Beauty bible

Beautiful make-up palettes for showing off with in public

Celia Walden on the power of a good compact

ACCORDING TO DEBRETT’S, ‘applying make-up on public transport can jeopardise that all-important first impression and make you appear disorganised.’ Can you even imagine the white-hot shame you might feel if a bunch of random commuters thought you were ‘disorganised’? Of course you can’t. Because you’re not wearing a powdered wig and a bustle, and it’s most likely far more important to you that your colleagues, prospective boss or date never get to see your boat race as nature intended. But, actually, I’m inclined to agree with the breeches-clad bods at Debrett’s. Applying make-up in public should only be done in absolute emergencies of the kind that arise, oh, I don’t know, four to five days a week.

Along with the etiquette thing (a quaint notion in itself ) there’s the dignity aspect. Really it’s the freaky faces we pull when applying make-up that has always stopped me doing it either in public or in front of my husband; it’s how ugly you look in your attempts to be beautiful – or passable, at any rate. And if that isn’t undignified, I don’t know what is.

There is one exception to this spurious rule: and that’s when compacts and make-up palettes of extreme beauty are being used. These instantly elevate you from harassed female slapping on slap aboard a number 10 bus to a film noir femme fatale using her exquisite poudrier to check if she’s being followed.

I still have the first Chanel Poudre Universelle compact my mother gave me for Christmas in my mid-teens. The powder’s been rubbed clean but otherwise it looks brand new: that classic, art-deco little black box never gets old. Others I’ve been given since have similar value – a vintage enamel Christian Dior eye-make-up compact and Paul & Joe limited-edition Tom and Jerry pressed powder from last year. As everyday objects of beauty that can last for years, they are the perfect Christmas present. And, luckily, there’s a whole selection out there to give and receive.

Man Ray The Veil Cheek Palette, £32, Nars (narscosmetics.co.uk). These three buildable shades are perfect for highlighting and contouring.

Gold Palette, £59, Guerlain (debenhams.com). This art-deco-style compact contains a full make-up set with shades that can be applied wet or dry.

Palette Essentielle, £52, Chanel (chanel.com). This corrects imperfections, highlights and revives skin tones. Apply with fingertips for a fresh, dewy look.

Touche Eclat Le Cushion Foundation, £40, YSL Beauty (johnlewis.com). This flew off the shelves when it was launched this year in a rose-gold compact.

Jewelled Starfish Powder Compact, £200, Estée Lauder (harrods.com). One-of-a-kind powder compacts that are works of art to keep forever.