5 Makeup Tips on How to Stay OIL-FREE the Whole Day!

I have really oily skin. I hate going about my day knowing that in an hour or two, I'll end up greasy and eeky and gross. That's the ultimate reason why as I grow older, I find myself taking good care of my skin all the more. Yes, ladies, if you want your skin looking its best at all times, and oil-free if possible then make SKIN CARE a first priority. Ahh but you know very well that THAT requires quite a few tricks, don't you? And quite a lot of product testing. That is what led you here. You are trying to find out what products and tips work for me hoping they might just work for you. If so, keep reading.

If you asked me 10 years ago what skin care products I use, I wouldn't have cared a toot. As far as I can remember, I just use any regular beauty soap I can get my hands on. That's it. But that was over 15 years ago when I was fresh and young and barely a teen. Now I'm 34, things have changed. I've gained weight. My skin is not like it used to be. I have enlarged pores on and around my nose and face AND I get really oily around midday. That's why I go easy with makeup and make sure my skin can still breathe. It does help when you have less product on your face you know. I'll tell you why in a bit.

First things first, my top 5 makeup tips that keeps me OIL-FREE the whole day and the products that I have tried and tested and have been using for over a year that made it possible are these babies.

Tip 1:  

Use a cleanser that is for OILY SKIN types. I use Cerave Foaming Facial Wash. When I use this cleanser, my skin feels smoother and softer and NOT as oily. I highly recommend this facial wash if you have really oily skin like I do. And I mean total grease ball I-can-fry-in-a-pan all by myself.

Please take note that using this cleanser alone won't keep you from getting oily BUT it does help, in a sense that it helps your skin maintain some balance. I know because I have been using this nonstop ever since I got hold of it and it does make a difference. Please also take note that though this worked for me, it might not just work for you.

So now that the disclaimer is out of the way. Go ahead and finish with the rest of your skin care routine i.e. moisturizer and toner. As for me, I am a huge fan of the Cerave skin care line. After the facial wash, I follow it with Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 which contains Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides that are good for the skin. Do a Google search and find out what the skin experts have to say about them. Are they what your skin needs?

Cerave, both the cleanser and moisturizer, are my holy grail skin care regimen. Ever since I started using them, my skin looks healthier, like it's glowing from within. I wish I have taken before and after photos to show to you but I don't have any. I can only show what my skin is looking like these days if that helps. See below:

Outdoor shot. All I did are my brows, I got nothing else on my face.

Tip 2:

Use a reliable makeup primer that does all three: (1) Blurs the pores on your skin. (2) Controls the oil. (3) Helps keep makeup last longer. My all-time favorite is Benefit Porefessional which is really good stuff. Ahh such a little tube of perfection this product is but a little goes a long way. The downside is, this product is on the more expensive side. I cannot afford the full size one truth be told as it costs around P1,500 to P3,000 but if you are smart and don't mind doing some deal hunting like I do then go check out Instagram. There are many reliable IG sellers that sell the travel size ones at around P250 to P300. Quite a steal, no? Be careful though, not all products sold on Instagram are the real thing, some are fakes. The ones that do sell authentic minis got theirs from Sephora for free when they make purchases from the site, that's why they are selling them at a more affordable price.

If you have a different makeup primer in mind, that's fine. As long as it does all three, they will do.

Now that you've applied your primer of choice, time to do your makeup!


Tip 3:

Next up, foundation for oily skin types!

If you are not comfortable using foundation, you can skip this part. If you DO use foundation, use powder NOT liquid. Yes, you read it right. If you're the oily skin type, use powder. I switched and I haven't looked back since.

Now if you are asking me, what powder foundation could possibly replace your good ol' MAC or your good ol' Make Up For Ever Foundation then you haven't looked hard enough. I could think of two or three or four loose mineral foundation that works for oily skin types. I'll tell you of one in a minute.

First, let me be clear. I have nothing against liquid foundation. It's just that I live in a really warm place. That, plus the fact that my face produces way too much oil, whatever liquid foundation I put on ends up all over the place. Yes, even with primer. If you and I are in the same boat and you think this particular makeup tip is something you'd be willing to try then KEEP READING.

My go-to powder foundation that really works and is my HOLY GRAIL makeup product is Ellana Instensive Blend Mineral Powder Foundation, available in both loose powder and pressed powder. This is for combination to oily and acne-prone skin. I'm in the shade Almond Latte and Hazelnut Latte. If you produce twice as much oil than us ordinary oil-producing mortals or if you are acne-prone and need quite a bit more coverage than the usual then go for the Ellana Supreme Blend Loose Mineral Foundation variant. I am in the shade Radiant. For concealing, I use Awake. For contouring, I use, Macchiato, a shade that I think is perfect for morenas.

How does it work? The information below is from the website:

It's several functions are:

FOUNDATION: long-lasting coverage that lasts more than 8 hours

OIL-CONTROL: for Oily to Combination skin, regulates excessive sebum

CONCEALS & COVERS: the mineral pigments evens out skin tones, effectively covers imperfections, redness, acne, blemishes

ANTI-AGING & SUN PROTECTION: the mineral-based UV Filters sheild the skin from environmental damage,

BB CREAM or LIQUID FOUNDATION: add to any cream/mix with water/with a damp powder brush to turn into a liquid formula

How do I use it?

Tap out a measured amount on the cap of the jar. Swirl your kabuki or powder brush in the cap to pick up the product, then shake off the excess. Apply the foundation on your face in circular, buffing motions to get the best coverage. Add more layers on problem areas as needed.

I love this foundation SO darn much I don't think I can imagine a single day without it on. Almond Latte is medium to full coverage. I use just a little on and around my nose area, a bit on areas where I have large pores that need blurring, and of course, on my t-zone then I dab a damp sponge all over it for a flawless, almost like airbrush finish. The best thing about it? It is affordable and looks like second skin. I have tried so many liquid foundation but this one, this foundation helped me achieved a silky smooth, blemish-free, radiant, natural-looking skin.

A selfie to prove my point.

Indoor shot. Fluorescent lighting. Really HOT day. See the oil peeking through? 

Tip 4:

When I am done with my makeup, there are two other products that I use (sometimes I don't) that helps keep my skin oil-free. This part is optional. Feel free to skip this part, otherwise, continue reading.

I am happy just with the Ellana Intensive Blend Mineral Powder Foundation alone but if I'll be out all day and get quite a bit of sun, I make sure to dust my t-zone with a mattifying powder. I've tried two: Essence All About Matt and Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, both are translucent and both functions the same way. I prefer Rimmel Stay Matte though.

The other product (this part is also optional) that I like using is the E.L.F. Makeup Mist and Set which beauty bloggers claim to be a dupe to MAC Fix Plus. The purpose of this is to take away that powdery look on your face. I find that spraying this on my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge then dabbing them all over my face does a better job than spritzing.

Tip 5:

Now when all that is done. Go out and enjoy the day. Don't forget to BLOT. The first four tips done correctly will help you survive a warm summer day with less oil to worry about but blotting will forever be essential. If you're the oily skin type, you'll know that blotting papers are life savers. I always have a packet handy for when I am extra oily.

Until my next post! Love, love, love!