I don't use this all the time (I prefer more natural crystal deodorants for everyday) but when I need something stronger, longer lasting and more reliable I always choose MUM 'shower fresh' with the pale blue lid. This is the most effective yet most gentle antiperspirant I have ever come across and I love that the formula and the packaging have remained the same for decades. This is always so affordable, concentrated (the bottle lasts ages) and is always reliable for me. It takes a bit longer to dry as most roll ons do but once it's on I don't have a problem with this staining clothing, feeling dry or cakey or irritating my incredibly sensitive underarms or cause skin darkening as many do. The smell is fresh and clean and just like it quotes on the back of the package 'won't clash with perfume' I find most deodorants overwhelmingly scented with sporty or fruity scents and I like something subtle to smell clean but not interfere with my fragrances during the day.
This is even free of parabens which is important to me and even though it's aluminium containing I don't use it long term and save this for when I need a heavy duty deodorant (I am not particularly sweaty and can get away with natural ones most days) but this always does it's job when I need something heavier.
Haha, I hope my mother never reads the review title....
But seriously, growing up the ads for this always mentioned 'I Can't Get By Without My Mum'. And for once the advertising was 100% true! This has been my go-to deodorant for so many years now it's actually hard to remember when I first started using it. Maybe when I was 14? 15? When puberty hit for sure. And I'm 99% sure it was the deodorant my mother would use too.
Over the years I've not noticed much of a change in the packaging, it's a simple tube, with a dome head, like a lot of deodorants. It used to come in a variety of scents, but these days there only seems to be two, the purple and the blue one, aka 'Active' and 'Shower Fresh'. Both are lightly scented, but I prefer 'Shower Fresh' as it's so subtle and doesn't interfere with any perfume I'm wearing.
Application is a simple swipe with the roller ball top, it dries super quickly, and I've never noticed any marks on black clothing. But does it do the job? Does it what! I had no idea how good it was until I started swimming with my daughter and would forget to reapply after the lesson. By 5pm I was pongy! Usually I don't notice any whiffiness from my pits, even the next day. This stuff is gold!
Affordable too, usually more affordable than other brands. As for other brands, I've tried them, but so often they sting, they don't work well, I don't like the scent and I always end up going back to my old favourite, because to be honest I can't get by without my Mum.