the middle of July.
To keep from having that “I need a shower ASAP” feeling as soon as I step out, I’ve sometimes used my gel antiperspirant under my bust, especially on days when temperatures topped out in the 90s. But even though it offered great protection, I always felt awkward getting dressed while the gel dried before putting on my bra. Besides, who wants to pick any residue off their bra or their clothes at the end of the day?
I’d known about Degree’s line of spray deodorants, but I was wary of how much would end up on my clothes before hitting my skin. Those fears were assuaged this year when the brand introduced its Pure Clean Dry Spray range, designed to not only keep pits smelling clean and feeling dry for up to 48 hours (thanks to its Motionsense technology, which delivers bursts of fresh fragrance with every movement) but also not show up on your clothes. And with a wardrobe that consists of mostly black and dark hues, that was key! I first got to test-drive the spray on a rainbow rack of chic clothes during Unilever’s #WhatsNewWithU event earlier this year and made sure to snag a sample for myself, even spraying it on my dark grey sweatshirt when I unboxed the sample and was surprised to see no marks left behind.
I loved how a quick blast was enough for my underarms, and then a thought popped into my head: “What about my boobs?” A few quick bursts before putting on my bra and a top were all that I needed to instantly feel dry — no waiting required. I checked throughout the day to see if any of the product would rub onto my clothes…and nothing, seriously. Even at the end the day when the bra came off, there was nothing but dry skin, subtlely scented with Pure Rain.
I still prefer applying gels to my pits, but it won’t have to perform double duty thanks to the Degree spray. I’ve tried to resist adding spritzing my entire body, like areas along my waist where sweat tends to sit stagnant under a pair of Spanx, unless temperatures are above 70 degrees. But with temperatures going to extremes regardless of the season (thanks to climate change!), I have a feeling I’ll need a can or two if I’m ever going to survive the summer on the subway!
Degree UltraClear Black + White Pure Clean Dry Spray, $4.97, available at Walmart.