Dusting powder is a wonderfully nostalgic treat. It’s not a strictly necessary grooming ritual, but the act of patting a fragranced powder onto the body with a fluffy puff can make anyone feel like the flawlessly beautiful star of a 1930s film, even without a bias-cut satin gown or an Art Deco dressing table. Of course, the use of talc to scent and soften the skin predates Hollywood by a few centuries, so it seems appropriate that some long-established merchants are keeping its tradition alive. Penhaligon’s is a perfumery founded during the Victorian era, and Colonial Williamsburg is the recreation of an eighteenth-century city; appropriately enough, both offer body powders scented with violet fragrance.
Penhaligon’s Violetta perfume, created in 1976, is a soliflore with crisp, green top notes above a clean violet center and a mossy base. However, the scent of its complementary talcum is simpler and sweeter: the Violetta powder (shown above) has a pure, delicate floral aroma. It’s a candied-violet fragrance, which might remind you of the old-fashioned Chowards violet candies if you have ever tried them. Penhaligon’s powders are sold in canisters with shaker-tops; to use Violetta, you can either shake the powder directly onto your skin or else use a powder-puff to apply it. (I found an affordable lambswool puff at Caswell-Massey, another venerable toiletries merchant.)
Colonial Williamsburg’s Powder of Violets (see image just above), on the other hand, is packaged with its own puff, in a square cardboard box printed with a decorative border. Inside, the powder is contained behind a sealed paper sheet, which can be slit open gently with a knife or scissor. Colonial Williamsburg’s catalogue claims that Powder of Violets, which is sold at a shop on the town’s Duke of Gloucester Street as well as through its website, is based on an eighteenth-century recipe. It is a talc-based powder, with a scent that includes subtle spicy notes, perhaps a warm vetiver, beneath a soft, calming violet. Penhaligon’s Violetta is definitely feminine, but I could imagine a man — an eighteenth-century gentleman, at least — wearing a product like Powder of Violets. Both powders have finely milled textures, and both impart a feeling of timelessly genteel luxury.
Feel free to mention your own favorite dusting powder or violet-scented toiletries in the comments section.
Penhaligon's Violetta Talcum Powder is $20 for 3.5 oz. at penhaligons.co.uk or shoplondons.
Powder of Violets is $10 for 4 oz. at williamsburgmarketplace, and profits from its sale support research, historic preservation, and educational programs at Colonial Williamsburg.
More violets: Borsari Violetta di Parma, The Unicorn Spell by LesNEZ.
Want … that … canister!
Sure beats my tacky, orange cardboard Coty shaker.
You've got me pre-shopping in my head already, Jessica!
I know, isn't it pretty?! However, I should warn you that Penhaligon's will soon be changing the packaging for Violetta, so you should grab one now if you want it. The new powder canister is white with a Victorian-style oval label (cursive lettering, a drawing of violets, etc.) Just letting you know. 😉
Oops, sorry. Must correct myself. I was thinking of another product! The new Violetta canister will be white, with “Penhaligon's Violetta” across the bottom in purple, and a large image of two violet stems with flowers. Still very nice to look at, and the powder has not been changed. 🙂
This sure is the go-to place to keep one's finger on the pulse of change!
I like to be thorough. 😉
great review- violetta is one of my favorite perfumes, ever, and i've always wondered about the powder. i'll definitely check it out now!
Thanks! I own the eau de toilette, too, and I like the way the two products complement one another. I've also been using the powder by itself, after showering at bedtime. So soothing. 🙂
“Colonial Williamsburg” sounds like a puff of Heaven! I love the idea: The woodsy pluminess of vetiver softened with violet or rose.
One of the lovliest powders I've ever used is from “Crabtree & Evelyn”; “Jojoba” has a mild citrusy (limes) herbal (lavender and melissa) scent, with a hint of coconut fat, that smells like really high quality soap of an historic recipe. “Historic” because it smells clean, but not stripped of all earthy qualities. Unfortunately, I think the powder is now discontinued while they continue to carry the rest of the “Jojoba oil” line.
I stopped using talcum powder when a link between it and ovarian cancer was discovered. This may or may not have been discredited, but I never went back to it. Better safe than sorry, I think. I only use a baby powder that contains cornstarch.
Do we know whether Penhaligon's powders contain talcum powder?
I need to revisit Crabtree & Evelyn! I remember that Jojoba line… Too bad they keep discontinuing their more old-fashioned products. The old-fashioned quality was what made them special, for me.
Hi! The ingredients list for the Penhaligon's powder does begin with “talc.” For that reason, I would recommend, of course, that we limit its use to arms, legs, etc. Better safe than sorry!
I know that Lush makes some talc-free powders, which are also delightful.
Thanks for the info, J. Yes, arms and legs (preferably while wearing knickers).
I'm afraid I've never investigated Lush powders (or anything else, actually) since I usually cross over whenever I encounter one of their stores. LOL!
Favorite new powder-“Juicy Couture”. A cute puff and an iridescent powder that has an interesting scent.
Other favorites are: Bulgari, No5, Nanette Lapore, and Floris “China Rose”.
My wife always buys new dusting powders as they come on the market. Consequently, I(we) have sampled several. Unfortunately, many scents do not have dusting powders in their repertoire. Sadly still are those scents that no longer market powders; Arpege, Calandre, Paradis, Ecco etc .
Thanks for your comment, MM. I like some of the dusting powders from Lush, including their Silky Underwear, and Estee Lauder Youth Dew powder is gorgeous. I would love to try No. 5's powder. Maybe dusting powder will really come back into style someday soon!
The Williamsburg Powder of Violets is NOT talc. It is made of cornstarch and kaolin clay.