Men claim they hate makeup. “I’ll take her swimming.” Here is the thing, men/boys are just dumb so forget them. Plus this shit won’t budge.
Some like bags, I love makeup. It is super important to wash your brushes. These brushes trap dirt and bacteria which can facilitate oily skin, which would be counterintuitive. Now, I use baby shampoo or cooking oil+dishwashing liquid - it’s cheap and effective.
Now, bomb makeup begins with your skincare routine. It is SO important to figure out your skin type: oily, dry, combo, redness, sensitive. Once you figure it out it is so much easier to know which products work or do not work for your skin. I have oily skin, so while I will point out some universal products - A LOT cater to oily/combo skin.
Cleanser/Moisturizer
- Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion Moisturizer: This moisturizer is incredible for combo/oily skin. It does not make your face feel greasy. If you are anything like me (you have oily sections and dry sections), this magical potion works to cater to both of those sections.
- Clinique Facial Soap (Oily/Combo): I have used both and I prefer the oily one. However, both work exceptionally well at oil control especially if you pair it with the moisturizer. If you have more dry patches, then I would suggest you use the combo. *Although I have never tried it, Clinique has a bar for acne prone skin. These bars are also relatively cheap, as they last forever.
- Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser: I have only tried the sample bottle from Macy’s ($10), I found this product to be really good at oil control. Actually, it seems to work well for all skin types. I think I may switch to this after I finish my bar. It really foams nicely, so if you use one of the cleansing brushes then it is perfect.
- Cleanser Brushes (Vanity Planet/Clarisonic) - These brushes can be very pricey, I agree. However, they should be incorporated into your nightly skin routine. They dig deep into your pores to remove all the dirt and bacteria, which causes the excess oils. SO, I call this an investment. ALSO, I here is a discount code that drops the price to $30. You can thank me later.
Primer
I have used many primers and I find these to be the best for oily skin.
- Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector: HOLY GRAIL PRIMER. It is the best primer you will ever find to do the job, I pinky promise. You literally see the primer forming this coat to fight oil monsters. This is beyond amazing for oil control and a wee bit goes a very LONG way. I bought this product in November and I have hardly put a dent in it. It is very thick in comparison to other primers. That being said, I do not think it does wonders for pores like it claims to. Have no fear! In care you did not know, you can pair primers.
- Benefit Porefessional: ***This primer does not eliminate your pores, but it does reduce the appearance significantly. It has a silicon texture, so if you have oily skin you will want to put this on top of a oil-control primer (BECCA). I have huge pores on my nose and this really lessens the appearance. You should dab it on to the area instead of rubbing it on (so it settles into the pores).
Foundation
Primers should be used with these foundations. People don’t take advantage of it as they ought to, but sephora has samples (usually lasts for 10 days). I tried the Kat Von D sample and I used the sample for a month. Do this to see how your skin reacts, because everyone is different. What may work for me, may not work for you.
- Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation: Prepare, this feels/smells like paint because it is full coverage. It looks like you are wearing makeup. Some people claim it is not compatible with oily skin (this is bullshit). If you pair it with the correct primer (BECCA) - I promise it is miraculous. You will actually look flawless. If you have large pores, you will want to apply this foundation with a sponge to reduce the thickness of its consistency. Furthermore, if you have large pores you will definitely want to pair this with a primer as it WILL settle into your pores. It does not transfer (if it does, then only slightly). You be looking like Barbie and shit with this. HOLY GRAIL FOUNDATION. I personally like to apply it with a stippling brush. You do not necessarily need concealer with this foundation. If I wanted to cover my nipples, I literally could with this foundation.
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup: This foundation is medium coverable and it is buildable. The label claims it will not smudge/smear/whatever with sweat and I will definitely say it is sweat proof. This foundation does last for many hours - it is very long wearing. However, I would not recommend it for pictures. If you will wear this around cameras, I highly recommend liquid contouring your hairline and jawline. There is a flashback. BUT, if you are just going for lunch or hanging out in the day, then I highly recommend this. It does not look as heavy as the Kat Von D foundation does. And it does not transfer to those white bed sheets - aka our enemy.
- Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation: Long live this foundation! It is medium coverage, and again it is buildable. If cameras will be around then you NEED this. It looks amazing if photographs. I would not say it is made for oily skin and there will need to be some touching up, however, if you use a primer and oil control skincare then it should be absolutely fine. I wear this to parties and I’ll be sweating my ass off, I’ll walk out looking like Bey. No lie.
- L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation: This is a drug store foundation and the one I usually wear to classes. I recommend applying this foundation with a damp beauty sponge (I personally do not like using it with a brush). It is totally worth the price. If you have oily skin - this may be the drugstore HOLY GRAIL. Now, if you have dry patches then I urge you to be very careful with using this foundation because it can get flakey.
Concealer
If you have any concealer recommendations, please pass it on. For some things, I recommend the Sephora brand because it is not high-end prices and a little bit more expensive than drug-store. That being said, I recommend a few of their things not all.
- Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum: I recommend using this concealer to correct dark circles and redness (because these products do not need to be high-end/heck you can use drugstore). It is very good and super affordable, BUT it NEEDS to be set with a good translucent powder.
- Mac Prolong Wear Concealer: HOLY GRAIL ALERT. I have been using this for YEARS, it may have been one of my first high end purchases. The little tube goes a very very long way (within the last three years, I have only finished one tube and I am onto my second one). I do not really try new concealers because this has never let me down. There are so many colors for all complexions. I usually apply this with a beauty blender but if you want more coverage then you can use a concealer brush. It is a medium/full coverage (buildable) concealer. You must set this concealer! It is so important to set any concealer to prevent it from creasing. Although this is a thicker consistency, I do use this to highlight.
Setting Powder/Spray
For anyone who has an oily face, this is a must-do step. This helps your make up stay put. Also, the numbers refer to my ranking of these products out of 10 (10 being the highest). Each of these are great powders in the community, see which one works best for you.
- Urban Decay All Night Long Lasting/Urban Oil Control Setting Spray: I love these and I think both work equally well for oil control. I buy the travel size bottles because they do last a fairly long time plus they are convenient since I am always on the go. This product sets your make up and it prevents it from having that powdery look. It does not feel sticky. *** TIP ALERT: After spraying your face avoid doing facial expressions/wrinkling your forehead/smiling for a minute or so.
- Laura Mercier Translucent Powder (9): This powder is very fine and applies so well. No little powder blotches. If you like baking then I recommend this product. It settles into your skin so well. It definitely helps with oil control. I find myself reaching for this because I feel it adds to that flawless look. If I needed to touch up, I would use this powder throughout the day. You can get a pigmented powder or they have a universal shade for all skin tones.
- Make Up Forever HD Power (10): HOLY GRAIL ALERT! This is my favorite setting powder. It really sets my makeup really well. Here is the issue, you DO NOT want to apply this with a heavy hand because it has this whitening effect. That being said, if you use the right brush and apply it lightly then there should be no issue. Granted with this, I rarely need to touch up. However, if you do need to then I do not recommend using this product to set your face twice. For some reason, I find it to be too whitening the second time around (appears in pictures/not cute). It is a universal color for all skin tones.
- MAC Prep+Prime Finishing Powder (8): This used to be my favorite powder before I found the aforementioned products. This is a really good product, just not the most effective one for me. Now, this is the most affordable option and I think it does hold up well. Many makeup gurus swear by this stuff. I usually leave this in my purse, in the event that I need to touch up throughout the day (after Make Up Forever Powder). It is a universal color for all skin tones.
Products I Have My Eyes On
Lush Magical Moringa Moisturizer
Make Up Forever Step One Mattifier
Smashbox Pore Minimizing primer
Smashbox Primer Water
Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer
Nivea Post Shave Balm (Face Primer)
