Dusting perfumes are the new trend

On the one hand, we’re drawn to certain items because they help us feel like part of the majority. On the other, we’re fascinated by uniqueness - by what makes a product special and different from everything else. That’s exactly why we’re always eager to try new things. Think of spray blush, pH-reactive lipstick, or lilac setting powder. We might already own these products in our make-up collection, but not with those particular features that spark our curiosity. Among the latest innovations that have piqued our interest are dusting perfumes—a product category that stands apart not only from traditional liquid perfumes but also from solids and fragrance oils we’ve known up to now.

A brief history of powder perfume

Historically, dusting powders were far more common than the alcohol-based liquid perfumes we’re familiar with today. In ancient Egypt, for example, finely ground resins and spices were mixed with inert bases like clay or talc to scent the body and living spaces. These powders didn’t just smell pleasant, they often had cosmetic or even ritualistic functions. Over the centuries, the use of powdered perfume evolved in many forms. During the Renaissance, “dusting powders” were particularly fashionable for dusting wigs and bodies, made with starches infused with floral essences like lavender or rose. With the advent of distillation and the discovery of alcohol as an ideal solvent for essential oils, liquid perfumes gradually took over as the most popular form of personal fragrance. Still, powder perfumes never completely disappeared and today, they’re making a comeback thanks to new technologies and viral attention on social media.

What exactly are powder perfumes?

Today’s powders are far more advanced than just perfumed starches. Cosmetic technology has made it possible to create sophisticated formulations with multiple benefits. First of all: no alcohol, which makes them ideal for sensitive skin. They often contain ingredients like powdered silk, tapioca starch, or rice powder, giving the skin a velvety, silky-smooth texture. Thanks to innovative fragrance encapsulation systems, some powder perfumes release their scent gradually over time, promising greater longevity. Recent research shows that these products are formulated with a careful selection of natural and sustainable ingredients, such as modified corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, and minerals like mica and silica as powder bases. As we’ve previously revealed, “waterless beauty” is a growing trend in the cosmetics industry, focused on developing products with little or no water content. Powder perfumes fit perfectly into this movement, with ongoing efforts aimed at creating effective and sensorially satisfying formulations without using water, for a more sustainable and forward-thinking future.

The Emanuela Biffoli case

On Instagram and TikTok, countless creators have been testing the new gourmand fragrances from the brand Emanuela Biffoli. Featuring sleek, silver-toned packaging reminiscent of a small jewelry box, these dusting perfumes are applied with their own delicate puff and promise to be “a fragrant treat that rests on the skin.” From vanilla to caramel, almond, coconut, and bergamot, this mix of versatility and elegance has truly won everyone over. These perfumes have proven to be a go-to essential, perfect to keep in your bag for any occasion—whether it’s an afternoon at the office or an exclusive party where you’ll leave behind an irresistible trail. Have you tried them yet?