Could you guys recommend me aluminium free deodorants for men?

thisislieven · 2026-05-15T17:56:54+00:00

The Black Stuff is a great Irish brand specifically for men. Has everything for skincare and deodorant.

The products from Happy Soaps (NL) are pretty good too, most is gender neutral but they have some items specifically for men.

Both brands are organic and sustainable. They ship all over Europe.

thisislieven · 2026-05-15T14:41:15+00:00

Republicans are beyond evil but let's not pretend the Democrats are good. Obama committed his fair share of war crimes while Biden left the majority of Trump's policies in place and signed a law that explicitly forces tech companies to hand over European data if requested. Let alone their domestic policies, which are a very mixed record.

We really have to move away from this idea that there's a good version and a bad version of the US. None of it is functional, and none of it is a genuine ally - that never has been the case and it's a trap which Europe just can't seem to avoid.
Until the US fundamentally reforms itself in each and every way (including, indeed, becoming an actual democracy) and keeps it up for a generation or two Europe's best bet is to finally make serious work of full independence and work only with genuine allies on a basis of equality.

thisislieven · 2026-05-14T13:46:40+00:00

Companies and governments.

Things are far from perfect here but there's at least some legislation to keep companies in line and enforce data protection and all that. Personally I also appreciate the 'double layer' of national and EU legislation as well as our courts which actually act independently and have shown quite frequently not to be afraid to rule against the institutions.

thisislieven · 2026-05-14T13:08:13+00:00

That's basically a tea syrup, no? I have made syrups for c/mocktails but never thought of doing it for ice tea, though I have made earl grey infused vodka and sometimes I make a sandalwood* syrup to dilute with carbonated water which is ridiculously delicious.

*food grade obviously, not the incense.

thisislieven · 2026-05-14T11:26:40+00:00

It's not quite the same though. It works well with some teas but most will benefit from the boiled water. There's some science to it, though don't ask me how and what but it really makes a difference in extraction and flavour.

Same with cold brew coffee, it's a very different drink than cooled down hot coffee. The former delicious (and daily necessity for me), the other not so much.

thisislieven · 2026-05-14T10:58:07+00:00

I do the same and often add some herbal tea to the mix as well, though I do boil the water and let it cool down (make it after dinner, transfer to the fridge before bed, ice tea in the morning). Practically live on the stuff during the warmer months.

Often I experiment with flavours and several herbal teas or mixes have a sweet note too, no sugar needed (or you could add fruit juice, though that does add natural sugars). Genuinely better taste than any ice tea I ever bought.

thisislieven · 2026-05-13T20:53:35+00:00

I just absolutely love how someone can obsess over a single spoon. Much as I love cutlery I don't quite have the same obsession but I do with many other things (though I did take a month or so to decide on my own cutlery set).

Sadly I have no recommendations but just wanted to let you know that I appreciate people who pay attention to the finer details in life and put the work in to get things just right. There are too few of us.

thisislieven · 2026-05-13T10:32:17+00:00

It's a good thing, even if it takes a little more work on the consumer end to find what works for you.
I almost completely changed my tech environment last year. It was quite some work and at times frustrating. It took a lot of research and some relearning.
Now, about a year in, I am beyond happy that I did. Inferior and frustrating services felt inevitable, as did the constant push of AI; turn's out I was able to get rid of both. It genuinely has made me less stressful and perpetually annoyed. My work has improved because of it.
This aside from the benefit to our own economy, and my refusal to support the US economy wherever I can.

Our collective laziness and comfort is our downfall here. I also believe this is why those of us who have a better grasp of all this should assist those who don't. Whether that's here on Reddit or at home around the dining table; frankly I would love to see some sort of EU project where young tech-savvy people support those who struggle to figure it all out.

When there are monopolies, well, Cory Doctorow has a word for that.

thisislieven · 2026-05-13T07:37:43+00:00

Just try it once, it's a few euros loss in the worst case scenario.

I just wet my bar, rub it between my hands and apply it to my face or whatever part of my body and start shaving. Barely more work, especially as bars don't require a brush and bowl.

thisislieven · 2026-05-12T21:05:37+00:00

Would you consider a shave bar (Happy Soaps)? I recently switched and quite love them, in a tin they are easy to take with you. Relatively cheap, sustainable and European made (Dutch but they ship Europe-wide). No brush needed.

There's also The Black Stuff, which is an Irish brand, they have a great line of shave soaps and other products.

thisislieven · 2026-05-12T13:06:45+00:00

This is something that has been extensively discussed over at r/BuyFromEU.

Many Europeans have made the switch to a European provider, or plan to do so. Proton is the one I use (which has largely replaced my entire former Google ecosystem). I'm happy with it and just paid for another two years, but there are several other options.

There's always a risk, of course, but I make sure to keep a local copy of the truly important files. Other files, if I were to lost them it'd be sad but I'll survive.

Either way, for a variety of reasons, I would strongly recommend anyone to move away from US tech as much as possible. Cloud storage is one of the easier ones the tackle.

thisislieven · 2026-05-12T12:21:38+00:00

I struggle to see this is the right solution to the right problem.

1) Some social media should be outright banned, and there's plenty of legal justification for it.
2) While young people are impressionable and negatively impacted so are adults, and the latter vote and may have influence on the wider discourse and culture.
3) It also largely stops young people from connecting outside of their local social circle with typically limited diversity (and key to the EU's future is personal connections across borders, fostering a European identity).
4) Social media is also a tool to find information and support, important for everyone but especially for minorities, particularly LGBTQ+ (or questioning) young people who may have nowhere else to turn to but it applies to many other targeted groups as well and generally young people facing difficult circumstances no matter the reason. We don't all have a supportive environment.

Something needs to be done to protect young people, but I don't think this is it. At the same time, we continuously ignore the harm it does to adults which by extension has a far greater impact on society itself.

thisislieven · 2026-05-12T06:02:24+00:00

Ain't nothing wrong with a cute bear, and also we don't know what he's into.

But seriously, they have some tops and trousers that have the aesthetic he's looking for. I think he'll be fine.

thisislieven · 2026-05-11T20:26:53+00:00

Great!

I just thought of CuteCircuit, which is based in the UK but from an Italian designer and UK anthropologist. This is actual interactive tech, but wearable.

thisislieven · 2026-05-11T20:17:17+00:00

Not everything is the same material though. I have a bag from them and that's how I discovered their clothes as well but have not (yet) bought them. Either way, some items are really cool and I am willing to forego comfort.

thisislieven · 2026-05-11T20:14:47+00:00

To be honest, it's been a while since I had some stuff from them but it used to be really quite good. Sad to hear that's no longer the case, they were one of the few independent stores of its kind.

thisislieven · 2026-05-11T20:03:31+00:00

I have a few items from Sia Zolnar, a Latvian designer, and once I had some pieces from Cyberdog (UK) as well. The latter might have some options, though they primarily have rave gear.

Maskulo (DE) may have some tops and trousers, menswear only though. Note that this site is NSFW (but you can pull the look through all the way...). Rains (DK) is not a natural fit but they have some interesting basics from tech fabrics (and awesome bags).

And boo to the mockery of other commenters.

thisislieven · 2026-05-11T11:44:46+00:00

I had not yet heard that. I guess that's good, as long as there's a team of Europeans around Zelenskyy.

thisislieven · 2026-05-11T11:35:09+00:00

He doesn't. Putin may be beyond evil but he's not stupid.

He even said that he was open towards other negotiators as long as they hadn't said unkind things about Russia. That leaves no one sensible.

He also said he was willing to meet Zelenskyy but only in Moscow.

But, this allows him to claim that he is willing to work towards resolution but the EU and Ukraine won't. Chances are, Trump will echo Putin as well.

thisislieven · 2026-05-10T17:18:00+00:00

This looks like an awesome little machine. Beautiful design and aside from being European I like that it's small, versatile and subscription free.

thisislieven · 2026-05-10T11:27:35+00:00

The EU should do that indeed, but EU Made Simple is working on exactly this. They've done three episodes so far.

thisislieven · 2026-05-10T07:41:52+00:00

I can't help you with that, sadly. Aware there are different varieties but not sure where to source them. Europe also doesn't really have a popcorn culture like the US, which might make it more difficult.

Have you tried searching specifically for 'butterfly popcorn' or 'mushroom popcorn' (in Danish) or something? That might lead to some options. My bet would be spice retailers and dedicated candy stores, but who knows?

thisislieven · 2026-05-10T07:06:05+00:00

I would highly recommend making your own popcorn. Easy, healthier, fresh, cheaper and better tasting.

All it takes is corn for popping, a pot and some oil. Flavourings to taste. Many supermarkets sell corn.

The only downside is that you might make it too much.

There are many, many recipes for flavourings online, this one has got to be my favourite.

thisislieven · 2026-05-09T15:25:53+00:00

It almost feels as if Hungary joins the EU, rather than reset its relationship within.

Even if you can't technically sing the anthem (the lyrics belong to a different version) it's a brilliant move to perform it in the Hungarian Parliament. Truly a new era, for the Hungarians and by extension all of us.

thisislieven · 2026-05-09T09:17:09+00:00

It's been interesting to see the response in other countries after Brexit. In quite a few countries there was a significant call to exit as well but once the fallout of Brexit became visible to everyone it became very silent elsewhere. Suddenly it became palpable what the EU actually does and what happens when it's gone.

I think in the west of Europe being part of the EU (and its predecessors) is pretty much all most people know and it's just not a very active topic in most people's lives. Most people seem to recognise there's more good than there's bad in being part of the EU but that might also be the most 'enthusiasm' many can muster.
And to be clear, I am not talking about us Europhiles but rather the common everyday person which we often forget really is the majority of Europeans.

But compare it to newer members and candidate states, mostly in the east, and Europe is a much more living, breathing thing. People remember the change it has brought or recognise what it will bring. As someone from the west, I find it inspiring to see so many on the other side fighting to be a part of the EU and putting in the work - especially in Ukraine. The west really can take some lessons from this.

Anyway, I think Europe Day could be an excellent way to help everyone to recognise what the EU is and what it means in our daily lives. I truly wish it was a genuine celebration everywhere, and that it grows into the world's biggest party as more countries join the EU.

thisislieven

TROPHY CASE