The Evolution Of Women's Fragrances: Powder Notes Persist

Women's fragrance makers do still offer powder, although it seems that these products are not as popular as they once were. Powders are available from brands such as Elizabeth Arden, Oscar De La Renta, Evyan, Elizabeth Taylor, Estée Lauder, Christian Dior, and Calvin Klein.

Talc-free powders

While it is unclear whether women's fragrance makers still offer powder, there are a variety of talc-free powders on the market.

For those who would rather purchase a talc-free powder, there are many options available. For example, Sephora offers a range of talc-free setting powders, including:

• Laura Mercier Ultra-Blur Talc-Free Translucent Loose Setting Powder
• Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Blurring Talc-Free Setting Powder
• Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder
• Ami Colé Skin Melt Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder
• Lawless Skin-Smoothing Talc-Free Perfecting Powder
• Laura Mercier Real Flawless Luminous Perfecting Talc-Free Pressed Powder
• Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder - Talc Free
• BareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder SPF 25

Other brands that offer talc-free powders include:

• Chantecaille
• Elizabeth Arden
• Oscar De La Renta
• Evyan
• Elizabeth Taylor
• Demeter
• Image
• Philosophy
• Luvmilk
• Haus of Gloi
• Yardley
• Estee Lauder
• Dana
• Revlon
• Jean Nate
• Jo Malone
• Stila
• Benefit
• Lush
• Margot Elena
• Tokyo Milk
• Victoria's Secret
• Urban Decay
• Gucci

Powders for pulse points

Pulse points are areas on the body where the blood vessels are closest to the skin, making them ideal locations to apply fragrance. The warmth of your body at these points helps to project the scent of the fragrance, and you can enhance this effect by applying powder to these areas.

Where are the pulse points?

The pulse points include the wrists, neck, and neckline. Applying scented powders to these areas creates an alluring scent veil. You can also apply unscented powders to the face to finish your makeup or lightly cover the body.

How to apply powder to pulse points

When applying powder to your pulse points, use a soft puff or brush to gently sweep the powder onto the skin. You can use a small amount of powder and build up as needed.

Benefits of using powder on pulse points

Powders can help to control shine and provide a final translucent layer of texture and shine to the skin. They can also be used to set makeup, and when applied before perfume, they can help the scent last longer.

Types of powders

Dusting powders are finely ground mixtures that lightly cover the skin with a silky, gently falling scent. These powders have roots in ancient decorative rituals and sensory ornaments, dating back thousands of years.

You can find scented and unscented dusting powders, with scented varieties ranging from floral and spicy notes to soft, powdery fragrances.

Brands that offer dusting powders

Some brands that offer dusting powders include Elizabeth Arden, Oscar De La Renta, Evyan, and Elizabeth Taylor. These powders typically come in a range of fragrances and can be purchased online or from fragrance outlets.

Making your own dusting powder

If you cannot find your desired fragrance in powder form, you can create your own by combining dense cotton rounds, unscented powder, and your choice of fragrance. Simply soak the cotton rounds in your chosen scent and add them to the powder, shaking well to combine.

Precautions

When selecting a dusting powder, it is important to avoid those containing talc, as it has been linked to cancer. Instead, opt for powders with natural ingredients such as corn starch, arrowroot, or clay.

Powders for the face

Face powders are used to set makeup, control shine, smooth complexions, and deliver a matte finish. They can be either pressed or loose powders.

There are a variety of face powders available on the market, with some of the most popular products being:

• Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder
• E.l.f. Halo Glow Soft Focus Setting Powder
• Covergirl Clean Invisible Pressed Powder
• L'Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Oil Free Foundation Powder
• Maybelline Fit Me Loose Setting Powder
• E.l.f. Perfect Finish HD Powder
• Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder

In addition to these, there are also fragranced face powders available, such as the traditional Burmese cosmetic, thanakha, which is a yellowish-white paste made from ground tree bark. Fragranced face powders are often used to layer and enhance perfumes, with the unscented powder acting as a base for the fragrance to sit on.

When applying a fragranced face powder, it is recommended to apply it before the perfume so that the oils in the perfume do not break down the powder. This also helps the scent last longer on the skin.

Powders for the body

Body powders are still available from a variety of brands, including well-known names such as Elizabeth Arden, Oscar de la Renta, and Estée Lauder. These are often marketed as 'dusting powders' and are often fragranced with classic perfumes such as White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor, or Red Door by Elizabeth Arden. Body powders are typically made from talc, cornstarch, or clay-based ingredients, and are used to keep the skin cool, silky, and fresh.

Body powders are applied to pulse points such as the wrists, neck, and neckline to create a scent veil. They can also be used to finish makeup or lightly cover the body. They are often used after bathing or showering to keep the skin dry and fresh, and are particularly useful in hot weather.

In recent years, there has been a move away from talc-based powders, as talc has been linked to cancer. However, many brands now offer talc-free alternatives, including Gold Bond, Evyan, and R-NEU. These often contain ingredients such as aloe, chamomile, or cornstarch, and are marketed as being hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin.

Some people choose to make their own body powders at home, using dense cotton rounds, unscented powder, and their choice of fragrance. This allows for customisation of scent and the use of vintage or decorative powder containers.

Powders for layering fragrances

Layering fragrances is a great way to create a unique scent that expresses your personality. By layering different types of products, such as perfume spray, body oil, body powder, or body butter, you can ensure that your fragrances linger and evolve over time.

Dusting powders are finely ground mixtures that lightly cover the skin with a silky and gently falling scent curtain. They have been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt and China, and continue to be a popular way to apply fragrance.

When layering fragrances, it is recommended to start with the heaviest fragrance first and layer lighter ones on top. For example, if you are using a bold perfume spray, use fragrance layers that interact well with its notes. You can also apply different types of products for a more persistent scent.

• Apply a fragrant body powder before the perfume so that the oils don't break down the powder as quickly. The powder coating also helps the scent last longer on the skin.
• Use an unscented powder and add your own fragrance. You can soak cotton pads in your chosen scent and add them to the powder, close it up, and shake well.
• Apply the powder to your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, and neckline, to create an alluring scent veil.
• Always incorporate a moisturizer. Perfume has a hard time sticking to dry skin, so make sure your skin is moisturized before adding a perfume spray.
• Start with fragrances in the same olfactory group. For example, pair a rose dusting powder with a moonflower perfume oil, or a woodsy santal perfume spray with sandalwood dusting powder.
• Use contrasting scents for originality. For instance, vanilla adds a sweet creaminess to woody scents, while citrus adds brightness to any floral fragrance.

Some popular dusting powders on the market include:

• White Diamonds Dusting Powder by Elizabeth Taylor
• Red Door Dusting Powder by Elizabeth Arden
• Baby Powder by Demeter
• Oscar Dusting Powder by Oscar De La Renta
• Passion Dusting Powder by Elizabeth Taylor

Frequently asked questions