The Popular 1920s Makeup Product That We Still Use Today

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Makeup has come a long way in the last century, but the old adage still applies with certain products: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Rice powder was originally used in ancient China to even out the complexion, but its popularity peak came in the 1920s. And this velvety product is clearly a keeper, since pros like celebrity makeup artist and esthetician Amanda Gabbard still use it today. 

"Rice powder is a wonderful multitasking beauty product and it is one of my holy grails — always in my professional kit," Gabbard tells Glam exclusively. "Its primary job is to absorb excess oil, reduce shine and give the skin a softer, smoother-looking finish. It can also help set foundation and concealer so your makeup stays in place longer. It combats oily skin like no other powder." The MUA notes that rice powder serves as the final piece of the puzzle, setting your makeup in place with a polished finish. 

We can't classify rice powder as a makeup trend from the 1930s and beyond that's making a comeback, because it never really left. To be sure, there's no shortage of makeup powders on the market, but rice powder stands out due to its namesake ingredient. Gabbard explains that rice starch, which other powders lack, absorbs oil while still being lightweight, so it creates the perfect airbrushed finish without weighing down the skin or making the wearer feel like they're buried under layers of heavy product. "Sometimes the best tricks are the ones our grandmothers knew all along," she adds. "We just have to learn how to adapt them to our skin today!"

Making space for rice powder in your cosmetics bag doesn't mean you'll be embracing a flapper aesthetic; this powerful ingredient fits right into modern makeup routines to create the kind of soft-glam looks we love today. "It typically goes on after foundation and concealer, but before setting spray," Amanda Gabbard shares in our exclusive chat. "I recommend using a fluffy brush or triangle puff and applying a very light dusting, concentrating on areas that tend to get shiny, like the forehead, sides of the nose and chin." In particular, she suggests using a smaller brush for powdering, since a larger brush makes it more difficult to be precise with specific areas. Gabbard also stresses that you don't need to apply powder to your whole face, the way you would with setting powders that will keep your makeup in place all summer. You only need it in those zones that tend to get more oily or where makeup tends to slide. 

The beauty of rice powder is that it suits all ages, including mature skin, because it takes away shine and oiliness while preserving "the skin's natural glow." But Gabbard points out that it's crucial not to over-apply rice powder, since that will conceal too much. "As a makeup artist and esthetician, I always remind people that more powder does not mean better makeup!" she says. "Especially as we get older, we want to preserve the skin's natural luminosity. Too much powder can settle into fine lines, emphasize texture and make the complexion look flat or dry. A little goes a long way!"

Rice powder is easy to use and proven to work, but not all brands and products achieve the same results. Finding the best of the bunch can come down to trial and error, and seasoned pro Amanda Gabbard now has her go-to rice powders, starting with Palladio Rice Powder. "This is a great affordable, old-school beauty staple," she reveals to Glam. "It is finely milled, helps absorb excess oil, and gives the skin a lovely soft-matte finish. I also like that it comes in different shades, so you aren't limited to one translucent option. It's a wonderful drugstore-friendly find."

She also loves Young Blood Pressed Mineral Rice Powder, telling us exclusively that it's a particularly good option for sensitive skin. Some modern rice powders contain ingredients like talc and silica to improve the consistency, but this one is talc free. If you have sensitive skin or want to avoid certain ingredients, it's always a good idea to read the label to weed out formulations that don't work for you. Finally, Gabbard recommends KimChiChic Beauty Puff Puff Pass Powder, verifying that it's "popular for a reason." This one contains vitamin E in its formulation, which creates a smoother, satiny finish.

Once you've found the rice powder of your dreams, you'll be well on your way to smooth, polished makeup. There's no better pairing for the modern comeback of old-school fashion trends from the 1920s.