Did You Know: This Vintage Pressed Powder Is Also A Good Cleaning Agent
Asian women used this powder in the olden days.
By Tamara Jayne
Growing up, you may have spotted this small, pretty vintage box lying around on your mother's (or grandmother's) dressing table
If you've never seen it before, this is a pressed powder, also known as 'Sam Fong Hoi Tong' powder, that was used by Asian women in the olden days
There are quite a few dupes around, but the original version was made by Hong Kong company, Sam Fong Cosmetic Co Ltd, which has been operating since 1933.
Makeup brands were pretty limited back then. So this was apparently one of the options for women to achieve flawless, matte-looking skin.
It comes in two shades: pink and white.
When you touch the compressed powder, there's a velvety feel to it, almost like soft chalk or bedak sejuk (cold talcum), a traditional face mask made of fermented rice.
According to several websites, the Sam Fong powder is made of three ingredients: calcium carbonate, talc, and fragrance.
But more than just a pressed powder or a face mask (if you add water), it can also be used as a polishing agent for tarnished accessories
The calcium carbonate ingredient acts as a gentle abrasive, which can be used to clean silverware and jewellery.
According to Hill To Street, all you need to do is dab some of the powder onto the tarnished areas and rub it with your fingers. You'll then notice your silverware or jewellery become clean again.
Here's a short video of it:
Aside from sundry shops and pasar malams, you can find the powder on websites like Shopee, Lazada, or at MR DIY outlets.
You might also be able to find calcium carbonate from a few baking shops.
