As you can probably tell from my previous reviews I am a big fan of the lynx brand. I like their very masculine scents and often reasonable prices. Their standard prices can be expensive, but Lynx products are regularly on offer in my local supermarket, so there are always bargains to be had. A lot of my body care products are Lynx branded, and this is no coincidence. I have a number of their shower gels, deodorant sprays and sticks.
One product I purchased a month or so ago is the Lynx Africa Dry, which is an anti-perspirant stick. I always apply a deodorant spray or stick after the shower to maintain freshness, and I like to smell good all the time.
First impressions
There aren't a great deal of original features on first impressions. The anti-perspirant stick is quite basic in appearance, with the typical black body of the packaging finished in jet black. To the front of the stick we have a largely silver label which carries the Lynx branding. The name of the product is clear to read, and we are told that it offers '48h Thermo Protection'. As this is the Africa scent we can see three stripes through the Lynx logo, with two being green and one red. The cap of the stick is also jet black, with ridges to either side to allow you to grip it when removing it. The base of the stick is silver, which can be twisted accordingly to either move the anti-perspirant stick up or down for application.
To the rear of the packaging we have another silver label with black text giving details about ingredients and size (50ml). There is also an image of how to use the anti-perspirant stick, though no actual instructions. Upon peeling back this label I am faced with a whole host of foreign languages, though the English text advises that you do not apply the product to sore or broken skin, along with contact details for Unilever who own the Lynx brand.
The experience
Application of the the product is very simple. You need to twist the silver base of the stick and this will force the cap off. I have tried just removing the cap with my fingers, though I have given in and find this impossible to do! Once the lid is off you will be met with a clear plastic cover for the stick. This plastic cover forces the cap off when you twist the mechanism, so it is quite important that you replace it before putting the cap back on, otherwise you will have to force the lid off using the stick itself, resulting in a messy lid and potentially wasted product.
Once you have got to to the stage where the anti-perspirant stick is visible then you can apply it to your skin. I only use sticks under my arms, though I suppose you could apply them to your chest or other areas which you find are prone to sweating (such as your back?). The stick itself is a creamy white colour, and my first impressions were that once applied to my skin it would be powdery and get all over my clothes. Unfortunately this was the case, and some of my darker clothing can get unsightly white patches on them. This is my first real criticism of the Lynx Africa stick.
The scent is another thing that has let me down. I have used the Lynx Africa Deodorant spray and found the scent to be fresh, with a hint of oranges and spiciness. Unfortunately with the Lynx Africa Dry Anti-perspirant this scent doesn't come across in such a way. Although I find the scent fresh, there just isn't the same punch that the spray offers. This is obviously because it is in a different form (stick and not spray), though it still falls short of my expectations.
Staying power
My experience of sticks are that they generally have more staying power than sprays, and the Lynx Africa Dry stick is no different. I do have to question the '48h Thermo Protection' claim on the front label, though there is no other mention of this anywhere else on the product. I wouldn't say it offers 48 hours of protection, though I do find sticks difficult to remove from underarm hair, so it is quite possible it would still give some protection the day after application, though without the freshness.
My overall opinion of the staying power of Lynx Africa Dry anti-perspirant stick is positive, and although my clothes can be stained with white patches, the protection given is a redeeming feature.
Price and availability
Lynx products can be expensive when they are not on an offer, and I paid £2.39 in my local Boots store. The 50ml size does last a reasonable length of time, and I would expect to get a good couple of months use from this.
Final thoughts
if you use deodorant/anti-perspirant sticks then this Lynx one is worth a try. My concerns are that it can leave white patches on your clothing. The other issue is the scent. This isn't as strong as I would have hoped, though this is generally the case with sticks, and I wouldn't let it put you off too much. If you are looking for an instant hit of scent then you are better looking for a deodorant spray, though the Lynx Africa Dry gives such good protection against body odour it is well worth considering.
