Why, oh why did girls in the 50s ALWAYS get compacts for Christmas and birthdays?

[bobbieinok]

Or was it that my aunts just couldn't think what to give a girl who was maybe too old for dolls?

Do compacts even exist anymore?

[rzemanfl]

1. Boys got wallets and keychains. I was in my mid-twenties before I actually

had to buy a wallet.

[hlthe2b]

2. Meh... the mirrors were always handy(speaking as one who wore contact lenses from early adolescence)

I'm sure they are around... Whether they contain powder or compact makeup or not, they were handy and there is still a need for mirrors today.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. They used compacts because of the mirrors. You could check

your lipstick or the guy at the next table. Still made, but little used.

[Soxfan58]

4. When they grew up in the 80s

They used the mirror for coke.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. In my case, that and a little bit of light pink lipstick was all the makeup I was allowed

to wear until I went to high school. Even then, we didn't have many choices when it came to makeup. Compacts could make a fashion statement, as well.

Check these out: https://wanelo.co/shop/vintage-makeup-powder-compact

[Siwsan]

6. I recently came across this beauty, in my late aunt's belongings

It is one of about 4 that have come my way, via family estates. It actually still contains powder and an applicator. I want to brighten it up and it needs a new mirror.

[bobbieinok]

7. That's really something else. Imagine carrying that in your purse!

[WePurrsevere]

8. Can't answer the 1st question but the answer to the 2nd...

Is, Yes. You can buy them with powder and a mirror, just two mirrors, a mirror and pill holder and possible other options. I've seen them in all sorts of places, usually in the make-up sort of area. The double mirror one is actually very handy IME.

[dawg day]

9. Everyone had shinier noses back then.

The compact Mirror also gave the girls an opportunity to discreetly check their lipstick.

[procon]

10. I remember using compacts as a teenager.

They were an affectation, a little Holywoodesque ritual that let us appear to be grown up and sophisticated with our lovely bejeweld compacts. We primped and preaned, patting on a bit of powder, puckering up to retouch our lipstick, coaxing a whisp of errant hair back into our lacquered coffures. Snapping them shut at the right moment was like a rifle shot, you were the center of attention. Waving around that little powder pad while speaking was a way to get noticed, and droppin it in front of that bad boy you wanted to meet was a great pick up gambit.

Oh, we fancied ourselves ever so glamorous and chic.

I had several, from plain to art deco keepsakes,