Dove Invisible Dry Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

RRP: £2.39

--What does the promo say?--
"Dove Invisible Dry Anti-Perspirant Roll On gives 24 hour protection without leaving any white marks on a remarkable 100 colours of clothing.  It contains 0% alcohol so is gentle on skin whilst being an effective deodorant."

--Packaging--
The roll-on that I was sent by Dove's PR is tiny - a real tapered bullet that's perfect for hand baggage! The silvery screw-on plastic lid adds a touch of sophistication, too.

--Application--
Just roll under your arms after showering or bathing. Easy peasy.

--Appearance--
I was a little worried as it visibly rolls on white. However, it quickly dries clear, and, as promised, leaves no white marks on a variety of clothing colours.

--Scent--
Cotton-like and fresh.

--Texture and consistency--
Smooth and dries quickly.

--Effects on the skin--
Does not irritate and provides effective anti-perspirant protection - and all without white marks on clothing or body.

--Value for money--
Even though some will prefer natural deodorants (an increasing trend these days), there are plenty of people who just want something that will do the job fast without staining their clothes. With this, you can stay dry and fresh all day for under £3, and without having to scrub off white marks either. Thanks, Dove.

Dove Invisible Dry Deodorant comes in a variety of formats - spray, stick and roll-on - and sizes (40ml to 250ml).

Dove Caring Protection Body Wash

 RRP: £1.99

--What does the promo say?--
"Nourishment that protects your skin. Our Caring Protection body wash protects the surface of your skin while cleansing. It contains NutriumMoisture with a high level of natural oils and skin natural lipids. The combination helps restore the protective surface of your skin to keep moisture in. Feel the care of the rich and creamy formulation. Naturally protecting, always beautiful."

--Packaging--
The predominantly white bottle is calming and gender-neutral, while the hints of gold and royal blue provide a touch of class. The small blue flip top lid is easy to open and secure to close, even with wet hands, and minimises wastage thanks to its effective dispensing action.

--Application--
Rub into wet skin while showering, delight in the silky lather for as long as you want, and then rinse off.

--Appearance--
The gel creme that initially comes out of the bottle is white and almost pearlescent. This transforms into a robust yet luxurious white foam that leaves no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
Freshly laundered cotton is the primary scent evoked; the overall effect is homely and natural rather than seeming overly perfumed, so shouldn't interfere with your usual choice of eau de toilette.

--Texture and consistency--
Creamy and indulgent. As mentioned, a rich lather builds up on contact with water, and it stays on your skin for as long as you want it to before rinsing. 

--Effects on the skin--
In truth, I noticed no difference in terms of moisturisation compared to the other shower gels that I currently have on rotation (a selection by Lush, Deep Heat, and Bath & Body Works). However, it's possible that over a longer period of time a difference might manifest itself thanks to the sunflower and soybean oils that this product contains.

--Value for money--
At a mere £1.99 a punt (less if you catch it on offer, as it is at Boots currently), it's worth a shot for the heavenly shower experience this provides. This product's silky lather is hard to beat, and definitely welcome after a hard day's work, a full-on gym session, or a poor night's sleep. Definitely give it a try. 

Dove Express Treatment Intensive Repair Conditioner

 RRP: £3.99

--What does the promo say?--
"Introducing the next generation of daily conditioner with the added benefits of a treatment. Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment Conditioner works in just one minute. Our dual action formula contains Fibre Actives™ technology which penetrate deep inside the hair to help rebind damaged proteins without weighing hair down as well as repairing and sealing lifted cuticles to help protect against future damage. Prevents split ends and breakage."

--Packaging--
The white, blue and silver colour scheme is slick, eye-catching and unisex, with the classic Dove logo ever-present. The flip-top plastic tube, which stands on its end in the shower, is practical too.

--Application--
After shampooing, apply to the ends of the hair. Rinse off after one minute.

--Appearance--
A sumptuous white cream that leaves no visible residue on the hair after use.

--Scent--
Cotton-like. Mmm fresh laundry.

--Texture and consistency--
Creamy and smooth without being claggy or sticky. Washes out easily when you want it to, while staying in the hair for the one minute required and beyond.

--Effects on the hair--
Really revitalises hair, making it feel soft and voluminous. Perfect result even from the first use.

--Value for money--
No complaints about how the product is to use or its results. Once my free bottle runs out, I'd definitely buy another to replace it. Practical yet luxurious - love it :)

perfect partners
Intensive Repair Shampoo, £2.69
Intensive Repair Leave-In Conditioning Spray, £3.59 

Dove Original Compressed Deodorant

RRP: £2.89

--What does the promo say?--
"New Dove compressed with ¼ moisturisers and Vitamins E. Effective protection plus care in a little can. Use Dove compressed just like your normal 150ml Dove aerosol and it will last just as long. Dove compressed leaves underarms visibly soft and smooth and feels gentle on your skin. Alcohol free and dermatologically tested. 48 hour antiperspirant protection."

--Packaging--
These are really dinky, making for perfect beauty packing, and have a great ergonomic design. The blue and green colour scheme also makes for a really fresh feel.

--Application--
Now, for some reason this deodorant comes out of the can with quite some force, even when you only apply normal pressure. So make sure you have a door and/or window open when you apply as I found that the atmosphere in the room became quite suffocating.

--Appearance--
No white marks. This seems to be something that deodorant manufacturers are getting better at all the time, which is great.

--Scent--
Clean and fresh. Nothing to write home about really.

--Effects on the skin--
As I mentioned in my Vaseline deodorant review, I'm not going to subject the claims about softness and smoothness to extensive testing - who needs that? However, it's non-irritating in my experience, and I like the fact that it contains vitamin E. It didn't keep my underarms dry and destinkified for as long as the Vaseline deodorant though, and as such, while I'd be willing to test Vaseline's 48-hour claim more thoroughly, I'd feel less confident about trying this with Dove's compressed deodorant.

--Value for money--
Most deodorant manufacturers jack up the price as soon as they're within smelling distance of a 48-hour claim, and this seems to have happened a little bit here, but it doesn't seem to fleece the consumer as much as some products I've seen. The slightly higher price tag is arguably justifiable as many people who want to travel light will be willing to pay for the privilege of being able to pack a 'smaller' deodorant when off on their travels. However, I wouldn't buy this once my free aerosol from Dove has run out - it just didn't keep me dry for as long as I would like.

Dove Purely Pampering Shea Butter and Warm Vanilla Body Cream

RRP: £4.99

--What does the promo say?--
"The classic Dove Purely Pampering Shea Butter & Warm Vanilla bursts with creamy floral notes, blended harmoniously with warm vanilla, sandalwood and white musk, embracing the senses with pure elegance."

--Packaging--
An enormous tub with a screw-top lid that looks like it will last ages. Beautifully decorated with images evoking the shea butter and vanilla theme without being overloaded.

--Application--
Scoop some cream into the palm of your hand and rub between both hands to warm up before rubbing into clean dry skin. No problems here.

--Appearance--
A stiff white cream which soon melts into something more emollient when rubbed together in the palms. Leaves no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
As with the other products with this scent in the Dove Purely Pampering range, the shea butter is more prominent than the vanilla in this. I was hoping that Dove would capitalise on the warm vanilla aspect more with the addition of exotic spices such as cardamom, but hey - you can't have it all.

--Texture and consistency--
In spite of the cream's thickness, it rubs into skin really well and absorbs quickly. Doesn't weigh too heavily on the skin at all or clog pores.

--Effects on the skin--
Highly moisturising, but no more so than the body lotions in the Purely Pampering range.

--Value for money--
While this is a pleasant product, and it does work effectively, it's not much larger than the brand's body lotion counterparts, is not available in enough scents, and does not differentiate enough in terms of efficacy to be worth the extra cash.    

perfect partners

Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Lotion, £3.99

Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash, £2.40

Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Hand Cream, £3.49

Dove Purely Pampering Beauty Cream Hand Wash, £1.49

Dove Purely Pampering Beauty Bar, £1.59

Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash

RRP: £2.40
Number of varieties: 3 (shea butter/vanilla; coconut/jasmine; hibiscus/almond)

--What does the promo say?--
"A shower experience that nourishes and pampers. Dove Shea Butter with Warm Vanilla body wash blended with NutriumMoisture™ creates a gentle cloud of creamy lather that will leave you and your skin feeling restored and nourished. The warm scent fills the shower enveloping you with care, allowing you to feel balanced and renewed. Caring for yourself never felt so good."

--Packaging--
The body wash bottle has a lovely curved shape, and is just the right size to prevent you from dropping it in the shower. It tapers at the top to a tiny flip-top lid that is the same colour as the label, avoiding confusion in the shop or shower when you make a last-minute grab for the one you want from the range (there are 3).

--Application--
Lather up under the shower, luxuriate for as long as you like, and then rinse off. Classic.

--Appearance--
A white, slightly foamy yet still substantial cream wash. Leaves no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
There are three varieties of this available, but I have just tested one (the shea butter and warm vanilla version). It definitely delivers on the shea butter hit; less so on the vanilla front.

--Texture and consistency--
Lathers up really well, and stays on the skin for as long as you want it to. Rinses off easily when it's time to.

--Effects on the skin--
Seems to deliver skin smoothness as promised, although I used this in conjunction with its accompanying body lotion and body cream, so it's difficult to say exactly where this effect comes from.

--Value for money--
At £2.40, this is on a par price-wise with brands such as Nivea, Johnson and Johnson, and Palmolive. Offering a luxurious experience at a generous price, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

perfect partners

Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Lotion, £3.99

Dove Purely Pampering Body Cream, £4.99

Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Hand Cream, £3.49

Dove Purely Pampering Beauty Cream Hand Wash, £1.49

Dove Purely Pampering Beauty Bar, £1.59

Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Lotion

RRP: from £3.99/250ml
Number of varieties available: 3 (shea butter/warm vanilla; sweet almond/hibiscus; coconut/jasmine)

--What does the promo say?--

"Lavished with intensely nurturing ingredients, the NEW Purely Pampering skincare collection from Dove has been created to infuse the skin with the care it deserves, everyday, and wrap it in irresistible fragrance. The Dove Purely Pampering formulations deliver delicious care to skin, and are available in three lusciously scented variants – Shea Butter and Warm Vanilla, Almond Cream & Hibiscus and Coconut Milk & Jasmine Petals. Containing Dove’s unique DeepCare Complex, an infusion of skin-natural nutrients and rich essential oil for deep down nourishment, Dove Purely Pampering promises long lasting, smooth skin. Let the indulgent ingredients nourish your skin, to deliver our most irresistible care."

--Packaging--

The three bottles are ergonomically designed, with a curved ridge cut into the side of the bottle for easy handling (even with lotion-covered hands!) and an easy-to-use flip-top lid. All three variants are clearly part of the same range, but the differently-coloured labels make it easy to distinguish between them. Generally the lids work well, but there is some risk of leakage (only 2 out of 3 of these arrived from Dove's lovely PR people completely full), so be careful!

--Application--

Rub a strawberry-sized amount between the hands to warm the lotion and then rub into clean dry skin. Repeat as desired until whole body is moisturised (or 'basted' as my delightful husband says. I AM NOT A CHICKEN :p).

--Appearance--

A white cream that is thick without being mousse-like. It comes out of the tube easily without rushing out. Wastage is easily avoided. The lotion itself rubs easily into the skin with no visible residue.

--Scent--

With three different varieties available, there should be something for everyone. Here's my verdict on each of them. The shea butter and warm vanilla is pleasant, although the shea butter shows more than the vanilla. I had expected some slightly spicier elements also (perhaps cardamom or cinnamon notes would have been good). The coconut and jasmine version is well-balanced, with the coconut not being overbearing - the last thing you want is for your body lotion to smell like sunscreen! The almond and hibiscus is the best of the lot though: well-balanced and creative, with the fruitiness of the hibiscus coming through later. All, however, are delightful and merit future purchase.

--Texture and consistency--

All of the lotions absorbed very well and were not sticky, runny or greasy. Result.

--Effects on the skin--

Skin felt not just immediately softer but also smoother throughout the day, suggesting a definite possibility of longer-term results.

--Value for money--

Dove's body lotions are priced in line with similar brands such as Palmer's and E45, and compete equally on quality and scent. As promised in their promotional materials, they provide effective care for skin along with a luxurious at-home pampering experience. Would recommend.

perfect partners

Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash, £2.40

Dove Purely Pampering Body Cream, £4.99

Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Hand Cream, £3.49

Dove Purely Pampering Beauty Cream Hand Wash, £1.49

Dove Purely Pampering Beauty Bar, £1.59

Dove Creme Mousse Body Wash

RRP: £2.90

--What does the promo say?--
"What is the Dove Difference? Creamy Nourishment. A beautiful pearlescent crème formula, unlike any other, transforms into a lush lather allowing our highest concentration of NutriumMoisture™ to nourish skin deep down or more beautiful skin. For best results use every day. Dove Creme Mousse Body Wash Brightening [...] rejuvenate[s] dull skin."

--Packaging--
These plastic bottles stand up on their lids in the shower so that you can be sure of the mousse being right at the opening where you need it every single time. The designs are discreet, and yet the turquoise and navy versions distinguish well between the respective brightening and nourishing versions. This means that your odds of grabbing the wrong one on a sleepy morning should hopefully be low!

--Application--
Only about a tablespoon of this is needed for a lather that covers your whole body. Take double the amount for an even more generous effect. Lather, enjoy, and rinse.

--Appearance--
The brightening formula is more pearlescent than the nourishing one, but both creme mousses are brilliant white, while washing off invisibly.

--Scent--
Both just smell soapy, which in a way is a shame, but in another way feels right given that this product's USP is texture, not scent.

--Texture--
Creamy and luxurious just as promised, although occasionally proves a little difficult to rinse off.

--Effects on the skin--
While pleasant to use, I haven't noticed any immediate or long-term changes to my body skin during my trial of these products, so any joy you get from this product is likely to be purely sensory and short-term, rather than practical or truly restorative.

--Value for money--
These products are an absolute dream to use and really make your routine a luxury. However, the claims they make are far too vague and I don't think you can really expect to see much in the way of genuine nourishment or brightening here.
 
perfect partners
Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash, £2
Dove Purely Pampering Shea Butter Body Wash, £2.40
Dove Cream Silk Hand Wash, £2.30
Dove Complete Care Pampering Set, £3.75  

Dove Winter Care Nourishing Body Lotion

RRP: £3.99

--What does the promo say?--

"It's true that beauty starts from the inside. Dove Limited Edition Winter Care Nourishing Body Lotion works deep down. It not only moisturises the surface of your skin, but also delivers deep nourishment for long lasting beautifully soft and smooth skin. Its rich formula gives you the intensive care you need for the cold season. It treats dry skin so that it recovers, and the warm fragrance of Amber flower provides a pampering sensation. Now your skin can be beautiful, soft and smooth all winter long. The unique DeepCare Complex includes skin natural nutrients and rich essential oil to help gradually improve skin starting deep down."

--Packaging--

The pink and white colour combination is creamy and feminine, with the white snowflake motif adding an extra festive feel. The bottle is curved into an ergonomic design and this, along with its flip-top lid, makes it convenient and pleasant to use.

--Application--

Massage into clean dry skin just before bed or just after a shower. Leave to soak in, and enjoy. Nothing tricky about this.

--Appearance--

A white lotion that leaves no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--

Oddly, and slightly disappointingly, this smells more of coconut than amber, which reminds me more of summer holidays than of Christmas, so that was a slight let-down. However, I suspect that being evocative of the holiday season was not this cream's main aim, but that keeping skin protected throughout winter was - so if the oils they have included (shea and sunflower to name just a few) are the best ones to do this job, more power to them.

--Texture and consistency--

Perhaps not the fastest sinking-in lotion I've ever used, but it's not sticky or greasy. While slightly runny, it doesn't go all over the place while you're using it and it doesn't massage into skin badly overall.

--Effects on the skin--

Does leave skin smooth and soft, but as I don't have problems with dry body skin on the whole, I couldn't say how this worked for those who tend to have more difficulty. 

--Value for money--

At just under £4 this is in line with standard high street RRPs, and makes for a luxurious experience for the price. I do believe that it can help skin to stay protected in winter thanks to its essential oils, collagen and urea content. Its attractive packaging also means that in a box with some pink tissue paper and Dove's Winter Care Cream, it would make a lovely gift for any lady in your life this Christmas - whether it's your mum, grandma or teenage daughter.

 perfect partner

Dove Winter Care Cream, £3.29 

Dove Maximum Protection Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Cream

RRP: £5.10

available in 3 varieties: Original Clean, Cucumber and Green Tea, and Lemon and Verbena

--What does the promo say?--

"Dove Maximum Protection Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Cream Original gives you the maximum protection ever from Dove.  The strength you need combined with the beauty and care you expect from Dove:

• Provides scientifically proven protection against wetness
• Delivers all-day freshness through odour-fighting technology
• Cares for your skin with Dove 1/4 moisturising cream
• Features a significant fragrance to leave you feeling clean, fresh and beautiful.

The ultimate combination of protection and beauty for women seeking maximum wetness protection, whilst caring for thier underarm skin."

--Packaging--

For the original version (which I was sent by Dove along with the Cucumber and Green Tea version) the box is blue and white, with a couple of silver details (the drop around the "1/4" in "1/4 moisturising cream", as well as the Dove logo itself) and a blue and white band across the box which also gives the impression of sparkles. The dispenser itself is also mainly white with a few blue details. The opaque white plastic lid pulls off easily but closes securely and the click-wheel mechanism is easy to use.

--Application--

Dove suggests applying this to underarms before going to bed so that the technology used in the deodorant cream can be activated during the night, although it can also be applied in the morning, of course. Both methods work fine, with the recommended 2 clicks of the wheel being sufficient for each underarm.

--Appearance--

The white cream leaves no visible residue on skin or clothes. Result.

--Scent--

Original Clean delivers exactly that: a unisex scent that smells of freshly-washed laundry.

--Texture and consistency--

Creamy and absorbs easily. The days of sticky roll-ons and powdery sprays are gone!

--Efficacy--

Works extremely well across the 48 hours stated (discovered when I forgot to apply deodorant one morning because I was too excited about going to Disneyland. Erm...yay?) and all in the heatwave-style temperatures we're experiencing at the moment, as well as in the throes of copious sightseeing. Yay :)

--Value for money--

Once you hit the £5+ mark you really need to work hard to convince people to purchase your deodorant (my usual choice, Mitchum, is only just over half this and is frequently on special offer too). There's no question that Dove's deodorant works very well and that its price point is in line with other deodorants conforming to similar standards and values. However, I do admit to feeling a little flummoxed: this product is basically exactly the same as Sure's Maximum Protection deodorant, which I also tested recently. The design of the dispenser is the same, the boxes are extremely similar, the product itself seems to be made to a similar (if not identical) formula, and even the wording on the boxes has basically been copied and pasted between the two products. This is perhaps unsurprising, since both products are made by Unilever, but I do wonder why Unilever has not tried a little harder to differentiate between the two products. Are the general public really this stupid? I'd like to hope not. In this case, then, I'd recommend you buy Dove's - but only really because it's 20p cheaper than its Sure counterpart. Both are equally effective, and your money goes to the same guys anyway.

Dove Natural Touch Dead Sea Minerals Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

RRP: £2.19

--What does the promo say?--

"Dove Natural Touch Dead Sea Minerals Roll-On 50ml is a anti-perspirant, anti-transpirant deodorant that gives up to 48 hours protection. Our only formulation with Dead Sea Minerals that helps keep your underarms moisturised, odour free and dry all day. 0% alcohol and with dead sea minerals renowned for natural skin moisturisation."

--Packaging--

While the whites and pastels used for this roll-on package are fairly endemic in the deodorant market, the Dead Sea minerals image and silver dove help it to stand out more on the shelf. The package is able to stand alone next to the sink or wherever you want to keep it, with the roller ball pointing down so that gravity helps the deodorant along, keeping the ball constantly lubricated (no constantly running the ball over your skin just to get a tiny amount of deodorant out!). The only criticism with this is that at times excess liquid can gather at the edges of the ball, so just be sure to wipe under your arms with the excess first.

--Application--

Roll over clean dry skin and allow to dry for a few minutes before getting dressed.

--Appearance--

A white translucent gel-cream which dries invisibly on skin. I did experience a couple of white marks on clothes while dressing (boo hiss) but I suspect I was not patient enough.

--Scent--

Clean, fresh - but funnily enough, not too salty.

--Texture and consistency--

Absorbs quickly into skin and is creamy yet light. The liquid keeps cool well and so is refreshing too. No irritation was experienced during use of this product.

--Efficacy--

I experienced a little more wetness with this deodorant than I did with Sure's newest deodorant (tested in March).  However, this was not too serious or visible (just slightly uncomfortable!) and it still seemed to prevent body odour effectively in spite of this, which is more important for me. So the claim that this deodorant "keeps you dry all day" perhaps doesn't stand up fully - but then again I have suffered from hyperhydrosis all my life, so I'm always going to be a tougher nut to crack and I'm sure most people won't have this issue. Underarms did feel moisturised though and as mentioned body odour is definitely prevented.

--Value for money--

This is over 50% less money than the Sure deodorant tested, so I am perhaps a little more predisposed towards it in this regard. One roller ball seems to last a long time, and the deodorant is mostly effective, so I would definitely consider purchasing from the brand again - even if as a hyperhydrosis sufferer I went for one of their heavier-duty lines, such as their Maximum Protection range (including their new and equally appealing Go Fresh scents).

perfect partner

Dove Anti-Perspirant Natural Touch Spray, from £2.49 

Dove Hair Minimising Deodorant

RRP: £2.99
# of scents available: 3 (Silk Lily [exclusively at Tesco's], Wild Rose, Nature Fresh)

--What does the promo say?--
"Dove HairMinimising is a brand new range of antiperspirant products which gradually minimise the look and feel of underarm hair. They also care for delicate skin with Dove ¼ moisturising cream and provide the 24-hour antiperspirant protection women expect from Dove. Each Dove HairMinimising antiperspirant is designed to leave underarms looking and feeling smoother and hair-free for longer. Plus hair re-growth will feel softer, finer and may be easier to remove as a result."

--Packaging--
A very pleasing pale metallised pink colour (I reviewed the Wild Rose variant), and while the package does look a bit phallic (sorry, but it does!), it is easy to use and looks good in the bathroom too. The whole look is very understated and modern.
However, all it tells you is that the 'ProEpil complex' will help to thin and then minimise the hair, without any explanation as to what is in this complex or how it works (even the FAQs on the Dove Hair Minimising Deodorant microsite don't answer this).

--Application--
In the case of the roll-on, hold 15cm from the underarm and spray. I don't really like how it seems to leave a good amount of white dust around the place as the deodorant dries, but I've never really been a fan of spray deodorants anyway and since this also comes in a roll-on I'm prepared to forgive Dove for this.

--Scent--
Definitely correlates with what's advertised, and is certainly a very pleasant, not overbearing smell. Not frumpy; feminine, clean, and refreshing.

--How does your skin feel afterwards?--
Smooth and moisturised, as you would expect from Dove. No problems here.

--Does it stop perspiration and body odour?--
While there are no unpleasant smells, as soon as this deodorant is even shown something resembling heat (say, 15°C) you'll be left wriggling at the damp patches that quickly appear under your arms. As a hyperhydrosis sufferer I knew I wasn't exactly a normal case and so passed a can of this onto my normal sister as a control subject. Sadly there was the same result (and we don't even use the same deodorant normally - I'm a Mitchum girl while she's a Palmolive customer).

--Does it do what it says it will, & ultimately retard hair growth?--
My sister and I have both been using this for over a month, and have seen little or no difference (for the record, she's olive-skinned with light brown hair, and I'm pale and blonde, but with darker body hair). However, as my sister correctly points out, women in Western cultures are so obsessed by the appearance of body hair that they will go for a shave or a wax as soon as almost *anything* is visible, so even if this deodorant does thin the underarm hair, that probably won't make much of a difference to the way women perceive it, particularly if like me they already have quite dark body hair to begin with.

--Value for money--
My usual deodorant is already quite expensive at £2.79 for a 100ml roll-on (which rises by almost 50p if you go for the trendy solid version). My sister's choice of Palmolive is cheaper than both Dove and Mitchum, at £2.65 for 250ml or £1.89 for 150ml, which indicates that £2.99 is perhaps a little steep for something that's not hugely effective. Perhaps try it once for the gimmick (and there's even a discount coupon here for you), and then go back to your normal deodorant. It is certainly an interesting product which, if Dove can develop it further and be a little more transparent about the science of it all, might be something to keep an eye on and see about again in the future if it improves.

Dove Self-Esteem Fund Reality Diaries

Most women today are probably familiar with Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. You'll probably have seen the images Dove projects of real non-airbrushed women, standing in their underwear on billboards. Real women who really use these products.

Now Dove has gone one step further, setting up its Self-Esteem Fund to help women lead successful and fulfilled lives without their self-esteem being negatively impacted upon by the often unattainable images projected by the media of what beauty is, or should be aspired to by every woman. The Self-Esteem Fund website can be found here, and it's fairly well set out - it clearly states what the fund is, what it does, and it shows you photos, videos (see the bottom of this post for the videos) and press releases relating to the project, as well as logos you can use yourself to promote it if you should feel strongly enough about it.

It also links to the Reality Diaries - the part of the campaign which is used to reach out to young girls themselves, by interviewing young American girls (Sydney, Chelsea, Jordyn and Irene) who are still in high school. It is clearly pitched at girls aged between 11 and 16 - a crucial time for young women today who are trying to avoid being seduced by media perceptions of beauty, as well as more serious and perhaps associated problems such as anorexia.

Each girl has several 5-minute videos (conducted sometimes in interview format, sometimes with the girls filming themselves) available for your viewing pleasure, on a variety of subjects ranging from physical insecurities (such as a dislike of one's nose) to emotional difficulties (such as losing a close family member). The girls speak eloquently and articulately, and although sometimes their speeches are a little cliched, sometimes cliches can make a lot of sense.

The videos are sorted with the most recent appearing first, so if you arrive to find a few videos, be sure to go back to the beginning so as to watch them in order. The girls also each have a blog which they update regularly, and a little section about themselves. There's something in there that every young girl can relate to (and this is reflected in the site colour scheme as well - the predominant colours are brown, blue and white, with only a little pink), whether you're sporty, theatrical, popular, or all three, or none (though all the girls are of similar age), and every girl has something in common - insecurities about her appearance, whether this is reflected in an intense makeup routine, endless trips to the gym, or due to having a different ethnic background to those around them. It is these insecurities that Dove hopes to target through the Reality Diaries, by encouraging the girls to self-reflect and allowing both the girls and the viewers to take something positive from the experience.

The Reality Diaries website also features quizzes, articles, fact sheets and other online activities such as creating your own online magazine. While some of these are advertised using dodgy txt-spk, the activities themselves are comprehensive, fun and thorough, effectively combining fact with gentle encouragement of self-esteem without boosting self-confidence to stratospherically unrealistic levels.

Ultimately, Dove has put together a taut, good-looking website that's jammed with activities and has clear aims and a clear audience. It's an excellent extension of the Campaign for Real Beauty, and the more it's promoted in schools and colleges, the better.