Simple Makeup Tips for Oily Skin

If your face often feels like a mini slip-n-slide- due to overzealous oil glands, you

probably groan at the thought of using makeup. I get it. You spend hours trying to get your look together, only to have it cake, crease and melt away in streaks and unfriendly blotches. Literally, nobody wants that.

If you have oily skin, then chances are you’ve struggled with acne, large pores, black

heads and acne scarring all your life, which means applying makeup that refuses to stay

put only adds to your frustration. Several beauty brands have tried to come to the rescue of shimmering sisters but they sometimes fall short of their sales pitch, which does very little for your midday shine. So how do you tackle this issue? What is the secret to finding the best makeup for oily skin?

The skincare secret

You probably think that the best weapon against oily skin is a face cleanser that strips

away all grease, leaving you with a tight and dry finish. Well, it turns out that you may be

doing more harm than good. Harsh products that dry out your skin after a quick rinse,

actually stimulate your oil glands to increase oil production!

You want to stay away from products that have words like ethanol, ammonium lauryl

sulfate or isopropyl alcohol, listed in the ingredients. The aim is to moisturize your skin, not dry it out. Yes, you heard me correctly, I said moisturize. I know, I know, that seems like the complete opposite of what you want to be doing instinctively, but the truth is, a lot of skin woes arise from dehydrated skin cells.

It’s a common mistake to think that oily skin requires little to no moisturizing but the

reality is that oil does not hydrate, it simply shines. Go for a nourishing, light-weight, oil absorbing, water-based moisturizer (and exfoliant) that quickly absorbs into your skin, leaving your skin radiant and refreshed.

The Makeup magic

There are three magic words for oily skin savants: water-based, matte and long-

wearing. This applies to primers, foundations, concealers and setting powders.

Beauty gurus tend not to recommend cream formulas of any kind for oily skin as they

tend not to be very breathable and can leave your face feeling heavy and your pores

being clogged.The ideal makeup product for oily skin will actually help to reduce or even prevent skin irritation and hide breakouts. Products with Vitamin A & C, rosewater, salicylic acid, and antimicrobial peptides, will have anti-inflammatory effects on your skin and will help to eliminate acne-producing bacteria. Also as a general rule, you want to draw closer to oil-free product labels.

The Priming problem

If your midday eyelid resembles an accordion or a folded paper fan with all its many

creases, then you probably think you need to revamp your eyeshadow collection.

Perhaps. But have you considered using a mattifying eye primer? This extra step will

save you tons of trips to the powder room, as the right eye primer will absorb the oil

produced by your lids and keep your masterpiece in place.

The Blotting business

Blotting is a useful technique for getting rid of unwanted sheen. If you struggle with oil

production, wiping your face while wearing makeup is still very much a no-no. Blotting

sheets help to reduce shine without smudging and smearing your makeup. Quite a

worthy investment!

The Finishing touch

Translucent or mattifying setting/finishing powders are excellent for absorbing excess

oil, keeping your makeup in place and increasing your makeup’s overall wearability. You

can use this to eliminate shine throughout the day with a quick touch-up that does not

affect the rest of your makeup in the process.

If you have oily skin, you may have to put a bit more effort into achieving that natural

glow (that has nothing to do with your oil glands). Paying attention to labels and trying

out a few products is a small price to pay for your fierceness. Extend the life of your

look. Find those beauty products that work best for you and your skin type. Your selfies,

pores, and skin will thank you for it.

If you're not an oily girl, no worries, I did not forget you. You can check out my tips on makeup for dry skin right here.

"There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book."- Josh Jameson