7 Tips And Tutorials To Do The Best Makeup For Oily Skin

It's about time you learned some easy hacks to make your makeup last all day without the shine!

Reviewed by Angela Jackson, Licensed Cosmetologist
Written by Madhumati Chowdhury, MA (English Literature)
Edited by Asmita De, MA (English)
Fact-checked by Bhumika Daga, MA (English)  • 

Be it skin care or makeup, dealing with oily skin can be challenging. Alongside choosing specific products for this particular skin type, you have to be mindful while zeroing in on the best makeup for oily skin. You wouldn’t want to see your makeup sliding off your face and looking like a mess at the end of the day. Oily skin gets greasy, and the excess shine seeps through. If you have this skin type, you need to look for long-lasting, water-resistant, sweat-proof, smudge-resistant, and oil-control makeup products that give you a matte finish. Keep scrolling to find out the best makeup for oily skin!

protip_icon Keep In Mind
  • Skin Products: Some oil-based products can break you out. Do a patch test before using a product on the face.
  • Blotting Paper: Use a blotting paper to instantly remove shine from the T-zone.
  • Makeup Products: Avoid heavy cream or oil-based products as they make the skin appear greasy.
  • Face Powder: Use a tinted or plain oil-absorbing powder to set the makeup. Use a primer that gives a matte finish.

How To Prep Oily Skin Before You Begin Your Makeup

Ladies, the key to gorgeous skin begins with a thorough skin prep. Once you understand the value of this simple routine, you’ll notice that you just don’t need as much makeup to fix all those various “situations” your skin faces. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Cleanse, Tone, And Moisturize

Find a cleanser that suits your skin type – for oily skin, a formula with salicylic acid does wonders. It helps to exfoliate your skin while it cleans without leaving it excessively dry. This needs to be followed up with a toner. Next, moisturize your face with a cream or a lotion by pressing it into your skin. It’s best to go with an oil-free moisturizer.

Nikkia, a YouTube vlogger, shared her experience and hacks for oily skin makeup. She explained, “Don’t use micellar water, and do not use makeup wipes to clean your skin in the morning. You really need to actually cleanse your skin properly with a cleanser whether that be at the sink or in the shower, either is fine. Just make sure that you don’t cut corners; cutting corners is gonna cause your skin to be a lot more oily during the day (i).”

protip_icon Quick Tip
You can use micellar water, which cleanses and mattifies the skin by using the power of small micelles (oil molecules) that work like a magnet to pull grime, oil, and debris up and away from the skin.

2. Spritz On Rose Water Or A Finishing Mist

Rose water can help reveal that natural glow and keeps your skin looking fresh and supple all day long. Spray it all over your face and neck and allow it to dry naturally before you go in with your actual makeup. You can also use a setting spray BEFORE you start your makeup as this helps create a thin layer on your skin and prevents oils from seeping through your makeup.
Try the Boscia White Charcoal Mattifying Makeup Setting Spray – its ingredients are great for your skin, and it offers serious anti-aging benefits as well.

3. Primer Is Mandatory

To get that sebum under control, a primer is an absolute must. It not only helps control oil production and makes your skin look smoother, but it also acts as glue to hold your makeup in place for long hours. Also, your foundation won’t disappear in the middle of the day. Try the Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Foundation Primer – this is specially designed for oily skin and will address most of your skin concerns effectively.

How To Apply Makeup For Oily Skin

Once you’ve finished preparing your skin, it’s time to apply your makeup. The trick is to use quality products that are designed to mattify your skin. Look for oil-free, long-wearing makeup to battle shine and oil through the day.

What You Need
  • Primer
  • Foundation
  • Blending Sponge
  • Setting Powder
  • Setting Spray

Makeup Tutorial For Oily Skin

Follow these simple steps and achieve makeup that looks flawless through the day.

1. Apply Your Foundation

Step 1 is to apply your foundation
Image: YouTube @Nikkia Joy

Once you’ve prepped your skin and applied your primer, it’s time to go in with foundation. Use a formula that will help keep your skin matte. The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation is one of the best foundations for oily skin. It lasts all day long without fading or smudging, even in scorching heat. Remember – less is more! Use a blending sponge to apply the product and make sure you only get a really thin layer on. Next, you can apply translucent powder as a base as this will also absorb excess sebum from the skin before applying makeup.

2. Go In With Concealer

Step 2 is to go in with concealer
Image: YouTube @Nikkia Joy

If you have any concerns like dark under-eye circles, redness or blemishes, apply a tiny dab of concealer on the problem areas and blend it out really well using your blending sponge. The Maybelline Fit Me Concealer is excellent for oily skin – it’s super lightweight, offers high coverage, and stays on all day long.

3. Set With A Powder

Step 3 is to set with a powder
Image: YouTube @Nikkia Joy

Use a damp beauty sponge to set your face using a translucent powder. This trick works beautifully to keep oily skin matte and shine-free for longer. The NYX Professional HD Translucent Finishing Powder is mineral-based and is perfect for an oily skin type. Go straight into the powder with the damp sponge and apply it gently by patting it all over your face. Once this is done, lightly go over all the areas with a powder brush to blend the product out well.

4. Spritz On Some Setting Spray

Step 4 is to spritz on some setting spray
Image: YouTube @Nikkia Joy

Finally, to finish, go back in with your setting spray and spray it all over your face and neck. Make sure you do not use too much of it – just a very thin layer is more than enough. This will help seal your makeup and hold it in place for hours together. You can try the Slay All Day Setting Spray In Green Tea to help control oil and greasiness.

5. Finish The Rest Of Your Makeup

Go in with a matte blush or bronzer, some eyeshadow and eyeliner, and a bit of lipstick to finish the look.

Here’s the final look!

 

Step 5 is to finish the rest of your makeup
Image: YouTube @Nikkia Joy

Makeup For Oily Skin In Summer

Makeup for oily skin in summer can get tricky. To achieve summer-ready makeup for oily skin, you have to follow a few key steps. First, begin by applying a mattifying primer for a smooth base. Opt for a long-wearing, water-based foundation to combat heat and humidity. Second, use a translucent powder on oily areas to control shine. Choose matte or oil-free formulations for blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick. Keep the makeup light and breathable. Third, consider carrying blotting papers for quick oil control on the go. Seal the look with a setting spray for lasting freshness. This simple routine ensures a professional, matte finish that stays put despite the heat.

Tips: Makeup Tricks And Hacks For Battling Oily Skin

Now that you have an idea of how to apply makeup when you battle with oily skin and what products you can use, here are a bunch of tips and hacks that will come in handy forever!

  • We’ve already stressed upon the importance of using a primer for your face, but it’s also important to prep your eyelids. If you have oily eyelids, then for the love of eyeshadow, prep them with a product specifically designed for your eyelids. This step not only creates the perfect base for your shadow but also prevents it from creasing and fading through the day.
  • Less is more! This applies to your powder as well. Going overboard often backfires by pushing more oil than usual through your pores.
  • If you want to fix that shine midday, use a blotting sheet and press it on the oily area, and then roll it off your skin. This will soak up any excess oil without wiping your makeup off.
  • To touch up your face in times of crisis, carry a mineral powder in your bag! This won’t give you the caked-on powder look and will help make your face look shine-free, even, and natural. Crisis averted!
  • When you have oily skin, dermatologists recommend exfoliating three to five times a week to slough away dead skin cells and control excess oil production.
  • It’s important to use skin care products that specifically address your skin concerns. For oily skin, products containing ingredients like tea tree, bentonite or kaolin clay, and sulfur are amazing choices – be it your face cream, mask or cleanser.
  • It’s important to not only moisturize your skin but also keep it hydrated. Drink a ton of water and incorporate products that contain hyaluronic acid into your regimen.
protip_icon Quick Tip
Add a clay mask to your beauty routine regularly to nourish your skin. It will lessen the appearance of excessive shine and assist in removing the accumulation of pollutants, dirt, and oils.

Infographic – Oily Skin Myths

Oily skin woes are indeed severe. One with oily skin understands how challenging it can be to maintain it. However, people have made endless assumptions and misconceptions about oily skin that either directly or indirectly worry those with this skin type. But fret not – we have compiled a list of oily skin myths in the infographic below that can clear the air around this skin type. Scroll down right now.

oily skin myths (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Every skin is different, and each has its unique pros and cons. So the trick to make your oily skin hold on to makeup is all about prepping the skin in the right way and choosing the best makeup for oily skin. Instead of using drying products on your skin, use products that will control the oil production. The tips and hacks discussed in the article will help you prep the skin in the right way and keep the makeup intact for the entire day. So give them a try, and we are sure your skin will love it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which makeup brand is best for oily skin?

Most makeup brands these days cater to all skin types. They have different product lines that suit oily, dry, or combination skin types and the associated concerns.

Is powder foundation better for oily skin?

Yes, they help absorb the excess oil and moisture, giving you a smooth matte finish. They are also good for acne-prone skin.

Is cream makeup good for oily skin?

Gel-like or lightweight cream makeup may work well for oily skin, provided they are non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.

Which toner is best for oily skin?

Toners containing witch hazel, salicylic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) cater well to oily skin beauties.

Is pressed or loose powder better for oily skin?

Loose powders are better for oily skin as they can be reapplied easily to absorb and mattify the shine throughout the day. Pressed powder is more suitable for targeted use in combination or normal skin types.

Key Takeaways

  • Proper skin preparation and the right choice of products is the essential part of the makeup routine for oily skin. Choose long-lasting matte-finish makeup products.
  • Salicylic acid cleanser formula is the best for oily skin due to its exfoliating properties. Follow it up with a toner and lightweight moisturizer.
  • Before the makeup application, using a setting spray and primer will help control oil production.
  • Use a damp sponge to apply the translucent powder in an even, thin layer. Excess powder might push more oil through the pores.
  • Carry a few blotting sheets and a mineral powder to dab the excess oil and touch up the matte look.
best makeup for oily skin

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to apply makeup for oily skin in this video! Get tips on the best products and techniques to keep your skin looking fresh and shine-free all day.

Personal Experience: Source

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