The search for a special, “keeper' compact is not necessarily an active one, but it is one that is almost always on-going. And sometimes what's inside doesn't even matter as much as the glamorous exterior. For example, yesterday, I fell in love with YSL's new Touche Éclat Blur Perfector before I even tried it—well, before I even opened it. I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but I did, and I have no regrets.

Mainly because what's inside is as good as, if not better than, the packaging. The product is a soft pinky neutral-colored balm that finishes on the skin as powder. Entirely mattifying, it works well on top of constantly changing skin types and with most skin tones. Applied with the fingers, the balm goes on smooth and evens out texture, making any pores or fine lines that are bothering you a nonstarter. It seems like a primer, but really, it's in its own category, working well with the rest of your products. Of course, your skin will be so soft after a swipe of this that you might not want to use anything else. Sometimes reaching for the best packaging isn't such a bad thing.

—Jen Steele

Photographed by Tom Newton.