3 of the easiest ways to manage oily skin

Those with oily skin are all too familiar with the frustration of applying makeup in the morning only to have it looking decidedly greasy come lunchtime. Whilst setting powders go a long way in minimising shine for a period of time, sometimes they don’t quite cut it for all-day oil maintenance.

Recently celebrity makeup artist Spencer Barnes, whose celebrity client list includes Julianne Hough, Nina Dobrev and Laura Prepon, revealed to Yahoo Beauty his top three tips for anyone with oily skin. Here’s how to ensure your makeup remains luminous rather than shiny.

#1/ Opt for oil-free skin care

Barnes starts off by saying “one of the first things that I think people have a misconception about is that oiliness and hydration are the same thing.” Whilst naturally produced oils do hydrate the skin to an extent he says, “you still want to use good skin care that delivers hydration.” Barnes suggests opting for skin care that is oil-free or matte-controlling. His favourite moisturiser is the Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 PA ++ as “it actually works wonders for my really greasy girls.” If you're looking for an alternative however, the Garnier Skin Naturals Moisture Match Shine Be Gone Moisturiser is a good option to manage shine whilst hydrating the skin.

#2/ Keep your makeup simple

Although full coverage foundations work wonders for those wanting to even out their skin tone and cover imperfections, they often tend to be heavier in consistency, increasing the chance of your foundation sliding off your face. For those with oily skin, Barnes recommends choosing simple and lightweight products, especially ones with long-lasting formulas. His top choices are the Glossier Stretch Concealer and Fusion Beauty LashFusion XXL Waterproof Mascara as “you can look awake, refreshed and defined without dealing with makeup melting, transferring or creasing,” he says. For Australian buyers unable to get their hands on the Glossier Stretch Concealer and Fusion Beauty mascara, we recommend the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer and Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Waterproof Mascara.

#3/ Have blotting sheets on hand

As mentioned earlier, setting powders do work wonders initially, however, if constantly applied throughout the day they can turn into a cakey, clumpy mess. Therefore, Barnes suggests lifting any oil with a blotting sheet first and then adding powder for continued shine control if necessary.

Image credit: Getty: @spenserbarnesla