Beauty: Compact little beauties

Picture / Carolyn Robertson

Public displays of makeup application are really only acceptable if it's done with the help of a compact. Long ago the movies imbued them with mythical status, managing to make them the equipment of helpless beauties on the lookout for a rich husband as well as sharp Lauren Bacall-styled dames who were nobody's bits of fluff. Compacts are also great powder and makeup dispensers and now that the ladylike thing is happening for winter, these make great accessories.

1. Yves Saint Laurent Natural Light Matt and Radiant Pressed Powder
$86 for 10g

This gold compact has killer looks and deserves to be trotted out in public. It does seem a shame to use it thereby ruining the pressed heart outline in the powder, but needs must. This is an ultra-fine, powder that manages to make the complexion radiant with light-boosting pigments. Small enough to not be a burden in any bag.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

2. Clinique Invisible Matte Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder Oil-Free
$58

Pressed powders were invented solely to get rid of shine. At the first sign of anything other than a composed matt complexion, this shine-absorbing, oil-free powder gets down to business. Full marks to this user-friendly compact.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

3. Chanel Vitalumiere 40 Satin Smoothing Creme Compact SPF15
$110 for 15g

The liquid version of Vitalumiere is a favourite. It manages to make imperfect skin look and feel amazing and rejuvenated, because of photo-reflective pigments. So, the idea that you can get a fully transportable alternative is appealing. It won't disappoint fans of compact foundation. As compacts go, they don't come any better than this. Sheer class, and you get to see your entire face in the mirror not just a section of cheek.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

4. Elizabeth Arden 02 Flawless Finish Ultra Smooth Pressed Powder
$52 for 28g

The round compact harks back to the compact's heyday. This is a light powder that goes on smooth, vows not to settle into fine lines or cake - and it doesn't.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

5. Lancome Photogenic 03 Ultra Naturel Compact
$75 for 16g from selected department stores and pharmacies.

This is a light-reflecting compact makeup with an SPF18 that promises natural-looking radiant skin in any light. Mata Hari would have appreciated the secret compartment housing the sponge on top of the mirror. That corrective pigment is a godsend toning unevenness and help radiance.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.