Over the past few weeks I’ve discussed methods of applying period makeup, as well as some of my favorite brands. This week, I’d like to talk about an easy way to beautify our makeup bag, if you will—vintage compacts.
The elegant compacts of yesteryear are still readily available today, and are a wonderful way to add extra glamour to your day. When it comes time for a powder touch-up, nothing makes you feel more like a movie star then taking out a filigreed, enameled, or rhinestone-encrusted compact!
Vintage compacts are generally designed for the loose powders of the day, and can often be found with a mesh screen or metal door that contains the powder and keeps it separate from your powder puff. The simplest way of using an antique compact is to fill it with a loose powder of your choosing, and, if the mesh screen is missing (or there is no “door”), use a tissue or cut a piece of mesh to fit. If you don’t use loose powder or would prefer to carry pressed powder for touch ups), you have a couple of options; the first is to custom blend a pressed powder, and the second is to find a pressed pan that will fit into your vintage compact. As old compacts can often be quite tiny, you may find the former to be the easier option.
The process of making your own pressed powder is quite simple actually, and you can easily press any loose powder of your choosing. You can also create your very own custom shade (and ladies of all skin colors can relate to how difficult finding a perfect match can be) by blending two of more shades together. You can even use regular baby powder, adding a tinted powder like Ben Nye’s Pretty Pink to create a soft white shade.
To begin, mix your loose powder with alcohol in a small dish, and form a soft paste. Then, press this paste into the bottom of your compact, taking care to fill the pan as evenly as possible. You can use a textured paper or mesh to press a design into the top, if you so desire. Allow the powder to dry thoroughly, and that’s it—you have created your own pressed powder!
xoxo,
Amanda Lee
Ohhhh..I am such a compact addict. The rhinestone one is purrrrfect. Where ever did you find it? Is it for sale? Personally I consider vintage compacts the icing on the cake, the perfect accessory. So of course, I have several, in all different shapes and sizes, but I could always use more…
Isn’t that one a beauty, Kat? Alas, it is a bit of a splurge
I updated the post so that photos take you to the Etsy page for each compact.
The compacts are beautiful, thank you for reminding me to look through my Mom’s things for hers. I know I saw several of them. So cool that you can make your own pressed powder, I might try that.
I marked that Etsy shop as a favorite. There are tons of great items! They just opened shop in early November…perfect timing for the holidays! Wonder if that compact will still be around once I have some Christmas money…
I hope it is waiting for you, Kat!
There are a number of beautiful items in that Etsy shop–I add it as a favorite as well
You’ll have to tell us about your finds, Marie!