The best eyeshadow compact will meet your needs in terms of size, number of shadows it can hold, price, and additional useful features. Eyeshadow compacts are available in a variety of sizes and styles. You can find them through department stores, online, and in catalogs. As long as you know what features to look for, you should be able to find a compact that works for you.
Before you begin your search for an eyeshadow compact, determine your ideal price range. As with most beauty products, there are high end products and inexpensive products. A higher price tag does not necessarily mean better quality nor does it mean that the product will meet your needs perfectly. Makeup manufacturers change their products often, so you may purchase a compact only to find that it and the eyeshadows which fill it have been discontinued. With that in mind, be conservative in your estimate of the amount of money you are willing to spend.
Next, consider your daily beauty routine. If you wear the same eyeshadow colors on most days, you can use an eyeshadow compact that holds only two or three shadows. If you wear different colors from day to day, you will probably need a larger compact with a greater selection of colors.
An all-in-one eyeshadow compact is very convenient, especially for women who commute, travel, or simply do not have the time to put on their makeup at home. These compacts include eyeshadow, liner, mascara, and an applicator. Some include both a brush and a sponge applicator. They typically have an integrated mirror, so that you can apply shadow regardless of your location.
Other eyeshadow compacts are very simple and include only the shadows. There is no slot for applicators or a liner, and no mirror is provided. These compacts are not usually the best purchase. The convenience of having all of your eye shadow in one place is eclipsed by the inconvenience of storing additional required beauty products in a separate container.
Actual eyeshadow colors may not be included with an eyeshadow compact. Interchangeable compacts allow the user to create custom palates. Many women find favorite shades and prefer to keep them all together. Others appreciate pre-filled compacts, which contain colors that have already been matched in varying shades of the same hue, eliminating the need to find complimentary shadows.