Jean Naté dusting powder on the bathroom counter, a big powderpuff haphazardly resting on the lid, and four purring cats crawling through your legs.
Until last year, that’s the image that body powder brought up for me. It meant turning into my Great-Aunt Millicent.
Well, dusting powder’s come a long way, baby.
Maybe not dusting powder, but the preconceptions behind using it.
Now it means softer skin, a light and alluring scent, beautiful hair, and even new life to old shoes.
I usually use dusting powder after a shower that involved a salt or sugar scrub. Or, I’ll use it after I apply body oil (which we’re going to do tomorrow, because it’s the most heavenly companion gift to give WITH the dusting powder). The oils and powders do double duty at softening your skin, working together like Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder in the Ebony and Ivory video.
We’re going to talk about how to make homemade body dusting powder today, because not only will YOU want it for yourself, but it’s a super fantastic easy gift to make and give to the lovely ladies who grace your life.
There are really only two or three components to body powder: The base powder(s), the herbs you choose (if you choose to include herbs) and an essential oil or two.
First, let’s look at the different base powders you can use.
Homemade Dusting Powder Basics: Base Powders
Arrowroot
This is my favorite base ingredient for dusting powders, though it’s definitely not a must. It’s easily substituted with cornstarch. Arrowroot powder, though, is more silky and fine than cornstarch. It just feels like luxury.
Cornstarch
Probably the most economical and hardest working ingredient you could put in your dusting powder. Cornstarch, for me, hearkens back memories of my dad coating his stinky shoes. That’s my own personal issue, though. It doesn’t have to be yours.
Cosmetic Clay
This offers extra drying powder, and is an excellent addition in small doses to any dusting powder combination you choose. It’s going to help the powder adhere even more to the skin (though in a VERY light layer).
Baking Soda
Again, you’ll want to use this in smaller proportions in your body powder, but it gives extra efficient deodorizing power and it even helps soften the skin a bit.
Other Base Powders for Dusting Powder
- Rice flour
- Corn flour
- Oat flour
- Garbanzo bean (chickpea) flour
Dusting Powder Basics: Ground Herbs and Flowers
You want to use fragrant and/or soothing herbs for your dusting powder – and you want to grind them into as fine of a powder as humanly possible. This will most likely involve a coffee grinder, spice grinder, or superbly efficient food processor.
Great herbs and flowers to consider:
- Rose petals/buds
- Jasmine buds
- Lavender buds
- Chamomile
- Calendula
- Yarrow
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Cinnamon (or nutmeg) in small amounts
- Cocoa powder (in small amounts)
- Neem powder (extra deodorizing)
- Vanilla beans (insides scraped out, or beans cut into larger pieces to “steep” in the powder)
After you’ve ground the herbs/flowers that need to be ground, you’ll want to sift out the bigger parts. First, I use a fine mesh sieve, and then I’ll do another pass with a cheesecloth.
Dusting Powder Basics: Essential Oils
Essentially, you can choose any oils your little heart desires. I LOVE giving dusting powder/body oil gifts to people who’ve made it very clear what kind of scent they’re drawn to. My friend Turu, she loves jasmine and vanilla. Easy. My mother? Last year, I made her a spicy cinnamon/nutmeg/vanilla dusting powder/oil combination.
So plan your scents ahead of time, and then choose your essential oils and herbs based on what you – or your gift recipient – likes.
Great essential oils to choose from:
- Vanilla
- Lavender
- Sweet orange
- Ylang-ylang
- Jasmine
- Rose otto or absolute
- Rose geranium
- Frankincense
- Sweet basil
- Cardamom
Quick Dusting Powder Tutorial
Now, I’ve given you all the tools you need already to make your own body powder, and you have three sample recipes below, but if you want to take matters into your own hands in terms of scent combinations, here’s a quick guide.
- For one recipe (which will last months and months) use 1 to 2 c. base powder like any of the flours, arrowroot, or cornstarch.
- Use 1/4 to 1/2 c. baking soda and/or clay.
- Use no more than 3-4 Tbsp very finely ground herb/flower.
- Use no more than 50-75 drops essential oil (single or in combination) – depending on how fragrant you want the powder to be.
- Add all dry ingredients together and stir with a whisk to combine.
- As you’re adding the essential oils, continue stirring with the whisk. You don’t want the oils to clump.
- If you do end up with clumps, just break them up with your fingers. (This part is fun, and might make you look forward to the clumps. Like popping bubble wrap.)
Put the powder in a decorative jar, martini shaker, or homemade crafty container with very small holes poked in the lid (I’m working on one right now using a metal cylindrical container that used to house cookies).
Apply after showering to slightly damp skin, or right after applying body oil.
Or, use it as a dry shampoo.
Or, pop a little into some shoes that have started to smell a little off – totally refreshed. It’s awesome.
Luxurious and Easy Dusting Powder Recipes
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Simply Lavender Dusting Powder
- 1 c. arrowroot powder
- 1/2 c. cornstarch
- 1/4 c. baking soda
- 3 Tbsp very finely ground lavender buds
- 70 drops lavender essential oil
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk. Add essential oil one drop at a time, whisking as you go. Break up any clumps that may form with your fingers. Transfer powder into a small container and use after bathing (or give to a friend)!
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Cinnamon Spice Dusting Powder
- 1-1/2 c. arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 1/4 c. cosmetic clay
- 1/8 c. baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 20 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 10 drops clove essential oil
- 30 drops vanilla essential oil (optional)
Combine all dry ingredients a large bowl with a whisk. Add essential oil one drop at a time, whisking as you go. Break up any clumps that may form with your fingers. Transfer powder into a small container and use after bathing (or give to a friend)!
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Refreshing Peppermint Dusting Powder
- 1-1/2 c. arrowroot powder or cornstarch (or a combination of the two)
- 1/2 c. baking soda
- 3 Tbsp very finely ground dried peppermint leaves
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- 20 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
Combine all dry ingredients a large bowl with a whisk. Add essential oil one drop at a time, whisking as you go. Break up any clumps that may form with your fingers. Transfer powder into a small container and use after bathing (or give to a friend)!
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Quick Buying Guide
One of the most common questions I get is where I buy my supplies. Well, I have several sources.
My favorite place to purchase supplies is at a local natural foods store. They almost always have everything I need, though they don’t always have the best prices. However, I LOVE supporting local businesses, so most of the time I suck it up.
But I just recently found this awesomely inexpensive store called iHerb.com (use code OZE706 at checkout for $5 off your first order!) where I’m going to start buying my essential oils, carrier oils, and clays (they had the best price I could find on European clay anywhere.) They also have arrowroot powder at a decent price, though you should be able to find it in just about any supermarket (where all the Bob’s Red Mill flours reside).
I’ve checked Amazon for most of the things I use, and it just seems like a jumbled mess – you have to buy from several suppliers if you’re ordering different products, and it just doesn’t feel consistent.
Anyway, that should get you started on your quest.
What do you think?
Dusting powder a good gift idea this year?
If nothing else, you could give it to your great aunt. She’d LOVE it.
Learn From My Fail: Home Remedies For the Stomach Flu
Dear Betty,
Since Caswell Massey fled brick and mortar, I have been at a loss for dusting powder. I Ann not old but wonder why no one but me seems to want my armpits not to be glued together by my deodorant.
I just made a batch and aside from how messy it was,a and how h hard to pack in my vintage Yardley powder can, and how many mixers I gummed up (other sites said to use a blender or food processor, but neither of mine were having any parts of that, it worked great, is slippery as lard, and even my swipe finger on the phone here is smoother.
Thanks a lot, and as soon a I get to a real computer I’ll write some more.
Meg
Could you use it as deodorant? I’m currently putting lemon juice under arms and it’s working very well for odour, but it doesn’t prevent wetness. I was thinking I could maybe put this on over the lemon to keep me dry?
Do you have samples and do u wholesale my # is 404 499 4262 ask for mr.Wright
I know this sounds slightly silly, but I guess this could not be used on the face (clogging pores and all), could it?
Where is the best place to buy essential oils. I puchased a vanilla that just smells terrible. It smeels more like an extract than vanilla.
For the cinnamon essential oil, is it the leaf or the bark…or does it matter?
I am in love with this idea, all the females in my life are going to be getting matching body oil and powder this year! I also love the idea of sewing the powder puffs, that’s amazing, but since the holidays are almost upon us at this point I will just order mine here this time around: http://www.rachelssupply.com/powpuff.htm
They have all different sizes including an 8″ puff that looks fantastic and a bunch of containers for the powder. I am totally excited and can’t wait to get going with this!
I’m loving this post – definitely going to try over my winter break.
Also, not sure if you sew, but I found this post on making your own powder puffs – looks simple enough.
http://madisonavenuebaby.blogspot.com/2008/10/make-your-own-powder-puff.html
Okay. This rocks my world. I don’t sew, but this is totally convincing me to try.
I can see it now: Personalized powder puffs. One for every reader.
OMG.
How exactly do you use the dust with the oil? if you use the oil first and then the dust, I believe it will be kinda sticky, no? 🙂
Two things. Well, three, but.
1) Is it a possibility to use mica in these recipes? You know, for a little extra sparkle? I love me some sparkle.
2) In lieu of a big poofy powder puff, which I will admit does hold quite an appeal, why not use a blusher or powder brush? Not a powder puff, but something. (Or just, you know, use your hand.)
3) This is going to be the most awesome year of Christmas presents EVER. The girls are going to love me.
Oh yeah. Okay. Three things back atcha:
1. You definitely could use mica in them. How pretty, and what a great idea! I’ve actually never worked with mica, so I can’t really give you much advice, but if you try it, let me know what you do/how it goes!
2. I’ve actually thought of the big blush brush idea (which I should DEFinitely look into more), but I’ve found the hand thing works just fine. It just seems so much fancier to use a powder puff. Sigh.
3. Yay! I think I’ll just take Christmas off this year and live vicariously through yours. Give the girls a smushy hug for me!
Thanks for this recipe! Do you know which essential oils and herbs are safe/better for pregnant women? Lastly — this may be a dumb question — why can’t I find vanilla essential oil anywhere? Vanilla is my favorite scent and I can’t find it anywhere. Does it have a secret code name?! Do I just use vanilla extract? Very lost on that one…. lol.
Okay, first of all, I don’t even want to approach the realm of offering advice on essential oils during pregnancy. There are TONS of opinions – all differing – on that. But here’s a website that gives some insight: http://www.earthyfamily.com/arom-caution.htm – there’s a list of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy at the bottom of the page. Hope it helps!
Next – vanilla essential oil. You can find it here: http://www.iherb.com/Aura-Cacia-Vanilla-in-Jojoba-Oil-0-5-fl-oz-15-ml/17893?at=0
The thing about vanilla EO is that it’s EXTREMELY expensive in pure form. Like, stop your heart expensive. However, I use that particular brand/product above and think it’s pretty darned good. You get lots of vanilla goodness without the horrific price tag. It’s just vanilla EO mixed with jojoba oil.
That being said, if I’m ever rolling in the dough, one of the first things I’ll buy is pure vanilla EO. Heaven.
Very cool! We had jean nate all over our house, too. It dates us 🙂
So, when you grind the herbs, what do you use to do it?
And where do you get the nice poofy puffs?
I could totally do this! Love it! Of course, I have no essential oils….!
Jean Nate and Old Spice. Totally my grandparents’ house. I wonder what our grandkids are going to associate with our houses. (GRANDKIDS??)
Anyway, I use my food processor to grind my herbs, which is why I have to sift and sift again to get all the bigger pieces out. No doubt if you have a spice or coffee grinder, one of those will do a MUCH better job at giving you powder faster.
The poofy puffs have been an issue for me. I went in search of them for weeks last year before Christmas (and giving body powder to family) and couldn’t find ANY big ones – except on Amazon, and I wasn’t really thrilled with what I found there. I searched again last night, hoping to include a great find in the post, and came up empty handed AGAIN, so if you run into one somewhere, let me know about it.
I find, though, that the powderpuffs aren’t really necessary – you just sprinkle a little on your skin and rub it around. Works just fine for me!
In the spirit of powderpuff searching, I came up with this search result – several of the puffs are listed as singular buys (no powder attached). Is this what you were looking for?
Thanks, lady! I’m still having a hard time finding a “big” powderpuff. Most of the ones I can find are the little ones (like you use on your face).
Hmmm. If we’re looking for them, there has to be other people looking for them, too, right? Wish I knew a single thing about manufacturing and branding. I’d make Crunchy Betty powderpuffs!
I’m a newbie to the site and I was just skipping through articles and I’ve been on here for about an hour and a half now. This is my first (but certainly not last) comment on here so I sincerely hope it’s helpful. I found 5″ powder puffs on Amazon.
http://amzn.to/2aWvTZB
I’m not sure if you were looking for bigger but I figured I would post it just in case. LOVE this site btw. You WILL be hearing more praise from me in the future I guarantee it. and Eventually a food covered face to see as well! 🙂
Woot! Thanks for the link, Allie! That is DEFINITELY the size I’ve been looking for – I’ll have to check it out more thoroughly (and probably order some for Christmas gifts) Thanks!
Haha! I love that your first comment here ever you were so ridiculously helpful. Way to make an entrance!
Can’t wait to see your beautiful mug with food on it. Seriously. Do it. DO IT!
Mwah1
Victorian Trading Co. has 5″ powder puffs – soft as Kittens!
I have also done some online searching and it seems that Target (US) and Sears (Canada) sell powder puffs for body powder but I haven’t seen them in person so I couldn’t say how puffy they really are (I never trust the picture on the package LOL).
Very excited! There was a dusting powder from lush that my sisters and I use to love. I am now on the hunt for fancy jars. I’m going to be needing some new EO’s. Vanilla is calling me.
I actually spent some time contemplating the vanilla powder by Lush last night when I was hunting and hunting for a large powderpuff.
Vanilla EO is just about my favorite – and it’s always my favorite base scent to put in powder and body oil. When we do the body oil post, you’ll see why.
These sound truly fab! And I love using the big fluffy powder puffs… so unabashedly girl-y!
Let’s see… now all you need are two more cats and you’ll be all set! 🙂
Oooh. You wouldn’t happen to actually know WHERE to get the big fluffy powder puffs, would you? I’ve been on a mission for a year to find a good one, and keep coming up empty handed. I’m not fond of any of the ones I’ve found on Amazon, but those seem to be the only ones I could find.
Last year before Christmas, I must’ve hunted through 20 different stores that carry bath and body products. And NOTHING.
Sorry, haven’t a clue where to find good powder puffs. 🙁 The only one I have right now is a sparkle-powder one from MK (was a gift). Let me know if you find any though!
Next best thing are those really big fluffy make-up powder brushes. Some of those are really soft and wonderful. Good luck with your search.
Ok, I feel like a kid at Christmas. First the recipe cards, now this. I was planning on making some homemade beauty gifts this year and was trying to figure out what to make. I’m a terrible gift giver, I try, I just can’t ever think of the right thing. And here you are, saving the day and making my life easy. It’s like having a personal assistant who knows my wife better than I do (you know what I mean). Love it! Can’t wait for tomorrow. Can I peek?
I was terrible at gift giving before last year, too! Mostly because I’d spend two or three months in absolute anxiety about whether or not I was choosing the right things. I’d make three trips to the store, returning and exchanging things, because I couldn’t ever decide.
However! All that changed when I started making things at home. I think it’s the thought and heart that goes into it, y’know? There’s no indecision once I’ve picked something out. And I figure the recipients HAVE to love it. Who doesn’t love a homemade gift that’s useful and thoughtful? I mean, it’s not like we’re making ashtrays out of clay here. Right?
I love this! Thank you, yet again!