This past week I’ve had a touch of flu, the kind that kicks off with aching muscles, sensitive skin, and chills. For a day, the only time I was comfortable was in a hot bath. And what helped keep me comfortable before I pulled on the layers and slipped into bed was a gentle patting of scented bath powder.
I only use bath powder four or five times a year. It can be messy, and powder that’s talc rather than cornstarch has health risks. (Try not to inhale talc-based powder, and keep it away from your lady parts.) Most often after a bath my skin wants moisture, and I reach for lotion.
Bath powder has been out of fashion for years, and it’s not easy to find good quality bath powder these days. Powder went from being a necessary part of hygeine to an optional indulgence when effective anti-perspirants went on the market. But when I crave a silky, maternal presence, bath powder is the answer.
Bath powder makes your skin as smooth as silk charmeuse. Clothes slide over powdered skin. Voluptuously built people might appreciate the combination of dryness and lubrication powder offers limbs and breasts, especially when it’s warm out or when you’re sleeping. Plus, scented powder gives just a hint of perfume. (As you might expect, the fragrance is going to be powdery, even if it’s not a powdery fragrance to start with. I have a canister of Lanvin My Sin bath powder, and even it smells powdery.)
I’ve learned to apply powder with care. Most powder comes in a tub with a velour puff or in a canister with a shaker on top. (I’ve craved a Caron swan’s down puff for years.) If you don’t throw powder around in front of a fan, it won’t explode into the air like in cartoons. Simply pour a tiny amount — seriously, half a teaspoon is enough to powder a torso and both arms — into your palm and smooth it onto your skin. Powder is also terrific lightly sprinkled into slippers or smoothed on the soles of your feet before putting on shoes.
Again, whether or not the powder is talc or cornstarch, keep it out of your underwear, and don’t fluff it around so that you accidentally inhale it. When powder is thinly applied like this, it won’t stick to clothing and sheets, and it doesn’t dry out your skin.
These days, bath powder isn’t part of most companies’ regular fragrance line-ups, but a few lines, including Santa Maria Novella, still offer it, and I’ve found lots of unopened boxes of bath powder at estate sales.
Do you ever use bath powder? Do you have any tips to share about using it?
I love bath powder! My hands down favorite is Pecksniff’s Ginger Flower & Patchouli. I wish I had it as a perfume. It is a golden creamy scent with hints of ginger and patch. The other products in the line do not smell like the powder, so don’t be put off if you’ve tried the hand lotion or shower gel and were not impressed. I’m on my third canister! This is proper talcum powder. From the reading I have done, I am VERY comfortable using talcum powder produced in the last 10 years… but I know others feel differently.
Like you, my favorite way to apply it is like a lotion–a splash on the palm of my hand rubbed gently on the inside of my elbows and the soles of my feet.
I haven’t heard about Pecksniff’s powder. Thanks for the recommendation! I also didn’t think about putting it on the insides of my elbows, but that would be so nice in warm weather.
Ginger Flowers & Patchouli is my favorite shower gel scent but I’ve never spotted it in powder. Where do you find it? I too wish they would make a perfume. It’s so pretty.
It definitely sounds pretty!
I get it from Amazon usually. I liked the shower gel, but I am totally addicted to the powder. The ginger and patchouli are accents to a creamy scented powder. So if you are looking for a power house, this isn’t it.
That sounds nice. I’ve seen the hand soaps and lotions around at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s (I am a fan of the hand soaps and have Tuberose & Orange Blossom in my kitchen and White Peach and Gardenia in my bathroom), but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the powders. Not really sure if I’ve even seen the shower gels, or if I just wasn’t paying attention.
I’m often blown away by the good stuff that shows up at TJ Maxx–although a lot of what’s on the shelves isn’t anything to write home about.
I have a canister of vintage Rochas Femme powder that smells like heaven. Who still makes perfumed powder? I can only think of Jean Nate and Guerlain (Shalimar). Sometimes I don’t like a fragrance but love the scent of the related bath products – Arpege is an example of this.
I’m jealous of your Femme powder! Fabulous.
I bet if you check back on today’s comments, you’ll find a few modern powder recommendations.
Cheers!
I don’t love Santa Maria Novella bath products. I spent some time with them during travels in Italy but, for me, they feature a musty note that I find off putting.
I wonder if all the fragrances have that musty bit?
I love bath powder. My favorites are Santa Maria Novella ones, Oscar and Shalimar but today I tried something else at Ogilvy’s and I can’t take it out of my mind, it is the powder of Acqua di Parma Colonia, comes in a shaker style container and it smelled great for summer.
Oh, Acqua di Parma Colonia would be great powder for summer!
I have been relying on Lush Silky Underwear powder for years to stay dry and fresh in the summer. It has a pleasant jasmine and cocoa butter scent, and best of all it’s talc-free.
That’s a great recommendation! Jasmine plus cocoa butter–I must smell this.
I second Elizabeth’s recommendation. It’s lovely.
Well, it’s a must-try for me, then!
This one is wonderful!
Another vote in its favor!
Order placed! I have always wanted to try this but I forget about it every summer.
There’s a Lush store here in town, and I can’t believe I’ve never been in it! I will remedy that right away.
i have Shalimar bath powder-de-lish!
Nice!!
Agent Provocateur use to have a lovely bath powder…but I am not sure if they make it anymore. I have a small decant of it left and I try to not use it..but it is so good 🙂
It seems like bath powder would be a natural part of their line! Maybe it didn’t sell well, though. I’m glad you have some left to cherish.
I spy on eBay, that they still have a few left, so maybe I should stock up 🙂
I see on their there is no beauty products at all..I wonder if they are discounting all their perfumes..that would be a shame, if so. Their first perfume and L’agent are truly great masterpieces in my opinion 🙂
Oh, maybe the line is being discontinued? Better grab what you can if you love it.
I think I might…but it would be sad to see it all be discontinued 🙁
I’m surprised. I thought it was a popular line. Oh well.
Love powder, and have enough to stock my own store. I have everything from good ol’ Johnson’s Baby Powder to higher end stuff. I’ve been enjoying the Lay Primrose powders this summer, especially Celadon and Royal Extract. Celadon is very cooling, Royal Extract smells sort of rich without being overpowering.
I’ve never heard of that brand, either! I’m getting a good powder education here.
Yardley powder in the tins is still about…
I bet those tins are adorable, too.
Indeed they are, or were. It looks like they have changed to cardboard canisters. I regret that I never bought more than one tin of Iris. I find it so cooling in the heat. Sadly I haven’t found it in the new packaging,
Love these ideas today. Inner elbows is an excellent idea.
Too bad on the cardboard canisters! I love the idea of a cool metal tin in my hand. And iris sounds lovely.
I like powder in the summer. I have an Italian, lightly scented one I got at Bigelow. I used to have Aliage bath powder when that was my scent in the 80s. Best benefit was it scented the bathroom beautifully. I mentioned earlier I plan to take the Avon Somewhere bath powder my mom had hanging around forever. I think it was mine to begin with. The Colonia one sounds fabulous…
I love the sound of the Aliage bath powder! It’s so rare to find powder as part of a scent’s line anymore.
It really was great. Very well scented so added lasting power in the same way layering with scented lotion would.
Found a Freesia scented talc in my Mom’s cabinet, so I’m snagging that one too…
Nice! Freesia is perfect for spring.
I love L’Air du Temps powder, much more than I love the actual perfume!
I can imagine how well the two go together, not only in smell, but in “idea”!
I love bath powder, especially since I moved to sticky Georgia! I got hooked after I discovered a vintage My Sin powder at an estate sale, but when I learned that talc has health dangers, I started making my own with a recipe I found on the internet. Put some cornstarch, arrowroot powder or unscented body powder in a jar. Soak a cotton ball in whatever fragrance you want (I’ve done Omnia, Ivoire, and Molinard Violette.) Then shake it up good, once a day for a week. Voila! You have cheap powder in a fragrance of your choice, AND an excuse to buy some of those cute covered containers they always seem to have sitting around at estate sales, too…
Hey, this is genius advice! I get arrowroot powder in bulk at my co-op, and you go right to my heart with your talk of vintage powder containers. I bet some vintage Arpege powder would be fabulous….and now I can make it.
Oh, thank you for the instructions! I have a little vintage Tabu powder, but I haven’t worn it in years. Like Angela, I have arrowroot powder handy. Off to see what sample I can use up in a good cause!
Love this article! Estee Lauder still makes a lovely dusting powder for Youth Dew. It’s one of those items they’ll never display, but they still have it if you ask for it. Comes in a beautiful box with the fancy “EL” monogram and a powder puff. I bought one a few years back and rarely use it, but once in a while, after a nice hot bath and if I’m in the mood to put on a fancy silk bathrobe, it makes me feel extra feminine and old-school to dab some on my shoulders and arms.
Hey, that’s a good tip! I guess bath powder is still old school enough to be kept behind the counter. I do love my Youth Dew bath oil.
that was the only bath powder I ever owned…I bought it because my room mate used it and it always made our dorm room smell so lovely..funny thing is once I had my own box at home I never applied it and about twenty years later into the trash it went….I wish I would have saved it!
There have been a few things I’ve hoarded but not used, then I was sorry. I’ve been trying to make a point of using my best perfume often.
I own two already mentioned: Youth Dew & Shalimar
I’ve always wanted to try the Vetiver Bath Powder from Santa Maria Novella.
One on my list for years is Habit Rouge Talc by Guerlain, but I’ve never seen it.
I’ll keep my eyes open for you for the Habit Rouge powder. You just never know….
I have some EL Pleasures in a powder and it is lovely. And now I’m craving Shalimar powder! I do find powder rather drying but I’ve always applied with a puff. I’ll try your method; it makes sense. It takes a bit of care to apply powder without cartoon explosions. That’s the great thing – it’s a luxurious ritual that forces you to slow down and be mindful.
Do people find that powder loses its scent as it ages? I’m curious about this. I have some Joy in powder form but it is all but scentless, about 20 years old.
That’s a good question. My My Sin powder still smells of the fragrance, but My Sin packs a lot of body.
Yes. I bought some Chanel No. 19 talc that was virtually scentless.
That’s a good warning.
Oh that’s not good, especially if it was newish. I love No 19 but I’m skeptical as to how it would translate to bath and body products. I tried the body lotion once and didn’t like it at all. 🙁
I’ve only tried some of the No. 5 stuff, and that scent seemed to translate well into soap and lotion, at least.
I bought No. 19 powder on eBay a couple of years ago, and it smells wonderful. No idea how old it is, but the 8-oz box was still in its sealed box when I got it.
My at-least-35-years-old (I inherited it from my great-grandmother) Tabu powder still has some scent left. I think it was stronger 30 years ago.
Tabu is such a powerhouse!
I think it’s important to note that talc is NOT hazardous in and of itself. Some unscrupulous companies have in the past used talc contaminated with asbestos. High-grade talc is completely harmless. Anyone citing the recent ruling of talc’s hazards is urged to read the fine print: a COURT made that decision, against the best scientific advice available to them. Would you trust a machinist to fly your plane? Then why trust a lawyer with your health decisions?
I think talc is awesome. One of my favorite memories as a teenager was using Avon’s Weekend talc in the summer. And Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder is as much of a signature fragrance as (insert your iconic favorite here: Youth Dew, Chanel 5, Anais Anais). I’m a musician, and my band mates and I always have baby powder on hand for sweaty palms just to keep the bass, banjo, guitar, fiddle necks slick during a warm show.
Asbestos! Yikes!
You’ve just added some cachet to powder, too, by saying that musicians wear it. I will feel that much more bohemian the next time I dust on some Melagrano powder.
You know, I was just idly looking at the Chanel No. 5 powder on Sephora . . . It’s tempting in the hot weather! Plus, you’d get the boost of composure that comes with the Chanel insignia.
And the scent! I love No. 5. It didn’t happen overnight, but now I adore it.
I do love scented bath powders. The Yardleys are nice, especially if you are into soliflores. The most inexpensive I’ve ever used were the Avons in small cardboard canisters. Unfortunately they changed the formula some years ago to “shimmer powder” for each scent. Didn’t see any shimmer, but it sure was scratchy. Powder ain’t supposed to be scratchy.
I will have to look for Shalimar powder. Mmm.
As for talc, glad to hear I’m no longer inhaling asbestos. Then again, it’s all about not inhaling 😉 Any fine dust can ruin your lungs. Factory bakers are prone to “white lung” from the flour.
I’m not into shimmer or scratchy in bath powder. Too bad about that.
And along with everyone else, I’m jonesing for some Shalimar powder, too!
I bought the Avon Evening Musk powder a couple years ago and was so disappointed in the scratchiness 🙁
I’ve seen the Shalimar powder on Fragrancenet, but it was a bit spendy for me. (($50 or $60, if I’m remembering correctly.)
That’s a little more than the Santa Maria Novella costs, just to give a price comparison, but certainly not cheap.
I’ve enjoyed the comments and now I find myself craving powder! I’ve never liked wearing scented lotions but I could do powder! In the 1980s I had a shake container of Calandre powder. I want to smell No5 and the Estee Lauder powders, and the Pecksmith mentioned here. Thanks everyone. I hope you’re feeling better, Angela.
It’s hard for me to imagine the scent of Calandre with powder, but I’d love to smell it!
Thanks for asking about me. I’m coughing up the last bits of my flu and feeling much better, thanks.
What a great post, and a new way to explore scent for me. I found Crabtree and Evelyn talcum powders (talc free) and they are very reasonably priced and have lovely containers. Contemplating the rose one or one that is called Summer Hill.
It might be worth a try! Even if you don’t like it, you can always sprinkle a little in your sandals.
Summer Hill is a lovely scent, though I have not tried it in powder form.
Rose and talc seem like a natural combination.
Such a lovely post. I’ve never used bath powder, although I’ve wanted to try the Lush one. Might give it a go this summer.
I do own a Caron powder puff, though!
So luxurious! Maybe this will be the year that I buy one.
I really enjoy bath powders. I use them alone usually but sometimes I would powder after a light lotion on warmer days to take away the tackiness (not unlike setting your foundation).
I adore Estee Lauder’s powders in Youth Dew and Beautiful, Shalimar and Penhaligon’s and Floris powders are nice also. 🙂
Oh, I never though about using powder that way! I’ll have to give it a try. And that’s a nice tip on the Floris powder.
I’m really late commenting here, but I’m sneaking in some “catch up” on NST before swim team takes over my life for another day….
I love bath powders. I have a small collection and the Shalimar and Chanel No 5 are simply beyond compare as the silkiest I have ever experienced. The No 5 particularly smells more like the edt than any other of their bath products. The most beautiful in packaging is the Caswell & Massey Elixir of Love #1 which comes in a gorgeous and very substantial cobalt blue glass jar with a feather puff – and it smells great too. I also have bath powders for Prada l’eau ambree, Jean Nate, Emeraude, and Bottega Veneta which is really wonderful. I am always thinking of picking up more whenever I can. I have vintage metal canister powders from Crabtree & Evelyn in their Damask Rose and Rosewater Eau Fraiche. I love dusting powders in very hot humid weather and also if I take a shower before bed. I hope every year that Cartier will release a dusting powder for Baiser Vole which would be simply divine!
You’re a real bath powder aficionado! Your description of the No. 5 makes me yearn for some, and I second your idea on Baiser Volé powder. It would absolutely be divine!
Bottega Veneta bath powder? When/where did you find it? I just checked the BV website and found no mention of it, sadly.
ooh, I wonder if I still have my Sand & Sable powder around somewhere? a nice cool dry jasmine. I also loved Lush Ginger powder – I think that’s discontinued. And I also have and enjoy Hové vetiver, but it’s a little strong.
Oh my gosh, Sand & Sable powder! Fabulous.
My apologies for being so late to the party, Angela. I’m a true fan of powder and have a cupboard-full, thanks to eBay. Chanel no5, no19, and no22 (two boxes and a shaker! – because one has to stock up), Aliage (again two boxes), Faberge Woodhue, Fidji, Norell, l’Aimant, and Lenthéric Tweed. Writing up this list makes me realize that I’ve gone overboard, especially with the duplicates and all the companion body lotions – but I do use them nearly daily. And I could always sell on the ‘bay as well as buy . . .
You truly are a bath powder champion! That’s amazing! If I’d known it, I would have interviewed you for this post.
Which one is your favorite?
The favorite, as always with fragrance, depends on the mood of the day, but all are of good quality. No5 and no19 are excellent, to my nose exactly the character of the perfumes. No22 tends more to the incense side (base notes) of the original scent, which balances the no22 lotion I have, which is super-sweet, all no22 top notes. The Fidji and Aliage powders are true to their originals, Fidji comfortable and luxurious while Aliage is sharp with galbanum. Really, they’re all enjoyable – but taking the inventory of the cupboard was embarrassing. To borrow a quilters’ term, I’ve achieved SABLE: stash acquisition beyond life expectancy.
SABLE! I love that term. I am definitely SABLE-d out with perfume.
Great phrase, isn’t it, and of course so applicable to many perfumistas’ collections. Much used among aficionados of the textile arts – I don’t really know who coined it first, knitters or quilters or . . ?
It’s perfect.