If you’re someone with oily skin, you’ll know the drawbacks – intimately. From always looking sweaty to smudged mascara and breakouts, oily skin isn’t a breeze. But, if you know how to work with your oily skin, and not against it, you can keep it under control, and even make it work to your advantage.
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We enlisted the help of Sydney makeup artist, Sonia Allen, who has shared some of her best makeup hacks for oily skin…
HACK #1: ONLY LIGHTWEIGHT LIQUIDS
You know the drill: you perfect priming your skin, meticulously blend and buff in your foundation and set it all but halfway through the day you’re glistening and your base is slipping all over the shop. To stop this happening, Sonia suggests using lightweight textures for liquid foundations, tinted moisturisers and liquid or cream blushes. “Heavier textures won’t sit as well on the skin as the day progresses for those with oilier skin,” says Sonia. “Great options include Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Foundation [$70 at Sephora], IT Cosmetics CC Cream [$61 at Sephora] or Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser [$66 at Mecca],” says Sonia.
beautyheaven loves: Maybelline New York FIT me! Matte + Poreless Foundation and Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 25.
HACK #2: AMP UP THE POWDER
If you have oily skin, powder is your superpower. In the morning you should set your makeup with a loose powder (Sonia suggests the Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder or Cover Fx Matte Setting Powder [$51 at Sephora]).
“Touch up throughout the day with either loose powder in a convenient brush packaging like the Colorescience Sunforgettable Brushes or a pressed powder like the Cover Fx Perfect Pressed Powder.”
But do make sure you’re only powdering the areas that need it, otherwise your makeup can end up caking. So whether it’s your forehead or your t-zone, keep the touch-ups to targeted areas.
HACK #3: WATERPROOF IS THE WAY
It’s a simple but wildly important rule for those with oily skin: waterproof mascara is a must. Your smudge-free eyelids will always thank you for it! Sonia suggests the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara ($39 at Sephora).
beautyheaven loves: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Mascara and Natio Waterproof Mascara.
HACK #4: RUN FROM RADIANCE-BOOSTERS
One of the benefits of having oily skin is the built-in glow. “If you have oily skin, chances are you won’t invest in as many “radiance” products like radiance primers or foundation. Remember that your skin’s natural sheen is what most people invest lots of time and energy trying to achieve. Having oily skin also means you don’t need to use as much product to achieve the same “glow”. Use smaller amounts of foundation or tinted moisturiser as a little will go a lot further on someone with oily skin as opposed to dry skin.”
HACK #5: HYDRATION HELPS
It sounds counter-intuitive, but adding moisture onto your already slick face can actually work wonders. “Just because skin is oily, doesn’t mean it can’t be dehydrated at the same time. Hydration is often a step people with oily skin neglect for fear of ‘overdoing it’ but if you don’t hydrate your skin, makeup won’t last as long and won’t wear well throughout the day,” Sonia explains.
Plus, a spritz of a hydrating mist halfway through the day will refresh your makeup look. Sonia recommends you have one handy – especially on hot days. “Look for ones that are alcohol-free so that they are better able to prevent makeup from fading, settling, cracking, or melting,” Sonia says.
beautyheaven loves: Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner and Natio Refreshing Face Mist.
HACK #6 PREP YOUR SKIN PROPERLY
When it comes to a lasting makeup look, preparing your skin properly is half the battle. Nail your skin care, nail your makeup. And how do you prep your oily skin?
“First step would be to use a GENTLE scrub with GENTLE motions to smooth the skin surface,” says Sonia. “Second step would be to use a hydrating serum like Aspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum or Cosmedix Affirm to ensure skin is hydrated. I would then advise to finish with a product which doubles as an SPF and oil-free moisturiser like the Aspect Envirostat [$30.80 at Adore Beauty] which offers great sun protection, vitamin E for antioxidants and a beautiful texture that doesn’t feel ‘too heavy’.”
beautyheaven loves: SK-II LXP Ultimate Perfecting Serum and Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face Lotion SPF50+.
Do you have oily skin? What makeup tricks have you picked up for your skin type?
I love their cc cream but I have the same problem! shades are a bit limited too
Took me a long time to fully accept that hydration is not the same as oil! I went through a period of just not using moisturiser which was such a mistake!! My skin was so dry but I thought that at least it wasn’t oily!
Added to favourites thank you, I have very oily skin 🙁
Like always. They got me at Oily Skin. I do see the difference when I use waterproof mascara. I tried it the other day and stick with it till this very day.
I’ve reported Jamesm12 below as spam.
Thankfully my skin is not oily but it is sensitive which has issues too
Jamesm12 reported as spam
Good list of things to remember!
Mirenesse make 2 powders which are awesome
Oily skin is not a problem for me, my skin is a bit dry and sensitive.
Great tips!!!
I don’t have oily skin. But prefer to do touch up with the loose powder during the day specially forehead.
People with oily skin may learn to appreciate it when they’re older. I know someone that has oily skin and she’s in her early seventies. She looks much younger than many people of a similar age.
Now that makes sense why I love waterproof mascara so much!!
I know the struggles of oily skin
I bought a waterproof mascara on the weekend and it’s not waterproof. Ha ha.