Five Makeup Hacks for Oily Skin
Oily skin has been the bane of my beauty and skin care existence for as long as I can remember. I've tried every tip and trick you can imagine to counteract my oil production and to keep my makeup matte and shine free.. It wasn't until I got serious about my skin care that things started to change. Once I learned that oily skin is actually dehydrated skin I had a skin care epiphany and began approaching my skin in a completely different manner. I stopped focusing on controlling my oil and started focusing on balancing my skin. Hydration has become the most important aspect of my daily skin care routine. I have also completely changed the way I not only apply my makeup but what I'm using and how I use it. Below are a few of the makeup hacks that have actually worked for me and some that I have permanently incorporated into my makeup routine.
Incorporate Hyaluronic Acid Into Your Skin Care
Okay so I know this post says makeup hacks, but this is technically a makeup hack and a skin care one. The base for great-looking makeup is decent skincare. And incorporating hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine will directly affect your oil production and the longevity of your makeup. I started using it at the beginning of this year and it has really improved my skin overall. I apply mine before my water gel moisturizer in the mornings. And you don't have to spend a ton of money on it. The one I use is from The Ordinary and costs $7.
Learn To Layer Properly
I used to use matte e'erthang when I first started wearing a full face of makeup. The matter the better as I thought this is what I needed to keep the oil monster at bay. But by the end of the day I was still a grease ball. Why? Because I was drying the hell out of my skin! And if you are doing this you probably are too. Dry skin means oilier skin. You skin will produce more sebum (oil) to counteract the drying effects of the matte products you use. The way to remedy this is to be strategic about what matte products you use, and layer them with hydrating products. If I decide to wear a super matte foundation (which is pretty rare these days which I will discuss further down in this post), I use a hydrating primer. I then apply a thin layer of setting powder. A mattifying setting spray followed by a hydrating setting spray (like MAC Fix +). Matte foundations can be incredibly drying, by pairing them with hydrating products you are counteracting this. If I wear a hydrating or natural finish foundation I reverse these steps a bit. I use a mattifying primer and then apply my foundation. I then apply a mattifying powder followed by a matte setting setting. And finish with a hydrating setting spray.
Set Your Face Twice
I started doing this recently and it's been a game changer. Especially when wearing a more hydrating or natural finish foundation. Once I have applied my base (primer, foundation, concealer and powder), I set my face with a matte setting spray. Once I have sprayed my face, I take my damp beauty sponge and press the setting spray into my skin (I learned this trick from Alissa Ashley on YouTube). I then apply the rest of my face makeup (blush, highlighter) and set my face again - this time with a hydrating setting spray. This will keep you makeup from looking too flat and powdery and will let your makeup sink into your skin for a more natural effect. It will also make your highlighter POP.
Let Go Of the Matte Foundation
Matte foundation was my jam for so long. The matter the better. And when you're oily it's kind of ingrained in you that you need a matte foundation. I don't believe this to be true. For the longest time Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place was my Holy Grail foundation. I've raved about it on this very site. But I haven't touched it in months. And the last time I did it felt heavy to me (which it never really did before). The same goes for my Fenty Pro Filt'r foundation. Which is hands down the mattest foundation I own. My skin was always hella oily at the end of day when I wore it and now I understand why. It's drying. I can wear it with a hydrating primer and a hydrating setting spray but I still find that my skin will produce more oil when I wear it than when I wear my Physician's Formula Healthy Foundation. If you are still getting really oily throughout the day maybe it's time to ditch the matte foundation.
Powder before Foundation
So you're going to be out in hot weather all day or going out with friends and need your makeup to be flawless for hours on end? The tips above just aren't going to do it? It's time to bring out the big guns. I always hesitate to recommend this because it's a heavy duty hack. This is not for a "light coverage day". I learned this trick from Wayne Goss by way of Jackie Aina. And I have only ever used it a few times myself for special occasions. It does work for the most part. You just need to make sure you are using a good setting powder. Ones that I have tried that worked: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder and Maybelline Fit Me Loose Setting Powder.
How it works: After applying your primer you want to apply a layer of setting powder with a damp beauty sponge, concentrating it on the areas where you get the most oily. The layer should be thin but visible. Then apply your foundation as your normally would and set your face again with the powder and a setting spray. This hack works. And your skin will look flawless. But it will look like you are wearing heavy makeup so just be aware of that.
Oily nose? Try using an eye shadow primer
I learned this trick from Makeup For WOC on Twitter. She is a fellow oily skin gal and stated that she uses an eye shadow primer (I used Urban Decay Primer Potion), or glitter glue on her nose before applying her foundation. Th reasoning behind this is that it creates a matte, tacky base for foundation to adhere to. My nose is where I get the oiliest and I have a hard time keeping foundation on it. This little trick does work. But if you are breakout prone be careful. I suggest trying the eye shadow primer and not glitter glue to avoid clogging your pores.
Are you a fellow oily skin Queen? What are some of the tips and hacks you use to keep the oil monster at bay? Let me know in the comments!
