The Lush Dusting Powders Are the Chicest Way to Smell Sweet and Feel Fresh In Hot Weather
Plus, they stop chafing and stickiness.
There’s nothing I love more than an old-school beauty hack. Powder over red lipstick to make it matte, lip color as blush, a dab of perfume behind the ears, it feels so incredibly special to utilize these time-honored rituals, especially in an era where trends and aesthetics move at the speed of light. This is particularly why I’m such a big fan of dusting powders—lightweight body powders designed to absorb sweat, reduce chafing, and leave skin softly scented. After DIY versions went viral on TikTok last year, it’s like Lush Cosmetics heard my cry to get in on the fun and decided to answer.
While the website boasts eight scents in its lineup, in stores, there are four Lush dusting powders to choose from: Super Milk, Sticky Dates, Let the Good Times Roll, and Sleepy Dust. Dusting powders are particularly well-suited for the summer months as they are a great way to keep the body dry (especially in crevices like under the arms and breasts) without compromising your scent. Plus, while they are a throwback to a vintage era of cosmetics, some improvements have definitely been made, and the ashy white cast they could sometimes leave behind is long gone.
I’ve gotten my hands on the four dusting powders available in Lush stores and have been having a blast testing them. I’m certain that they are about to become my new beauty secret weapon to stay dry and smell sweet, so if you’re trying to figure out which one to add to your summer scent stack, keep reading.
The Ingredients
All of the powders have one or more of the following as the main ingredient: tapioca starch, cornstarch, and sodium bicarbonate (also known as baking soda). All of these ingredients act as moisture wickers, which makes these dusting powders particularly well-suited for use in the summer months when everything feels sticky, humid, and sweaty. They also contain magnesium carbonate, an anti-caking agent and a perfume carrier. The scents Stick Dates and Let the Good Times Roll also have shimmer in the formula.
The Scents and Packaging
The four scents that are available in store are some of Lush’s most popular across the brand’s profile, and it’s not hard to see why. The notes for each are as follows:
- Stick Dates: Vanilla, carob, benzoin, and syrup
- Super Milk: Vanilla, benzoin, coconut, and litsea cubeba (also known as may chang tree, a sweet, lemon-like note)
- Let The Good Times Roll: Caramel, butter, and cinnamon
- Sleepy Dust: Chamomile, lavender, tonka, benzoin
As for the packaging, each powder comes in a recyclable cardboard box with pre-cut holes to make dispensing the product easy. There is also a removable lid that the product should be stored with when it’s not in use.
The Formula
These powders are extremely finely milled and rather fragrant. As with any new cosmetic product, I highly recommend patch testing before using it all over your body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are generally averse to fragrance in your beauty products.
A little goes a long way with these powders. I typically use a fluffy brush to work the product into my skin after the rest of my oils and lotions have settled. For the shimmer shades, the glitter is there but barely noticeable, which makes them perfect to wear every day without feeling like a disco ball.
On their own, the powders' scents last about an hour, so I wouldn’t use them to replace my perfume. However, when paired with a full fragrance routine, including your own layering concoction, expect these powders to enhance the notes of whichever perfume you pair them with, especially if the scent profiles are complementary.
As for the sweat-wicking capabilities of these powders, be mindful that if you have hyperhydrosis or otherwise sweat excessively, these, or realistically any dusting powders alone, will not keep you dry. I use these as a final step to my fragrance routine, and I apply them to anywhere that may get a little sticky in the heat: my neck, my cleavage area, my lower back, and so on. I don't use a ton; usually, I just use a loose, fluffy brush, swirl it in the powder for a few seconds and then brush it over my skin. However, many people apply dusting powders more liberally, as well as all over their bodies, so at the end of the day, the choice is yours for how to incorporate these formulas into your routine.
The Takeaway
After testing these powders in my daily routine, I can confirm that I am deeply obsessed with them, and they absolutely will be vital to help me stay dry and smell good throughout the summer. As good as they smell, they’re also functional, which is my favorite type of beauty product. Of the four, I’d say my favorite is Let the Good Times Roll, but to be honest, I really enjoy them all and will likely switch them out based on my fragrance combinations each day.
Shop More of My Favorite Lush Products
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Karma is one of my favorite scents from Lush, and this set features it in three different formulations.
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