Please help me- I’m smelly!

[stinkey6]

Sort of lighthearted thread, but also very serious and genuine!

I work with horses and permanently smell of them- usually a combo of poo, ammonia, horse sweat, fly spray and so on. Sometimes I don’t smell it but my friends and family do. I think it clings to my hair- I shower everyday but obviously before I’m meeting friends/working/doing something non horsey I’ll change my clothes, shower and get rid of any horsey smells but I can’t wash my hair every single day so I wonder if that’s where the smell comes from or if it’s just clinging to me in general.

does anyone have any nice go to sprays or products they use? Not for a replacement for showering and getting freshened obviously, I just want to treat myself to a nice smell that actually lasts as the ones I’m using don’t last very long.

I really like sweet/sugary/fruity products- I absolutely love lush snowfairy spray and body products but unfortunately it’s available at xmas only , and I used to love the body shop strawberry shower gel (in a big round tub) because the smells actually lasted and I adored the scent whereas the products I’m using now don’t seem to last or make a difference even when I’m showered, out my horse clothes etc

so what’s your favourite body product/spray/general product? Preferably something sweet and sickly like the producers I mentioned haha

For everyone who said wash your hair everyday, I can’t because I have awful eczema and my dermatologist has told me categorically not to wash everyday, unfortunately got to follow their advice on that! I wear a liner/sealed hairnet over my hair so it’s covered and isn’t affected as much as possible by the smell of the horses and my hat.

I know a few people said not to be that person that tries to cover a smell with products etc, like I said in my OP I’m not doing that! Im just looking to find some nice products to use because I’m a bit out of touch with it all now.

Yes, very similar! That’s my I said in my OP I can’t wash my hair everyday, probably should have explained why but I thought that would be enough.

Nothing is going to mask the smell on your hair, so you need to just wash it every day. There isn't another solution I don't think.

my Eczema is controlled at the moment so just wanted some nice products to use in my skin, to be fair it’s never really been worsened by products (that I’ve noticed) and I’ve done patch testing and it was fine, so I’m up for trying some new products now and I just wanted reconmendations because I’m so out of touch with it all lol. My dermatologist is happy for me to try new things and see how it goes but I cannot wash my hair everyday in case it starts up again

just sick of smelling like steroid creams, diprobase and horses which is why I wanted recommendations!

I’m not asking for solutions though! I’m asking for product recommendations for people’s favourite things to use!

I have horses and work. I shower every day before work inc washing hair (I towel dry, brush and tie up - looks fine as I can be informal for work). I use wood pellet bedding which is far better than straw which stinks. I own two Equidrys and wear one over my tatty horse clothes and cycle them. Otjer tham that I don't really care if I smell of horse, apart from the pee it's a nice smell 😂

For lingering smells, shower gel will not cut it. You will need good old fashioned soap, and a good moisturiser to make up for its drying effects. Ditto wash hair every day, and get a really good conditioner.

You could always perfume your hair too.

Do you cover your hair when working with horses? That might stop your hair getting saturated with the smell.

Oh, I also have a nasty patch of dermatitis on my scalp and changed to Polytar shampoo and its loads better. Don't even need conditioner.

Polytar, bar soap (proper bar not Dove) - I currently have a French patchouli one - then deodorant and a squirt of perfume and clean clothes. That's as good as its going to get!

I do all that! I have a wardrobe in my tack room with most of my clothes and jackets and I get changed back and forth at the yard, or if I can’t and I have to come home I get changed in the mudroom without coming into the main house. I bring home my horsey clothes in a sealed bag in the car and wash it seperately. It’s all stored in separate wardrobes and drawers. I never mix riding/general clothes.

Disposable blue gloves are your friend

My equidry is my actual lifesaver! Got one last year and couldn’t believe I hadn’t got it sooner, I love it

Strawberry poo 🤣🤣

I already use latex free disposable gloves under my warm gloves!

Wow op I don't bother with any of that

Maybe I stink 😂

Brilliant thank you! Just desperate to try new things haha.

Sorry but the only way with horsey smell is to shower and wear separate clothes to the yard than to work etc. Also don't leave horsey smelling stuff in your car etc!

Then apart from washing hair every day I'm not sure what ypu can do. Deodorise your hat and use Batiste dry shampoo?

No I bet you don’t! I just have a non-horsey bf who doesn’t want everything smelling like the stables so have to take extra effort, lol.

yeah I do that already 👍

Oh god my worst nightmare 😂 good luck

My dh and all my kids ride thank god

😂

Rinse hair in cider vinegar on non wash day?

As suggested above, try wearing a hat or scarf for a few days and see if it picks up the smell. If it does, then you know it’s your hair. Also only have “horse clothes” that you take off as soon as you get home, and ideally air out side or wash.

I remember when I realised that “smoking jackets” (from old films where posh men go to the billiard room after dinner to smoke), weren’t an affectation. But a way of keeping the smell off their clothes, before they go to rejoin the ladies.

My ex used to wear a boiler suit when he worked on oily engines.

Hi OP, I have horses, dermatitis and thick curly hair - not a great combination! I started using Koha shampoo bars and I put Moroccan oil on my hair to condition it. It is the only thing I have found that doesn't dry my hair and scalp to dust. I also rub some almond oil into my scalp occasionally to give it a deep treatment. I still use polytar shampoo if I feel myself getting too itchy but I find I use it a lot less since switching to a shampoo bar. They are pricy but they last a long time.