One Of These Things (Pit Liquor) Is Not Like The Others.

One Of These Things (Pit Liquor) Is Not Like The Others.

Hate natural deodorant? So did we until we created Pit Liquor. Find out why other natural deodorants don't make the cut and what makes Pit Liquor different.
February 28, 2022 — Melanie Allen
Science of Stink

Science of Stink

Ever wonder why your pits smell so bad? We did too, and our founder Jason's research led us to a few discoveries about the science of stink. Prepare to be amazed.
February 15, 2022 — Jason and Erica Feucht
How To Refill Your Pit Liquor Bottles

How To Refill Your Pit Liquor Bottles

We know how much you love Pit Liquor, so why not get your fave on repeat? Purchasing a Refill of your favorite scent allows you to fill up your 50ml bottle SEVEN TIMES.
February 07, 2022 — Melanie Allen
Breaking up with Body Odor for Good

Breaking up with Body Odor for Good

My mom took me to the pediatrician at seven years old because I had body odor. She was convinced something was wrong with me. Perhaps I was suffering from Trimethylaminuria (fish odor disease), or starting puberty very early. The doctor, who always handled my mother’s anxiety and late night phone calls with grace and gentleness, assured her that I just needed to scrub better under my pits because I was a bit smellier than the other kids. 

 

 

Obviously, the problem got worse once I hit puberty. No kid’s body odor situation deescalates from seven to thirteen. Plus, living in Central Florida isn’t exactly conducive to not sweating. The only time I got a break was one week in January when temperatures dipped below seventy degrees. So, instead of stuffing my bra, I stuffed my armpits with folded up paper towels to create a buffer between them and my light yellow uniform shirt. 


Middle school was hard enough, especially when you’re two heads taller than all the boys - and most of the girls. I had to get pit stains out of the mix if I was to survive. Eventually, the doctor put me on a prescription deodorant, of which 20% was aluminum. It was the early aughts-- tanning beds, Furbies, and Limewire were popular. No one knew any better.  

 

 

Fast forward to adulthood. My braces and nail biting habit were gone, but my body odor was here to stay. My friends (God bless them for their honesty) never failed to let me know that I needed a little refresh. I stashed deodorant sticks in every bag and would frequently visit the bathroom for a little bird bath when on a date. I could not get away with a natural deodorant product, despite my best efforts. 


I needed the chemicals and I needed them badly. Moving into a van didn’t help the issue. Roaming around solo for a year with no running water got me super comfortable with my body odor, but I can’t speak to how the gas station attendants, campground hosts, and unassuming baristas felt. I tried several popular natural brands, lemon wedges smuggled away from the bar caddy, and face toner. Nothing worked. At least I was never truly alone, with my armpit bacteria along for the ride. 

 


Like all of the best things, Pit LIquor came into my life unexpectedly. And honestly, I didn’t believe it would work for me. I mean, alcohol and some essential oils? Couldn’t I just concoct this by myself with a bottle of rubbing alcohol from the drugstore for $0.99 cents? Nevertheless, I tried a few sprays of my boyfriend’s Whiskey Vanilla. It killed my odor instantly, which was a pleasant surprise. But I wasn’t sold. 


I continued to use it over the next few days but returned to my regular travel size powder fresh (yuck, I know, but powder fresh was the only thing that smothered my typical lox-bagel-extra-red-onion scent). Like earworms and chia seeds, something about Pit Liquor was sticking with me. 


Then my deodorant spirit guides stepped in to facilitate a slow stroll past a shelf of Pit Liquor at the local market. Compared to my $2.99 travel size conventional stick, it was certainly a splurge. However, my pits had been drinking aluminum for the past seventeen years and I wasn’t a stranger to splurging on fun items that caught my eye - 4th of July costumes, a surfboard I’ve used once, etc. After a first, second, and maybe third thought, I grabbed the Coconut Lime variety and plopped it into my basket.


To say I’ve never looked back wouldn’t be entirely true. I forgot it last time I traveled and used a conventional roll on in a pinch. But 99% of the time, the pretty glass bottle comes along. I’m still genuinely surprised that it works so well, doesn’t make me smell like booze, and doesn’t stain my shirts. On particularly sweaty days, I’ll need a refresh toward the afternoon. But other than that, my pits are just good to go. I get to let my body sweat, like nature intended. I get to put healthy, effective ingredients on my body and rest assured they are doing no harm. I get to smell like real lavender, real oranges, or real vanilla. But most importantly, I get to do the wave at large events without assaulting neighboring nostrils. It really was that simple all along.  


But hey, Pit Liquor is all about transparency so I want you to know that I write for this company. You’ll see my name on some other blog posts, although none as personal as this. However, I started writing for them because I love their products so much. If I can shepherd others down the path to healthy, odor-free armpits, confidence in their bodies, and pride in the way they show up in the world, then hell yes—my English Lit degree wasn’t a waste afterall! I’m changing the world, Mom, one pair of pits at a time.

September 07, 2021 — Abigail Scott
Blasting the Boob Sweat

Blasting the Boob Sweat

Sunshiny time on a beach or by a pool can also mean pools of sweat. In the armpits, sure, but for many in the world there's another major problem area. Hint: They live between the pits. Or, for some of us, they used to. (Ugh, gravity works!)
May 28, 2021 — Laycie McClain
Dear Garden, Please Grow! 🥕🌻

Dear Garden, Please Grow! 🥕🌻

Distilled Bath & Body didn't select one of their bloggers for growing their organic ingredients. Find out the hilarious reasons why!
May 21, 2021 — Laycie McClain
Photo Credit: Renee Preuss for Distilled Bath & Body

Your New Favorite Clean Candle

We're all a-buzz about our new beeswax candles! Pour up your favorite relaxing drink. Draw a warm bath. Light one of these lovelies and give yourself some deserved R&R.
April 23, 2021 — Laycie McClain
Pit Liquor Reviews: A Top 10 List

Pit Liquor Reviews: A Top 10 List

A David Letterman-style Top 10 List of Pit Liquor reviews from happy customers with happy, stink-free armpits.
March 12, 2021 — Laycie McClain
Self Love

Self Love

 

"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." -Lucille Ball

You care about yourself. You know what you love; you know what you hate. You choose your favorite foods, your best dress, your drink of choice. You're a confident and capable human being. But the moment you walk down the personal care aisles at your favorite store, you freeze up. You wonder how to decide which shampoo or deodorant or cosmetic to buy. What if you use your amazing self-confidence to choose your bath and body products too? It's already inside you, you just have to discover how to use it.

Our world full of ads and influencers and strategic product placement can make it seem confusing to choose the best products. And like we've shared with you before, even "natural" products might not actually be natural! So how do you love yourself and your body well?

Start with the ingredients.

Before you place that beautiful bottle in your basket, flip it around and take a look at the ingredients. Are there chemicals or long names you've never heard of? Sulfates and parabens and that mystical catch-all "fragrance"? These kinds of products are hiding all sorts of chemicals that will poison your body over time. Your health and hormones work hard to filter our this kind of garbage every day, so make it easier on them by choosing natural products that boost your health. Find ingredients that you know, and are made from food or natural substances. Look for a short list that includes only what's really necessary, not a long list of additives.

Know yourself.

You already know your likes and dislikes, so dig down deeper to your health and wellness. Perhaps you have a gluten allergy or a history of breast cancer. Maybe you're vegan or allergic to fragrances. You already know this important information about yourself, so filter your body purchases through these conditions. Choose cruelty free or gluten free products. Look for non-aluminum deodorant or fragrance-free lotion. Don't be afraid to contact the brands you love and ask questions, or Google search for specific criteria. Chances are someone else has a similar health issue and has discovered or created just what you need.

Love yourself.

It can be easy to explain away splurging  on your favorite scents or quality products. But the bottom line is that you are worth the cost. You are worth caring for the body you inhabit. You are worth that favorite scent or favorite brand or extra-special item. So go for it. Give yourself the comfort and health you deserve by choosing products that are great for your body and make you happy

 

Wondering where to start your better-products journey? Find out more about our brand and why we started Distilled Bath & Body in the first place.

February 14, 2021 — Melanie Allen
What Your Wife Really Wants for Christmas

What Your Wife Really Wants for Christmas

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Twinkling lights shine all around, holiday decorations fill the stores, and you thoughtfully purchased gifts for your beloved wife and everyone else on your list. Wait... what are you getting your wife for Christmas?

You definitely don't want to repeat last year's mistake. That ironing board may have been something she needed, but it most definitely did not qualify as a gift. Note to you: don't buy household items unless your wife specifically asks for them. And even then, just don't. This year you want to make a big gesture and show her how thoughtful you can be and how much you appreciate her. Well, never fear, the Pit Liquor fairy is here! As a woman-owned, women-run business, we know what your wife really wants for Christmas. Are you ready? 

She wants a break. An honest to goodness, rest-without-anyone-bothering-her, minute/hour/day to herself.

This has been a tough year for us all, and your wife has become a super hero juggling work and kids and life as a whole. We know you appreciate her more than you could ever express, and we also know it can be hard to translate that love into a gift. We have the perfect gift trifecta for you: a few thoughtfully chosen, good for her body products to guide her toward the rest she needs and deserves.

First up: our new olive oil castile soap. This small-batch, handmade soap will wash away all her worries, leaving her smelling sweet and fresh. It's gentle enough for her face, hands, or body, and is easy to travel with once life returns to normal. With lavender, orange clove, and lime to choose from, you can find one that suits her perfectly.

Next, add our lavender bath tea. Healing umkaloabo, calming sea buckthorn, and Epsom salts combine with lavender and four other powerhouse healing herbs to pamper her and leave her rejuvenated. Fill the tub, add the tea, and let her soak her way to happiness. Bonus points for soothing music and candles.

Finish your perfect gift trio with our fan-favorite deodorant. She'll smell so good and feel so fresh she won't sweat the small (or big) stuff that's coming her way. We love coconut rum paired with our lime soap, lavender for a triple soap/tea/deodorant trifecta, or chai spice with our orange clove soap.

Pull these three together (we'll even gift wrap them for you) along with a dedicated, on the calendar day to herself before year's end. Take the kids or the dog and leave her to wash her cares away. No phone calls, no cleaning, just rest. After 2020, she deserves it.

December 09, 2020 — Melanie Allen
7 Holiday Gifts for Everyone on Your List

7 Holiday Gifts for Everyone on Your List

It's that time of year, when you think about those you love and choose gifts to exchange, Christmas cards to send. Some years this seems fun and easy: a new apron for Mom, a thoughtful gift for your partner, a popular new toy for your kids. But other years? All you can think about it how hard it is to give gifts! What do your family members need or want? Santa is seriously underpaid. 

Never fear, we've got you covered! We have a gift idea for every hard-to-buy-for relative or friend on your list. Even better? Every gift has been thoughtfully selected from small, eco-friendly businesses, many run by women just like our own CEO. So sit back with a cup of coffee and get ready for some truly great gifts for all your hard-to-buy loved ones.

1. For your beloved grandmother across the country.

Talking over Zoom is the worst, especially when you're trying to call sweet Granny who still uses Windows 98. All you want to do is give her a hug and talk about her memories over a warm cup of tea. In years past you would visit once or twice a year, enjoying the Florida sunshine and Granny's company. But this year, everything has changed, especially for higher risk folks like your grandmother.

Try the Felt greeting card app. You can send beautiful cards with your very own handwriting straight from your phone to your grandma's mailbox. Now she can see pictures of your dog or her great-grandkids with a few thoughtful lines from you. The app makes it easy to send cards regularly so she won't feel forgotten after the holidays. She'll feel all your love, even from far away.

2. For your over-achieving, on-the-go sister-in-law.

Every time you call her she's in the middle of another volunteer event while simultaneously running fifteen miles and updating her color-coded planner. She seems to be everything and do everything while still maintaining her figure and somehow squeezing in some sleep. Just thinking about her makes you feel exhausted, but you still have to buy her a gift (wrapped perfectly, of course) before you can take a nap.

Try Girlfriend Collective leggings. These fair-trade, eco-friendly leggings mesh with her on-the-go lifestyle and even better, they're made from post-consumer plastic bottles and recycled polyester. The high rise pocket legging can hold her phone and keep her comfortable any day of the year. Throw in a few of Kate's Real Food bars in her stocking to fuel her on busy days and she'll be happy all year long.

3. For your kind-hearted aunt who has room for everyone around her table.

It might be a virtual table this year, but your aunt is the most compassionate, down-to-earth woman you know. She's never met a person she doesn't like, and she's always making new friends. Every time you're at her house, you feel like the most important person in the world to her. Her relaxed manner, her simple home, and her focus on kindness instead of competition make her everyone's favorite person.

Try Pit Liquor! Our products are as kind to her body and the earth as she is to everyone around her. You can choose a scent that's just right for her (pineapple is a favorite!), and give her a practical gift that will keep her hug-ready all year long.

4. For your best friend who has been virtual-schooling her kids all year.

It's been a year for parents, and your best friend is right in the thick of things. She's juggling two elementary school kids learning online this semester plus a toddler who needs her attention. She's holding it all together beautifully, but you know this is too much for any one person to handle. She needs (and wants!) to send her kids back to school so she can take a breath and gather herself back together. 

Try Wander + Ivy wine. This woman-owned company offers delicious organic wine in 6oz single-serve bottles. Now she can pour herself a glass at the end of a long day and take a well-deserved bubble bath. Order a holiday gift bundle so she can try a few different wines and she'll love you forever. 

5. For your brother working day and night on his new start-up.

It's been a hard year for businesses across the world, and your brother is no exception. His startup is doing well, really well, but it's requiring everything he has night and day. You've barely connected with him this year, and next year will likely be another year going full throttle to get this amazing company off the ground. You want a gift that tells him you're thinking about him and believe in him, even when you can't see him.

Try Copper Cow coffee. This pour-over Vietnamese coffee is easy to make at home and comes in a variety of delicious, organic flavors. No matter how busy his days (or nights!), your brother can make a quick cup of coffee to fuel his work. Try the Best-sellers Bundle or splurge on a Coffee Club gift subscription. He'll be ready to start the new year off right! Try

Bonus: this woman-owned, sustainably sourced company is definitely worth supporting, just like your brother's startup.

6. For your extra-tidy, extra-thoughtful mom.

Every time she calls (which is often), she's cleaning something around the house. She tells you all about her bunco club or your dad's latest project while she does the dishes, mops the floors, or dusts the shelves. Lately she's been in overload adding Christmas décor so her grandkids have something to see over Facetime when they call. Her house is warm, cozy, and always immaculately clean. While you could never achieve this level of housework perfection, it's nice to know you have a neat and tidy house to visit at the holidays that's brimming with holiday cheer.

Try Whoa Nellie cleaning supplies. This delightful company, handmade in Iowa, offers non-toxic cleaning supplies, cleaning accessories, and a few personal care products in pretty colors and patterns. Their Swedish dishcloths are as practical as they are festive, just like your mom. Send her a holiday cleaning bundle and she'll be all ready to welcome the new year.

7. For your always-drunk-at-Christmas uncle.

At this point you can't imagine a holiday without Uncle Bobby saying something inappropriate while drinking liquor out of Aunt Shirley's favorite holiday mug. You still have no idea how he manages to hold down a full-time job and take the family to Disney World every summer but props to him for pulling it off. You need a gift as unconventional as he is.

Try a Viking horn cup. He'll be delighted by the unconventional shape and history, while Aunt Shirley can finally get her mug back. Instead of picking a fight with your dad, he will feel ready to set sail with the Norse gods. 

 

 Looking for even more companies with a great mission and fantastic products? Click here to check out a few brands we love and join us in shopping small this holiday season to make the world a better place.

 

Melanie lives near Raleigh, NC with her husband and three kids. She loves hot coffee, good books, and deep conversations. Connect with her on Instagram via @intentional_motherhood

December 01, 2020 — Melanie Allen
Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday

 

Three years ago, Pit Liquor deodorant was born from the desire to find a truly natural deodorant that works. Through hard work, grit, and determination, the company has gone from a kitchen counter to a full-fledged small business. Today, on Small Business Saturday, we want to take a look back at how this small business has grown and where it all began.

Pit Liquor was started back in 2017 by husband and wife Jason and Erica. During Erica's pregnancy with their daughter, Eve, Jason was concerned about the carcinogens in deodorants. They'd been trying various natural alternatives, but none of them worked. One day, he begged Erica to stop using toxic deodorant for the baby. So she slapped hand sanitizer on her armpits and headed out the door issuing Jason a challenge to find something that actually worked. When she got home, she was surprised to find she didn't stink. The hand sanitizer illuminated a new idea: high-proof, drinkable alcohol is less toxic than anything unregulated and potentially made from inedible ingredients.

Always the inventor, Jason thought plain old hand sanitizer was a boring (and not entirely non-toxic) solution to underarm stench. Any friend could tell you Jason and Erica's love for good whisky, so obviously, they turned to whiskey to solve their quandary. Jason began reading medical textbooks about deodorant and had a conversation with their doctor about the topic. He did research, trials, and found a perfect formula all while sticking to a motto to use only ingredients that are safe enough to eat.

Once they had a product and a fantastic name, they started (and completed!) a successful Kickstarter campaign and sit cozy with their patent pending. Three years later with two babies and a Great Dane in the mix, Erica and Jason have turned their idea into a thriving business, selling Pit Liquor online and in select stores, and are growing so fast their warehouse is bursting at the seams.

Pit Liquor has had over 100 media stories written about its products. They've been featured in places like: Playboy, Circa, local papers like the Loveland Reporter Harold and the Coloradoan, and even Michael Symon and Clinton Kelly talked about us on ABC's The Chew. Recently, Erica even appeared on Entrepreneur's show Elevator Pitch to promote Pit Liquor.

With hard work, ingenuity, and a little humor, Pit Liquor has grown into something Jason, Erica, and their team are truly proud of. We at Pit Liquor hope you'll join us to today to support this small business and many more like it. Cheers to quenching that stench and living your dream!

 

November 28, 2020 — Melanie Allen