Just two days left to win a bestselling Orchid compact mirror!
Want to win my bestselling ‘Orchid in Black’ compact mirror, worth £32? Take a minute to enter the competition on my Vanroe Compact Mirrors blog! Two winners will be randomly … Continue reading
Why compact mirrors and powder compacts?
The arrival of compacts in the 1920s caused quite the sensation. Scandalous young beauties began to apply makeup in public. They flashed their new compacts and the older generation looked … Continue reading
Where can I get a refill for my vintage pressed powder compact? (Refills for Stratton, KIGU, convertible)
If your vintage powder compact has a 67mm inside diameter it is almost certainly for pressed refills. (If it hasn’t, please see my post “How to refill / replace powder … Continue reading
Collecting Compact Mirrors And Powder Compacts – My New Book!
If you’d like a free extract from my new book ‘Collecting Compact Mirrors and Powder Compacts‘ you’ll find an ipad version on Blurb from today. You can download the 25 … Continue reading
How 1920s Greetings Cards Inspired a ‘Good Luck’ Compact Mirror
This is my story of how the life of one 1920’s British lady spoke through her greetings cards, and gave me the design for my most popular ‘good luck’ compact mirror.
Great resources: How to date a Stratton compact, Juliette Edwards and the British Compact Collectors Society
For Part Two of my posts on great resources for collectors, let’s look at Stratton. You can read my whistle-stop history of Stratton here, but as soon as you become … Continue reading
How to start a powder compact collection – Part 2 of my interview with Weranda
A little more from my recent interview with Polish magazine, Weranda. If you’re starting out as a vintage compact collector, these answers might be of interest… and if you’re an … Continue reading
Arriving in the USA, our first compact mirrors in Birmingham enamel
We’ve our first USA launch next week, with our new compact mirrors in enamel arriving at Amazon.com. The five compacts in this collection are enamelled with jewel-like colours in Birmingham, … Continue reading
The photo story of a compact mirror, from design to manufacture
It’s going to be quiet at Powder Compacts as I work on manufacturing my first collection of compact mirrors. But, if you’d like to share the journey of the new compacts … Continue reading
First look at our new British pewter compact mirrors
I’m working with a fantastic family company in Sheffield on compacts inlaid with polished British pewter. The company’s history in pewter can be traced back to the 18th century, and … Continue reading
How to use (refill) a vintage Stratton powder compact
My new video on how to use and refill a vintage Stratton powder compact. I explain the differences between ‘convertible’ and loose powder compacts, show Stratton’s self-opening inner lid, and … Continue reading
Taking inspiration from Gwenda Butterfly Wing Compacts – foiled Kimono Silk under glass
My favourite decorative technique used by the early compact manufacturers is foiling. This is the use of silver or other high-shine metal foils to coat the under side of translucent materials. … Continue reading
Great beauty collector’s resources: Glamour by Carol Dyhouse and Glamour’s Golden Age (BBC Four)
This is my first of a series of posts on great resources if you’re interested in vintage beauty, compacts or beauty collecting. I’ve found it difficult to find serious work … Continue reading
Breathtaking bridal compacts for Stratton by Vanroe: Stunning new photos!
Ever tried to pose for a photograph you know will be published? Inspired by my visit to Stratton’s new owners last week, I decided to curate a range of Stratton … Continue reading
Stratton England powder compacts back up to buy thanks to new owners, Widdop Bingham!
Widdop Bingham, the new owners of Stratton, Britain’s last vintage powder compact brand, are doing a great job of getting the current designs back to independent retailers like me. Four … Continue reading
Some of my favourite vintage Stratton & KIGU powder compacts
My vintage compact collection grew to over 200 powder compacts last year. Here are nine of my favourites, including Stratton and KIGU…
Vintage beauty adverts and powder compacts on Pinterest
If you’ve not yet discovered Pinterest, you’re going to be delighted by this website. Pinterest is a place for ‘clipping’ and sharing images from the internet. It’s a wonderful resource … Continue reading
Compact Mirrors & Powder Compacts 