DUSTNG POWDERS

Men, women and children alike love the soft, luxurious feel of a silky dusting powder against clean skin. Body powders feel great after a bath or shower, or after sports and physical activities. Natural dusting powders are easy to make and have important advantages over similar products on the market.

Make your own body powders using all natural ingredients such as fine grain flours, starches and cleansing clays. An excellent base for a natural body powder, with white clay added. Rice starch and oat starch are pure, fine white powders which add elegance and 'hand feel' to powders. Fragrant essential oils add their clean botanical aromas and therapeutic advantages. Once made, display your powders in beautiful old-fashioned glass jars or antique salt shakers. If you are making powders for children's use, small salt and pepper shakers or plastic squeeze bottles are a good choice.

To make a natural body powder, combine the dry materilas in a bowl, and blend together slowly using a metal whisk. Add the essential oils, taking care to count each drop. As you pour the drops nto the mixture, stir them thoroughly into the powder to break them up and disperse them. Stir in concentric circles, bringing the powder from the edge of the bowl into the middle to ensure that all the powder is blended with the essential oils. Once the powder has acquired the desired fragrance strength , use a spoon to transfer it to your chosen decorative container. The powder will last months, and can be refreshed with essential oils at any time.

SPRINGTIME DUSTNG POWDER FOR LINENS
A clean and fragrant powder for dusting upholstery, linens and pillows to make them smell like the first day of Spring!

• 1/2 cup (4 oz) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp white clay powder
• 30 drops French lavender Pure Essential Oil
• 30 drops rose geranium Pure Essential Oil

Mix the ingredients together as described below.* Store in a glass shaker with perforated lid.

DUSTING POWDER*
Natural dusting powders contain a variety of combination of food grade starches, powders and clays, omitting powdered minerals such as talc that can cause respiratory problems. Dry clay powders have a crisp feel and deodorant and absorbent qualities, while fine-milled flours and starches lend a satiny feel and soft finish to powders.

Here is the basic recipe for an unfragranced body powder:

• 1 cup (8 oz) cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (2 oz) arrowroot powder
• 2 tbsp white clay powder
• 2 tbsp baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

Carefully measure the powders into a glass bowl, stirring slowly with a wire whisk. Add essential oils to the powder mix drop by drop, ensuring that the drops are broken up in the powder as you go. Continue to stir the powder in concentric circles until the entire mixture gives off the desired aroma intensity. Let the powder sit for 10-20 minutes, stir with the whisk, and add more essential oils if desired.

Once you have achieved the desired aroma and consistency, spoon the powder into small shaker-type glass or plastic jars. Salt and pepper shakersa, grated cheese dispenser and small flour sfrers make excellent containers for body powders, foot powders and dry shampoo. Cap your containers well, label them and keep them away from sunlight, heat or excessive moisture. Use as needed.

GENTLE BODY POWDER FOR CHILDREN
A soft, gently aromatic natural powder safe enough for children to use every day. Use in place of baby powder whenever a mild, absorbent powder is needed.

• 1/4 cup (2 oz) cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (2 oz) arrowed powder
• 1 tbsp white clay
• 30 drops sweet orange Pure Essential Oil
• 20 drops ylang-ylang Pure Essential Oil
• 10 drops rose geranium Pure Esssential Oil

Mix the dry materials together as described in the recipe above and stir in the essential oils. Use a clean, empty plastic squeeze bottle or a pretty salt, pepper or cheese shaker bottle to store the powder.

ELEGANT ROSE PETAL DUSTING POWDER
An intensely fragrant powder for indulging your senses!! Rice starch gives the powder a luxurious feel, and rose absolute its incredible uplifting aroma.

• 1/4 cup (2 oz) cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (2 oz) rice starch
• 20 drops rose geranium Pure Essential Oil
• 12 drops rose absolute

Mix the ingredients together, being sure to thoroughly blend in the rose absolute. Store this sensuous, fragrant body powder in an antique sugar shaker or old fashioned glass jar with a fluffy powder puff.

Use the powder whenever you want to give your senses a real treat and make yourself feel truly special!!