Rant & Rave: Scented Powders

Share: Tell us what you love and hate about scented powders!

my answer: I wish that they weren’t scented. I just don’t see a real need for them to be, and it seems like some will love the scent, others will hate it and buy it anyway… I’d rather no scent!

20 Comments

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Sabriel Avatar

I’ve had my eye on the rose scented finishing powder by Jurlique. I love the smell of roses, and I think it would be nice.

But that’s a special case, an un-tinted makeup product where the scent is the selling point.

For a pigmented powder product, I’d rather the scent be faint or non-existent, just enough to nullify the corn-starch smell.

I once experimented with making my own dry shampoo using corn starch, and it took months for me to get the smell entirely out of my hair. I’m not a huge fan of that smell now.

Sophie Avatar

No scent! Its a nice touch to add, but for people with sensetive skin ( like me) it can be so irritating to the skin. I can used benefits blush because of the scents 🙁

Sasha Avatar

Every time I use my coralista I inhale deeply with surprise and delight at the smell. I always seem to forget it’s scented lol.

Lauren Avatar

hmmm… I can easily see both sides of this. There are certainly products I’ve stopped using because I didn’t like the scent. For a powder or a product you put all over your face it can be very distracting.

But then, on the other hand, Guerlain Meteorites…. sure, they’d be nice without the scent, but the scent, to me, is really what takes it from a great product to a to-die-for luxury product.

So I say, when scented powders are bad, they’re really bad, but when they’re great, they’re WONDERFUL.

Mariella Avatar

By this, I’m guessing you mean scented face powders, not body powders. I don’t usually have a problem with fragranced anything and so I don’t mind it. A while back, a friend came to stay and as we kissed/hugged hello, she said that I smelled really nice. I was wearing that loose Coty face powder – the one that a lot of people think smells “old fashioned” or “old ladyish”. Well, my friend and I ARE old ladies (though we still act like girls, especially when we’re together) but it was a really nice comment and I have started enjoying the smell of the Coty powder when I do wear it.

Mariella Avatar

…oops. I did mean to add, though, that for those who are bothered by fragranced products on their skin…who react badly to it, etc., I would prefer that companies left the fragrance out of the powder.

Rae // theNotice Avatar

Hmm. Six months ago, I’d have said no scent, hands down — but then I met Clarins’ Palette Eclat, and everything changed. 😛

For most blushes and setting powders, I don’t think there should be a scent. That said, the inclusion of a well-blended fragrance to a “luxury” finishing powder (something that’s more about the design than becoming a daily staple) can be quite lovely!

Tuss Avatar

I would never buy a scented powder. I’d rather not buy scented foundations either, like the ones from Chanel are way too smelly even though the scent isn’t particularly bad.

Ellen Avatar

Oops, wrong article! I love Guerlain’s scented powders, but I also die for the candied violet scent. I could definitely live without though, especially since they are so hit or miss.

alyson Avatar

i agree some things i love, some scents i do not.. i am not sensitive to scents at all though but can see how others might be.

rebecca Avatar

When they work, they work really really well, but it’s so hit and miss sometimes. I happen to like the Guerlain violet scent, and I love my pressed Meteorites and intend to buy the loose ones when I have money in my budget. But I can see how it would totally turn someone off. I wish that companies would either just make things unscented or offer an unscented option for those of us that don’t like or are sensitive to fragrance in our products.

KaseyCannuck Avatar

I’m so surprised that companies don’t offer unscented options. Do they not know how much business they are losing because some people can’t use their products?

Julia Avatar

For the most part, I like scented powders (unless the scent is overpowering or unpleasant). One time, I went back to return Lancome’s Dual Finish powder, because the sales person had given me the unscented version instead of the regular one (oh, noooo!) One of many reasons I love Lancome Dual Finish powder is because it smells so heavenly. Everyone hugging me always comments about that subtle, wonderful scent. Lightly fragranced powders certainly make me happy whenever I apply my makeup 🙂

Stacey Avatar

Caron face powder…rose…..yummmmm. Speaking of which, what happen to those international bloggers who use to be on this website….that French blogger also mentioned Caron.

Sacrebelle Avatar

I usually love scented powders as I’m such a perfume maniac.I can tolerate very heavily scented products. I’m fine with non scented, but I would prefer scented product if I like the scent. My rant is not so good scented powders. Sometimes they just stiiink! And if I hate the smell I can’t use it since I can smell even lightly scented eyeshadows that I’m wearing for hours after application.

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