Make Waves Refillable Antiperspirant Review: I Tested Every Scent. Here's My Honest Take
Disclosure: Make Waves sent me four scents to review. My opinion is never for sale. This post contains affiliate links.
Post updated: 3rd of May 2026
I've been paying more attention to what goes on my skin lately. Not just my face — the whole picture. Working in pharmacy for a number of years will do that to you. You start reading ingredient lists differently. You notice what's in the products most men use every day without thinking twice, and sometimes you wish you hadn't looked.
So when the refillable antiperspirant space started making noise, I was genuinely interested — not just in the sustainability angle, but in what these brands were actually putting in their formulas. Most conventional antiperspirants are effective, but they come loaded with ingredients that raise questions, and they come in plastic that gets thrown away every few weeks. Make Waves caught my attention because they were addressing both problems at once: a proper antiperspirant formula built around premium natural ingredients, in a reusable applicator with fully recyclable refills.
I tested all their scents across a month of daily use. Here's my honest take on whether it delivers on the promise.
What is Make Waves?
Make Waves is a UK-based grooming brand built around one central idea: you buy the applicator once and refill it indefinitely. The refill capsules are made from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic, the formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from alcohol, parabens and phthalates, and the whole operation is 100% UK made.
What separates them from competitors like Wild and Fussy is the antiperspirant option. Most refillable deodorant brands offer natural deodorant only — which controls odour but doesn't stop sweat. Make Waves offers both: a natural deodorant version and a proper antiperspirant formula that combines high-performance sweat protection with premium natural ingredients including shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamins A, C, D, E and K. For men who need genuine sweat protection rather than just odour control, that distinction matters.
The applicator and refill system
The applicator itself is solid, well-made, and available in a range of colours. Mine felt premium in the hand — nothing flimsy about it. The design is clean and minimal, which suits a bathroom shelf without looking out of place.
The refill process is straightforward once you've done it once. You twist the base 90 degrees, separate it from the body, drop in the new refill capsule until it clicks, and reassemble. First time it might feel slightly fiddly. After that it takes about ten seconds. Each refill lasts four to eight weeks depending on how much you use.
One thing worth knowing: the refills are Make Waves specific. They won't fit a Wild or Fussy applicator and vice versa. That's an industry-wide issue with refillable brands right now, not unique to Make Waves, but it means once you're in the ecosystem you're staying in it.
The scents — tested properly
Sandalwood was my personal favourite. Warm, woody, masculine without being heavy. It's the kind of scent that sits quietly rather than announcing itself — exactly what you want from an antiperspirant. I kept coming back to this one.
Bergamot & Amber is more complex — fresh citrus top notes from the bergamot and mint, settling into something warmer with cinnamon and amber. It's a sophisticated choice if you like a scent with a bit more character.
Coconut & Vanilla is the one my wife gravitated towards immediately. Warmer, softer, slightly sweeter. Not what I'd reach for myself but genuinely well-crafted and miles from synthetic.
Pink Pomegranate surprised me. I expected something overtly fruity and it's actually fresher and lighter than the name suggests. My daughters claimed this one.
The scent range has grown since I first tested the brand, and Make Waves have continued adding options while keeping quality consistent. Each one has clearly been properly considered — there's no filler in the lineup.
Does it actually work?
Yes. Performance was consistently good across the month. No breakthrough sweating, no odour issues, and the protection lasted all day without needing to reapply.
One complaint that comes up in other reviews is a greasy residue on clothing. I want to address this directly because it came up in my research and my experience was different — I shave my armpits, which I'd recommend to any man. It gives the formula a clean, flat surface to adhere to and I had zero residue on clothing throughout the month. If you're using it on a full growth of armpit hair you may find the texture sits differently. Worth keeping in mind.
The formula goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and doesn't leave white marks — which is a significant practical advantage over some competing products.
Pricing — is it worth it?
The starter pack is £12, which gets you the applicator in your chosen colour plus one refill. After that, you receive three refills on a rolling subscription — delivered every two, three, or four months depending on your preference — at £6 per refill, so £18 per delivery. You can change your scents, skip a delivery, or cancel at any time with no commitment.
Is it more expensive than a supermarket deodorant? Yes. Is it more expensive than the premium conventional brands like Dove Men+ or Mitchum? Barely, once you factor in the refill cycle. And you're getting a better formula and zero single-use plastic in the process.
What I'd tell a friend
Make Waves is a genuinely good product. The performance is real, the scents are well-made, the sustainability credentials are legitimate rather than greenwash, and the refill system works once you're past the first attempt. If you're already spending on grooming and you care even a little about reducing waste, it's an easy switch to make.
The scent range has expanded since I first tested it, and the direction of travel is good — more options without any compromise on the quality of what's already there. It no longer feels like a niche eco brand asking you to make sacrifices for the planet. It feels like a proper grooming product that happens to be sustainable.
Try the Sandalwood….it’s amazing!
My rating: 9/10
Strong performance, genuinely good scents, an applicator built to last, and a refill system that actually works.
Jerome.
Frequently asked questions
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Both, but as separate formulas. You choose when ordering — the antiperspirant formula stops sweat, the natural deodorant formula controls odour while allowing your body to sweat naturally. They're not the same product, so make sure you're ordering the right one for your needs.
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Between four and six weeks depending on how much you apply daily. Most users land somewhere in the middle.
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In my experience, no. The formula dries quickly and doesn't leave white marks. Some users with heavier armpit hair have reported a slightly thicker feel on application — shaving the area resolves this.
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No. Refills are brand-specific and not cross-compatible between Make Waves, Wild, and Fussy.
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If you're already spending on quality grooming products and want to cut single-use plastic from your routine, yes. The per-refill cost is competitive with premium conventional antiperspirants once you're past the starter pack.
Unboxing Video. Make Waves
About the author: I'm Jerome, founder of Dapper & Groomed. I've spent the past 13 years testing and reviewing skincare products, fragrances, grooming products, and men's lifestyle gear on this blog and on my YouTube channel. My reviews are never approved or previewed by brands — just honest, real-world testing from a dad who's been at this since 2013.