The Allure of Compacts
I tenderly glanced at my friend when her 91 year old mother pulled a mirrored compact from her purse to touch up her lipstick after a wonderful restaurant dinner we shared. My friend smiled and winked – we had watched her mother execute this quintessentially feminine ritual many times before…
“I must go and powder my nose”, is an oft-stated line in many a vintage film. I’m not sure many women powder their noses anymore but I recently bought a compact. Instead of pressed face powder, mine is filled with a soft glimmering highlighter, perfect for summer skin. It cost a pretty penny but I couldn’t resist the beautiful artwork on the cover – flowers and birds cavorting in a fresh-as-springtime pastel garden.
In high school, I carried a small faux-tortoiseshell compact that was divided in half – in one pan, a fetching red lip color and in the other, a coordinating cream blush. I loved this sleek little gem which slid so easily into the front pocket of my bell-bottomed jeans. Who could want for more when you had the world on a string at 16?
Both my grandmothers kept drug-store brand compacts in their handbags and like my friend’s mother, used the mirror to reapply lipstick while out. They also patted their noses, foreheads and chins with the accompanied powder puff (now there’s a phrase one doesn’t hear much anymore). Their little cosmetic objet d’arts were not decorative but functional and yet, they seemed deeply feminine. Or maybe it was just the ritual that made it look so glamorous.
Compact collecting is quite popular and flea markets, junk shops, and antique stores have their share of vintage selections. The picture below is my sisters’ eclectic treasure trove of compacts that she displays on a tray in her bedroom. It’s always fun to peek just to see if there are any new additions.
There is just something just so alluring about carrying and using this archetypal mirrored receptacle for powder with its own soft puff and satisfying click when shut. Something dainty that can fit in the palm of a lady’s hand, a handbag, or the pocket of a favorite pair of blue jeans…something to be trotted out to gently powder a nose, or replenish a lipstick… now and at age 91.
6 Comments
Karen
I love this and your new compact is beautiful. I watched a young woman gently powder (blot) her whole face as she stood on the train last week. She carefully applied her product as she stared intently into the little mirror and, honestly, when she was done her face seemed to me, transformed. I wanted to tell her she looked beautiful but I thought it would feel intrusive to her as we're not supposed to be watching people on transit, right? I want to get a compact now too – I have one of those two-sided mirror compacts (regular and enlarged) but no powder. Also, I have one of those lipstick holders with the tiny mirror, but that certainly doesn't seem the same either. I love this girly idea.
Donna
Thank you Karen and thank you for sharing that wonderful compact siting. It is rare to see a woman powder her face these days.
Ann
Your new compact is beautiful! I do keep a drugstore brand compact in my purse…and when you mentioned the vintage compacts I remember that my mother had one she purchased on her honeymoon to the 1939 World's Fair in NYC. I used to pull it out of the cedar chest to play with when I was a girl. Now I am wondering where that is…hmmm? Time to call my sister and see if she has it !
Donna
I bet that World's Fair compact is a desired collectible now Ann!
Dana
I always keep a small old Estee Lauder compact in my purse- it's empty now but I do enjoy having a mirror handy. After reading your lovely post- I am now on the hunt for a functional compact to powder my nose when needed! I love the old-fashion quaint feeling I have when I read your written words. Thanks for being a breath of fresh air!
Donna
Dana, Estee Lauder had produced those lovely compacts for years and I believe I had one once. They were lovely!