Makeup for oily skin.

Jan 27, 2015

Lorin L.

Help! I know nothing about makeup. I have oily skin and just can't seem to find the right makeup products for me. I plan to go to Ulta later today and get all new stuff. Any suggestions? Positive/negative experiences? Thanks in advance for the help :)

Jan 27, 2015

lovey o.

A primer is a must!! The benefit and smash box has great primers for oily skin. MAC studio fix fluid or MAC prolong wear foundation are great for oily skin. Stila stay all day foundation is also great

Jan 27, 2015

Shauna S.

Use a primer on your face and eyes! I like urban decay primer potion for the eyes and hourglass veil mineral primer for the face. for foundation I recommend Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + or L'Oreal true match if you're looking for something more natural. also use a setting powder. I really like Marcelle pressed powder or Loreal true match powder.

Jan 27, 2015

Sarah B.

Lorin, I have struggled and struggled with oily skin and finding the correct routine. I have finally found one that works great for me. 1- Apply my moisturizer. I use Say Yes to Carrots Daily Moisturizer. It is for oily/troubled skin. 2- I prime my skin with Milk of Magnesia. This really seems to do the trick for keeping my oil at bay, and I work long hours at a restaurant. I pour a quarter size into the cap, and apply with a synthetic buffing brush. 3- I apply my Urban Decay Naked foundation after the milk of magnesia has dried. I use about 2 pumps that I buff onto my face. 3- (optional) Apply concealer/cream highlight and contour and blend 4- I always set my makeup with loose powder (Tarte Amazonian Translucent is my favorite!! Goes on flawlessly and does not look powdery at all!

I keep a MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in my purse for touchups thought the day (in NW20) this routine has proven to be long lasting and requires less powder throughout the day!

Jan 27, 2015

Lorin L.

Okay, thank you! This might be a silly question but should I moisturize my face and then put a primer on or just start my makeup routine with the primer? I wasn't sure if the moisturizer was helping or hurting my oil situation.

Jan 27, 2015

Sarah B.

Definitely moisturize after you wash your face. But reseat some moisturizers for oily skin. The only reason your moisturizer would hurt you is if you were applying something that has oil in it.

Jan 27, 2015

Lorin L.

Oh thank you so much Sarah! You answered my last question as I was typing it :) I think I'm going to try out that routine and pray it works just as good for me! You are awesome.

Jan 27, 2015

Rissa G.

I would personally stay a way from a primer that is too silicone-y (smash box) as it doesn't help the longevity of makeup for us oily skin gals. At least in my experience. Sarah's suggestions are great. Always set with powder!

Jan 27, 2015

Shauna S.

Always moisturize even if you have oily skin. the right skincare routine will actually help in improving your skin ans make it mess oily over time. cleanse, tone, and moisturize before applying makeup. I really like the body shop's aloe vera night cream. the day cream is quite heavy but the night cream soaks in right away.

Jan 27, 2015

Shauna S.

**less oily

Jan 27, 2015

Jenny A.

Yes, it's counterintuitive, but moisturizer will almost always make your makeup last longer. If you have oily skin it will prevent your skins own oil releases, and if you have dry skin it will keep your face from drinking up all your makeup.

Jan 28, 2015

Nikki D.

Sorry I'm not much help, I'm in the same boat as you here! But, @Sarah B. I was going to try using milk of magnesia as a primer after seeing the impressive results from some youtubers but I heard that MOM is too basic for our ph levels on our skin and that it can hurt the skin on our face in the long run?? Do you know if that's true?

Jan 28, 2015

Nikki D.

However I have tried a few foundations recommended for oily skin and I have to say I didn't like the Kat Von D, covergirl clean for oily skin, the Revlon Colorstay whipped, covergirl 3 in 1 or Neutrogena shine control (I believe that's what it's called) mostly because none of them could match my skin color, I have a neutral undertone and light (NOT FAIR) skin and the shades always turned up too orange for me.

Kat Von D- extremely mattifying, accentuates my large pores and smile lines, very full coverage so half a pump pretty much covers your face. Feels lightweight. Dries pretty fast, and is best to use with a brush. Lasts about 5 hours before your face gets shiny. Was too orange for me. (Finish is too matte to look natural which I don't really like)

Covergirl clean for oily skin- was too orange for me, looks natural and is light/medium coverage. Held oil for about 3 hours for me, I'm extremely oily!

The revlon colorstay whipped- actually the one I'm using right now because I can't afford a new foundation. It's the best out of these, though. Stays for a good 6 hours before shine shows through and has medium/buildable coverage. Color is closer to my natural skin than the other foundations. Best to apply with hands. Has a satin finish. It looks pretty natural for how good the coverage is.

Covergirl 3 in 1- Oxidized 2 shades darker than the color I chose throughout a few hours so I took it off! However I heard it holds up oil pretty well, and it didn't get oily at all in those 2 hours.

Neutrogena shine control- light coverage, barely medium. Didn't hold my oil whatsoever, and didn't have my colors. Easy to blend.

Also, I tried the UD Naked foundation, and I think it holds up pretty well but tends to seperate on my skin after 6 hours with powder, and it feels slick. If I barely touch my face it will come off, and 2 layers of it feels like a mask. (All the other foundations I just wore by themselves though, without a primer or powder so they might be way better with those things)


A few foundations I've heard that are good for oily skin are Estée Lauder's DW, Lancôme tient idole 24 hr foundation, and MUFE Matt Velvet +. I think most of these are full/medium coverage though, which is what I'm afraid of because those aren't really natural looking. I reccommend you sample these things before you buy!

Jan 28, 2015

Marilyn A.

The E.L.F. Acne fighting foudation is AMAZING & only $6!! But it is a full cover foundation.

Jan 28, 2015

Isabella K.

I actually have really oily everywhere but my cheeks and what I tend to do is use a great primer and powder. Doing this, I can be able to use foundations that don't even do any oil control, but I still look good all day.

Jan 28, 2015

Isabella K.

Also, I find that using skincare controls oil better than any makeup. I use Clinique face wash and toner before I put on makeup and that keeps my oils at bay :) I don't even use oil controlling foundations!

Jan 28, 2015

Lorin L.

Any experiences with MAC Pro Longwear Foundation?

Jan 28, 2015

Melissa M.

Mattifying primer With a oil free matte finish foundation and a good matte setting powder with a de slick makeup setting spray From Urban decay


Foundation I recommend: Naked skin, Tarte , Kat Von D
Setting powder: Translucent powder, rimmel stay matte
And the urban decay setting spray