How to Stay Fresh Through the Holiday Rush

Staying fresh is usually the last thing on everyone’s mind during the holiday rush. Who even worries about smelling like newly washed laundry while they’re slaving away in the kitchen or getting papercuts from wrapping gifts? This is why this guide is essential: good hygiene and all its side effects are non-negotiable, whatever the season. So, here are some tips to help make freshness your body’s default setting, haggardness be damned.

You can’t eat, drink, or be merry if you’re dehydrated as a prune. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps your organs function and do their thing, which includes flushing out toxins and regulating body temperature. While the link between BO and hydration is still unclear, the latter is nevertheless a good idea, especially if you’ve been indulging in Christmas cocktails.

If sweat from your nape area has been extra pungent, check your shampoo and conditioner! Some may contain fragrances and oils that start to smell funky when mixed with sweat. You might want to consider switching from a fruity or floral scent to a green or neutral alternative. If switching products isn’t an option, just rinse your hair thoroughly and make sure it’s 100% dry before heading out. 

Yes, you are free to keep or remove your armpit hair as you please. However, if you struggle with underarm odor, you might want to keep your pits bare or at least trim your axillary fuzz once a week. Hair in your kili-kili can trap sweat, oils, and bacteria that contribute to BO. It can also get in the way of thorough cleansing. Worst case scenario? You may even develop a bacterial infection.

Pro tip: Book a waxing or laser hair removal appointment before the holiday rush reaches its peak. If you anticipate needing another session closer to Christmas or New Year’s Eve, book that in advance as well.

Another key to staying fresh is keeping every nook and cranny of your body clean and dry. The latter may be impossible in a tropical climate, but the former is definitely within your control. Take your time in the shower and wash hard-to-reach areas like the back of your neck, the back of your ears, your underarms, your singit, and the spaces between your toes. Make sure to pat dry before getting dressed.

A deodorant keeps body odor away, while an antiperspirant controls sweat by temporarily plugging the sweat glands. Using a formula that combines both can solve a lot of stinky problems with a few swipes – what’s not to love?

For powerful odor protection and skin brightening benefits, try Rexona Advanced Brightening Roll On Deodorant Anti Stain. It uses sunflower seed oil, and vitamins C, F, and E to soften your skin while protecting you from odor.

If you want your BO shield in serum form, use Rexona Dry Serum Deodorant Vit C + Anti-Stain. A pea-sized amount helps reduce dark marks and keeps your underarms fresh and dry. Bonus: It won’t stain your precious holiday outfits!

Finally, if you prefer powdery scents, swipe on Rexona Roll On Powder Dry Brightening, which delivers 72 hours of sweat protection – perfect for when you have to pull a festive all-nighter.

No, not your Bergamote 22 and Gentle Fluidity Gold. This tip refers to your everyday products – shampoo, soap, lotion, hair mist, body spray, laundry detergent, etc. If you wish to take your freshness to the next level, take your time to curate each one to create an overall scent that’s unified, pleasant, and long-lasting. Avoid clashing variants like vanilla coconut and Moroccan rose. Follow your nose!

To smell clean, you have to be clean. Many people have a habit of keeping not-so-dirty shirts hanging in their closets to wear for another day. Big mistake. While they may seem clean, these items would have already absorbed some oil and sweat from your body. They are essentially breeding grounds for bacteria, so don’t be surprised if they stink easily. Before re-wearing a shirt, give it an honest sniff. If it smells just a little bit, chances are, there’s a lotta bit of bacterial growth in there.

Don’t let your personal hygiene fall to the wayside amid the holiday rush. Follow the tips above to stay fresh and smell great throughout the season’s chaos and merrymaking.