Oh, the joy of compacts, the flamboyant stars of the party season. Dripping in gold, embossed, bejewelled and gilded, there's something refreshingly honest about their allure. No sleek, clinical lines hinting at scientific advancement here, just plenty of ornate detailing for its own sake. You see, honest. But perhaps the most surprising benefit of this year's compact gems is how functional they can be. 'At their best, it's like a make-up bag in one small box,' says Alexander Lynsey, senior make-up artist for Mac. 'Which makes it much cheaper than buying everything separately. It's also a lot quicker to apply.'

For versatility, aim for the larger palettes, such as the one by Pout. 'Look for five or six colour options, and use lip gloss on cheeks, blusher on eyes, and layer powders on creams for a lasting finish,' says Lynsey.

Beyond content, focus on the casing, which should be as kitsch as possible, with a high-quality click when you open and close it. As far as compacts are concerned, it's what's on the outside that counts.