Best Compact Powders in India - Reviews and Comparison 2021

Compact powders are generally okay for any use; which means you can apply them either as a foundation or just as a finishing powder. Wet compact works when you apply it as a foundation, simply damp cloth or sponge and wipe it over your compact cake and start the application. It will give a foundation like base look to your skin upon which you can apply your make-up as needed.

A dry compact acts as your finishing powder; something that you apply after you are done with your make-up. It can also be used the entire day to give those much needed and quick retouches to your look. However, nowadays the compacts have evolved giving you the option of applying it either in the dry form or wet.

Our recommendation: Go for a hybrid one!

A long-lasting compact is going to make your life easy! Many compacts have a long-term duration of 8 to 10 hours post-application. However, you should also keep in mind that this lasting effect depends on the type of climate around you. If you are living in a surrounding which is humid, this longevity is going to reduce; thanks to sweat! But choosing a powder that has the longest-lasting effect is going to be your best pick here!

Choosing a compact that gives you high coverage and a natural feeling blend is essential. What does this mean? Coverage of powder is said to be more when it covers a larger surface of your face with less amount of product. The higher the coverage, the more use you can derive from your compact.

By blend, we mean that it should merge well with your skin upon application. When compact blends well, it leaves your skin feeling soft, bright, and glowing without the feeling that you have applied something extra! It goes “au natural”! But when it doesn’t blend in, you can see unevenness and left-out patches or even a whitish look all over the skin!

Pro-Tip: Check if the compact feels smooth and in-tone with your skin tone, if yes, then its a perfect fit!

Many compacts have either of the two finishes; matt or shinny! Now the preference of choosing a finish depends entirely on you. Matt finish is more of daily use, while shiny finishes are used for special occasions! If your compact looks plain and of a single shade, it’s matte. If it looks all sparkly with those sparkle grains, then it is going to give you a shiny touch.

Having SPF contain in your compact is the best way you can wear sunblock the entire day and look good while doing it! SPF is Sun Protection Factor that helps to save your skin from darkening out under the sun! It is made of active ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that scatter sun-rays away from your skin and absorb the harmful UV rays too!

A good SPF contains in a compact would be somewhere above 15 and would do a decent job of powder + sunblock!

It is an ideal concept that a face powder should not feel like you are carrying a layer of make-up on your skin. The lighter it feels, the better! After applying, if your face feels restricted or the skin feels heavy, then you should look for a compact that feels very light on the skin and lets you be you!

Compacts nowadays come in various shades; choosing the perfect one is a herculean task! The tone that you choose is typically the one that is closest to your natural skin colour, however, if you want a brighter look, you can go for a shade that is one notch lighter than your skin tone.

Pro Tip: Medium beige shade works for almost every skin tone except very fair!

Here is a guide of how to give your skin a finished look.

• For the application of wet compact:

1. Give your face a wash with a mild face cleaner or soap. Focus on the areas where there is an excess oil built up. Wash your face with cold water and pat it dry with a soft towel.

2. Take a little bit of your regular moisture and apply it gently to the face [no need to do this if your skin is oily].

3. Squeeze out a small amount of primer and smooth it out on your face with your fingertips.

4. Take a rounded foundation brush, or even a blusher would do well. Press it down on the dry powder lightly. Now roll the brush gently over your face covering the entire area. Apply an extra coat where you need additional coverage to hide any spots or blemishes.

5. Wet a sponge with lukewarm water, make sure you squeeze it well before use. Now put this on the dry powder and brush it lightly to collect the product. Start applying the product with light pressure on your face.

6. Start the application from the centre portion of your face and then move outwards. You can also apply it in the regular circular motion.

7. Look in the mirror and cover up any more areas that you feel need an extra coating.

• For the application of dry compact:

1. Repeat steps 1 and 2 mentioned above.

2. Take the powder with the applicator [usually all compacts come with a beauty-sponge] and start rubbing it on your face in circles.

3. You can use your regular foundation before this if you want a higher coverage and heavier make-up. However, if you’re going to do it for daily use, just a coat of dry compact over a moisturized skin would do just fine.

4. You can apply a second coat according to your look.

Pro Tip: A quick dap with a small ice-cube over your face will help keep the pores tight and give you a flawless look for a more extended period.

Do not forget to take off your make-up before you sleep. This allows your skin to breathe and feel refresh while you sleep. Here are the steps on how to remove the compact powder.

1. Apply a cleansing milk location over your face with your hands, just like you apply a face cleanser.

2. Rub it well for 5 minutes with medium pressure. Be careful around the eyes, nose, and mouth.

3. Take a dry cotton swab of or a tissue paper, and rub it across your face to wipe off the lotion. Do not wet the swab.

4. The make-up will start to come off with every rub of swab across the face. Once you have wiped off the entire face, rinse it with cold water.

5. Apply your regular face cleanser and wash your face properly for a second time.

6. Wipe it clean with a soft towel.

If you have used compact powders regularly, you are very aware of the heartbreak when your compact cake breaks and you can’t use it anymore! Worry no more; we have got a quick fix for you.

1. Collect all the pieces of your broken powder and put them in a small tub or a familiar utensil.

2. Slowly crush all these pieces to powder again very slowly. You won’t need much pressure since compact pieces are fragile.

3. Mix a bit of rubbing alcohol to the powder. Do not add it all at once, take a guess on the thickness of the powder and keep adding alcohol as required.

4. Blend the powder and alcohol until it doesn’t feel like a thick paste.

5. Now pour this mixture back into the powder container and press it down with the backside of a spoon. Be sure to apply significantly high pressure.

6. Smooth the mixture out.

7. Now leave the container open to dry overnight.

8. The next day, you are good to go!

• Why?

  • The SPF 40 protects the skin from suntan and the PA+++ act as a shield against harmful UV rays.

  • Gives even-tone and high coverage in a single layer application.

  • Non-sticky matte finish is perfect for daily use.

  • Blend in on the face just 20 minutes before stepping out to activate SPF.

  • Universal shade makes it perfect for all skin-tones.

  • Dry and wet use.

• Travel-friendly?

  • The product just weight 9 grams and hardly 8 cms in length and width! It can fit in the smallest of your hand-bags.

• Cost?

  • It is the most cost-effective product from our selection, along with the best possible features. You won’t be disappointed and derive more benefits than the money you spend!

• Why?

  • The anti-shine perlite formula absorbs the excess oil giving you a fresh look.

  • It gives a poreless finish to your face with the help of micro-powders that blurs the pores.

  • Ideal for oily skin.

  • Dry and wet use.

  • The lightweight matte finish makes it ideal for daily use.

  • Lasts up to 8 hours.

  • Available in 7 other shades.

• Travel-friendly?

  • Extremely lightweight and easy to take around. It is 50 times lighter than your smartphone! Just put in it your handbag, and you are all set!

• Cost?

  • Compared to its predecessor, the cost is high. But the shade availability and fit-me technology is worth every extra penny spent.

• Why?

  • You can apply this over literally anything; make-up, concealer or even just the bare skin.

  • The smooth matte finish leaves your skin feeling fabulous!

  • It is available in three more shades.

  • Dry and wet use.

  • Lasts for up to 8 hours.

• Travel-Friendly?

  • It is easy to carry around because of its sealed container. As it is a pressed powder you don’t have to worry about it spilling in your hand-bag.

• Cost?

  • Though on the high-end, this powder is the best use for any occasion. You can use it over heavy make-up as a touch-up, over a usual concealer for your office look or even bare-skin for everyday wear! This is worth buying.

• Why?

  • Up to 6 hours of shine control.

  • The oil-absorbing formula gives a non-sticky look and feel.

  • High blending capacity to match your skin tone.

  • Infused with natural minerals to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

  • Right to be used even as a setting powder over concealers and foundations.

  • Dry and wet use for a pure matte finish.

  • Perfect for daily wear make-up!

• Travel-friendly?

  • It has never been easier to carry any product as you can take your compact. The pressed powder and a tight container make it spill-free. The lightweight allows you to store it even in a small hand-bag.

• Cost?

  • You wouldn't get a better product than this one that has all these features! This is a super profitable investment if you ask us!

• Why?

  • Gives a genuinely radiant finish.

  • Nourishes skin with vitamin C and E.

  • Micromesh and allantoin formula keeps the skin smooth throughout the day.

  • The allantoin helps in protecting the skin from pollution.

  • The matte finish makes it perfect to use for any occasion.

• Travel-friendly?

  • It is so light and small that it will fit anywhere in your travel-case. You can take it out with you for daily use since it's an easy to carry in your hand-bag.

• Cost?

  • It has a low cost, but it gives more sought after features like pollution protection and skin nourishment! This is a powder that you don’t want to miss!

• Why?

  • It prevents skin from premature ageing and clogging with its non-acnegenic and non-comedogenic formula.

  • Its lightweight feel allows the skin to breathe and does not clog up pores.

  • The matte finish gives your skin a natural look making it great for daily use.

• Travel-friendly?

  • The compact case is easy to fit into any travel kit or bag. Ideal for carrying for daily use too!

• Cost?

  • A little on the high end, the results it gives justifies the money invested! You won’t feel that you spend too much on too small, that’s our word!

• Why?

  • It is a loose powder and offers more coverage than any other pressed powders.

  • The translucent shade makes it adaptive to every skin tone!

  • You can use it even as a setting powder over foundations or use it like a regular pressed powder.

  • It is feather-light on the skin.

• Travel-friendly?

  • Since it is a loose powder, there is always going to be a fear of it spilling in your bag. However, if you find an excellent air-tight container, you can carry it without much effort.

• Cost?

  • It is one of the most cost-effective loose powders and the features make it worth the money! Checkout reviews and comparison of best skin whitening creams, best face primer, best hand sanitizers, best soaps, best face concealer stick, best lip gloss in India