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Compact powder is a godsend. This is the guy you definitely want to take along with you for on–the–go touch-ups throughout the day. Think of it as a lighter way to nix mid-day shine by absorbing excess oil, evening out skin tone, and giving your skin a lit–from–within glow.
The best bit is yet to come though. What makes it your knight in shining armour 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 into 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 into action.
How To Apply Compact Powder
Step 1: Dab a fluffy powder brush into your favourite 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 desired 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.
Compact Powders For Different Skin Types
Compact Powder For Oily Skin
Nykaa Recommends:
If you’re looking for a top-notch, oil-absorbing, high-coverage compact powder 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.
Nykaa Recommends:
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. This oil-controlling, full-coverage compact powder for oily skin absorbs excess oil to minimise shine while creating a smooth base. It also works as a highlighter, thanks to its slight yellow tint.
Compact Powder For Combination Skin
Nykaa Recommends:
The Swiss Beauty Airbrush Compact, when swirled on a fluffy brush and pressed onto the skin, evens out the complexion to ensure long-lasting foolproof coverage. This best compact powder for combination skin imparts a matte finish for 16 hours while completely masking blemishes.
Nykaa Recommends:
If you’ve got a combination skin type, your prayers have been answered. Our tried-and-tested favourite, 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, and according to a study, argan oil contains moisturising and revitalising properties that your skin will absolutely love.
Compact Powder For Dry Skin
Nykaa Recommends:
So you haven’t been very friendly with your sipper, sitting on your work desk, and the dehydration shows? 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 Unreal Dual Cover Pressed Powder packed with vitamin B3 does just that. Brb, adding to cart.
Nykaa Recommends:
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, our in-house formulation, Nykaa SKINgenius Skin Perfecting & Hydrating Matte Powder Compact is the best compact powder for dry skin, infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, this product works fine at ensuring high coverage and keeping moisture in check. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?
Compact Powders For Varying Skin Tones
Compact Powder For Fair Skin Tone
Nykaa Recommends:
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.
Nykaa Recommends:
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, a compact powder for fair skin, blessed with the traits of Vitamins C and E, which according to a study, are great for your skin as they reverse UV damage while nourishing your skin.
Compact Powder For Medium Skin Tone
Nykaa Recommends:
Disclaimer: It’s sinful and a bit on the pricey side but it’s worth it. The Revlon PhotoReady Compact boasts 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 minimise skin imperfections to ensure your face is lens–ready even in the most unflattering light. Airbrushed look? Yes, please.
Nykaa Recommends:
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 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.
Compact Powder For Dusky Skin Tone
Nykaa Recommends:
The Makeup Revolution Luxury Baking Powder is the real deal. You’re looking at a fuss-free, full-coverage compact powder for dry skin that masks pores and lines and can be a perfect match for your rich skin tone. Even better, this compact powder for dark skin blurs imperfections without disrupting your intense base makeup underneath.
Nykaa Recommends:
A paper-light, hydrating, and sweat-resistant formulation that blends smoothly on the skin without making it feel sticky? That would be a call out to our very own – Kay Beauty Matte Compact – the best compact powder for dark skin. Ideal for richer skin tones, it is infused with avocado butter, mango butter, and hyaluronic acid for an absolute matte effect.
Compact Powders For Major Skin Concerns
Compact Powder For Acne and Blemishes
Nykaa Recommends:
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 Faces Canada Weightless Stay Matte Compact Vitamin E, 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 with this full coverage compact.
Nykaa Recommends:
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. This mineral formula from L'Oreal Paris absorbs excess sebum (read: less acne) and imparts your skin with a matte finish.
Compact Powder For Pores, Whiteheads, and Blackheads
Nykaa Recommends:
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 minimise 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 up to 16 hours.
Nykaa Recommends:
The fine pigments in the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Compact cling to the brush bristles and evenly disperse onto the skin for streak-free coverage with minimised appearance of lines and pores. It is also packed with the goodness of rose wax, almond oil, and light-reflecting pearls that nourish your skin for a pearl-like complexion. Oh, and did we tell you, with this celebrity-loved powder on, you can have breathable skin even in soupy climates?
Compact Powder For Sun Exposure
Nykaa Recommends:
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.
Nykaa Recommends:
A finely milled SPF-infused compact powder packed with multivitamins, minerals and plant-enriched tints explains 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.
FAQs
1. How to find a compact powder that will match my skin tone?
People always swatch compact powder and other makeup essentials on their inner wrists, but that technique is inaccurate. Select a compact powder that matches the shade of your neck and jaw, if you want to brighten your complexion, opt for one shade lighter than your skin tone.
1. How to find a compact powder that will match my skin tone?
People always swatch compact powder and other makeup essentials on their inner wrists, but that technique is inaccurate. Select a compact powder that matches the shade of your neck and jaw, if you want to brighten your complexion, opt for one shade lighter than your skin tone.
2. Can I apply compact daily?
Yes, you can apply a compact powder daily, given you prep your skin first and select a compact powder that has non-toxic ingredients.
3. Can I use a compact without a foundation?
Yes, a foundation sets a base for your makeup and makes your compact last longer. But if you wish to skin you can, you can swap a foundation with either a primer or a tinted sunscreen.
