DIY Perfumed Body Powder

Cornstarch has long been a remedy for absorbing sweat and odor, so when combined with a favorite perfume, it makes a wonderful and inexpensive body powder that'll keep you dry and smelling fabulous all day. I received this Henri Bendel Persian Lime & Pepper eau de parfum as an early birthday gift from my mother and I just can't get enough of it; naturally I had to make myself some body powder using it, some cornstarch, and a cotton ball. So simple!

DIY Perfumed Body Powder
2 cups pure, food-grade cornstarch (find it in the baking aisle at the grocery store)
Perfume
Cotton ball

The first step is to saturate the cotton ball with the perfume. This will take about 30 to 40 spritzes, but don't worry, it's a surprisingly small amount and won't drain your perfume bottle (unless it was almost empty to begin with).  Next, drop the saturated cotton ball into a large, clean glass jar with a lid and pour the cornstarch over it, making sure not to fill all the way to the top (leave about 4 to 5 inches of space). Put the lid on and shake the jar vigorously. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 3 days, shaking once or twice a day. Now it's ready! You can transfer it to a pretty jar or container and use a powder puff to dust it all over your body.


photography by Angelica Golden