Compact powder is godsend. This is the guy you definitely want to take along with you for on-the-go touch-ups through the day. Think of it as a lighter way to nix mid-day shine by absorbing excess oil, even out skin tone, and give your skin a lit-from-within glow.
The best bit is yet to come though. What makes it your knight in shining armor is the fact that it helps your makeup stay put for longer. Don’t you hate it when that happens? Well, don’t sweat over it because this guy’s got your back (and face). What matters though is if you know where and how this tiny little case fits in your beauty routine.
If you’ve spent a major part of your life finding yourself dragged into the ‘what-comes-first-in-makeup’ debate, let us lay it out for you. The basic makeup routine goes like this – primer, foundation, concealer and compact powder, in that order, followed by the rest of your makeup. You are now ready to bring your super powder in action.
How to Apply Compact Powder
- Step 1: Dab a fluffy powder brush into your favorite compact powder and dust off the excess. (The last bit saves you from looking like you fell into a sack of wheat flour)
- Step 2: Starting from your T-zone, brush outwards while also applying the powder on under eye skin. The key is to not powder your entire face.
- Step 3: Repeat the above steps until you have achieved the desire coverage.
- Step 4: Brush away excess powder with the help of a clean brush. And poof just like that you’re done!
To help you find your right match, (we’re talking compact, the other you can only hope for) we’ve rounded up the best compact powders out there based on your skin type, tone and concern. May flawless, photo-ready skin be with you.
1. Compact Powder For Oily Skin
• Faces Canada Ultime Pro Xpert Cover Compact
If you’re looking for a top-notch, oil-absorbing formula that doesn’t weigh your skin down, make space in your tote bag for the Faces Canada Ultime Pro Xpert Cover Compact. Maximum coverage? Check. Matte finish? Check. Ah, and the creamy texture of this compact powder for oily skin glides on your skin like a dream, for an even look.
• SUGAR Powder Play Banana Compact
Guilty of stocking up enough packs of blotting paper to last you through an apocalypse? The woes of living with oily skin, eh? Enter: SUGAR Powder Play Banana Compact. The oil-controlling formula absorbs excess oil to minimize shine while creating a smooth base. It also works as a highlighter, thanks to its slight yellow tint.
2. Compact Powder For Combination Skin
• O3+ Plunge Nudes Compact Powder
The O3+ Plunge Nudes Compact Powder when swirled on a fluffy brush and pressed onto skin evens out complexion to ensure long-lasting foolproof coverage. This best compact powder for combination skin imparts a matte finish while completely masking blemishes. The best part, you ask? It’s lightweight and mess free.
• Paese Cosmetics Mattifying Powder With Argan Oil
If you’ve got combination skin type, your prayers have been answered. Our tried-and-tested favorite, the Paese Cosmetics Mattifying Powder With Argan Oil comes with an unbeatable edge. It can be used dry or wet. We hear a silent yay. Moreover, the goodness of Argan Oil in this best compact powder for combination skin contains moisturizing and revitalizing properties that your skin will absolutely love.
3. Compact Powder For Dry Skin
• Lakme Absolute White Intense Wet & Dry Compact
So you haven’t been very friendly with your sipper, sitting on your work desk, and the dehydration shows? Boo! The good news is that you can still up your makeup game with a compact powder that deeply hydrates your skin to restore its natural radiance. The Lakme Absolute White Intense Wet & Dry Compact packed with Vitamin B3 and Hyaluronic Acid does just that. Brb, adding to cart.
• Note Luminous Silk Compact Powder
Why pick any compact powder off the shelf when you can get your dry skin a nourishing formula, one that prevents dehydration whilst doing its job flawlessly? Well the Note Luminous Silk Compact Powder, the best compact powder for dry skin, infused with Argan Oil works fine at ensuring high coverage and keeping moisture in check. Sounds perfect, no?
1. Compact Powder For Fair Skin Tone
• Lakme 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Powder Foundation Compact - Natural Light
We’ve got three words for this one – the undeniable classic. This budget pick has been a mainstay in our makeup pouch and why not? Its 3-in-1 formula works as a foundation, concealer and compact to achieve the perfect makeup base without too much layering. And we’re talking easy spread with excellent coverage. Basically, this compact powder for fair skin does it all.
• Colorbar Radiant White UV Fairness Compact Powder SPF 18 - 002 Shell
The dreaded cakey finish can soon be a thing of the past since now you’ve got a genius, feather-light formula that locks in foundation and instantly illuminates your skin. Enter: Colorbar Radiant White UV Fairness Compact Powder SPF 18 - 002 Shell, a compact powder for fair skin, blessed with the nourishing traits of Vitamins C and E.
2. Compact Powder For Medium Skin Tone
• Revlon PhotoReady Compact Makeup - 03 Medium Deep
Disclaimer: It’s sinful and a bit on the pricey side but worth it. The Revlon PhotoReady Compact Makeup - 03 Medium Deep boasts of a photo-chromatic pigment formula. Does it work as good as it sounds? Well, this micro-refined and lightweight powder works to diffuse light and minimize skin imperfections to ensure your face is lens ready even in the most unflattering light. Airbrushed look? Yes, please.
• SUGAR Dream Cover SPF15 Mattifying Compact - 45 Con Panna
When you’re caught in the middle, the struggle is real. But here’s a little something for you. The SUGAR Dream Cover SPF15 Mattifying Compact - 45 Con Panna absorbs excess oil to reduce shine and maintains the matte finish for a good five hours. Dab this skin-perfector for an effective matte finish. Plus, it comes in a sleek trendy case.
3. Compact Powder For Dusky Skin Tone
• Makeup Revolution Bake & Blot - Deep Dark
The Makeup Revolution Bake & Blot - Deep Dark is the real deal. You’re looking at a fuss-free compact that masks pores and lines and can be a perfecting match for your rich skin tone. Even better, this compact powder for dark skin blurs imperfections without disrupting your intense base makeup underneath.
• Bonjour Paris Gentle Compact Powder - Wheatish To Dusky Skin
A paper-light cream-based formulation that blends smoothly on skin without making it feel sticky? That would be a call out to the Bonjour Paris Gentle Compact Powder – the best compact powder for dark skin. Ideal for richer skin tones, it is infused with Vitamin E and formulated with Micro Talc for an absolute matte effect.
1. Compact Powder For Acne and Blemishes
• Paese Cosmetics Mattifying & Covering Pressed Powder
If you’ve been a consistent miss cake face, only in an attempt to hide your blemishes, you’ve been pressing the wrong powder onto your skin all this while. The Paese Cosmetics Mattifying & Covering Pressed Powder, the best compact powder for acne prone skin, simply evens out skin irregularities and spots while blending in smoothly. A wake up call to swap your existing compact case.
• L'Oreal Paris Mat Magique All-In-One Matte Transforming Powder
Acne and their scars may take their own sweet time to realise they’re overstaying, leaving you with the only choice of finding a formula that can effectively mask them. The mineral formula of L'Oreal Paris Mat Magique All-In-One Matte Transforming Powder absorbs excess sebum (read less acne) and imparts your skin with a matte finish.
2. Compact Powder For Pores, Whiteheads and Blackheads
• Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder
Always thinking about how big your pores are? Well, the time to make peace with them is over because you’re looking at a formula devised specially to minimize your pores while giving your skin a buildable coverage. The Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder is created with blurring micro-powders and Perilite Mineral Technology that keeps skin matte and clean for upto 16 hours.
• Incolor Exposed Flawless Finish Compact
The fine pigments in the Incolor Exposed Flawless Finish Compact cling to the brush bristles and evenly disperse onto skin for streak-free coverage with minimized appearance of lines and pores. It is also packed with the goodness of Vitamin E that nourishes your skin. Oh and did we tell you, with this powder on, you can have breathable skin even in soupy climates?
3. Compact Powder For Sun Exposure
• Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte SPF 40 Pa+++ Compact
It is no secret that natural light from the sun can be unforgiving on your skin. What you need is an SPF infused compact powder. Give your skin a luminous yet matte finish with the lightweight Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte SPF 40 Pa+++ Compact. The SPF 40 PA+++ minerals protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun.
• Biotique Natural Makeup Magicompact Skin Lightening & Whitening SPF 15
A finely milled SPF infused compact powder packed with multivitamins, minerals and plant enriched tints explain the brilliance of the Biotique Natural Makeup Magicompact Skin Lightening & Whitening SPF 15. While keeping your skin safe from the blazing temp outside, it rides on the fact that it is organic yet smudge-proof. Extra bonus, we would say.
