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Must Haves for Controlling Oily Skin


I have extremely oily skin. Forget the t-zone, my face is oily all over! Thanks dad. Oily skin is suppose to be great for keeping your skin looking younger longer, which is awesome, but it’s horrible if you want a long lasting matte makeup look. My battle is with oily skin, but I’m sure there is someone out there that has similar feelings about their dry or combination skin…the grass is always greener on the other side.

The past cooler winter days gave my skin a much needed break, with minimum oil to deal with. However, I live in southern Texas, where the climate is hot and humid during the summers, which can be brutal! Not to mention we can have every season within a week. I have spent many seasons, especially summers, growing up with my face looking like a disco ball because my skin was so oily. This is probably a little TMI, but I could literally take the backside of a butter knife and glide it up the side of my face, and get a good amount of sebum (oil) on it. Disgusting, I know. I would go through a pack of blotting paper in two days which is absolutely ridiculous, but true. Thank goodness there are a variety of products available now that helps control aggressive oily skin. With trial and error you will eventually find the one, or a combination of products, that works for you.

As I got older I started to learn, and try, different skincare products and makeup that helps shrink pores and combat shine. I have spent hundreds of dollars, maybe even a thousand or two overtime, on products in an attempt to control my oily skin. I am forever trying and changing my skincare routine and makeup regimen. Everyone doesn't have time for a full beautifully makeup look. So here I have listed some of my favorite products, along with their links for your shopping convenience, I'm currently using for my simple everyday on-the-go look.

After cleaning my face, I apply Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer. The texture is a smooth, dry, light cream that goes on easily, instantly giving you a matte look.

I follow it up by spot treating any clogged pore breakouts I may have with COVER FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment if necessary. It is a thin gel, and a little goes a long way.

I prefer an eye shadow to fill in my "expressions", expressions are what I call my eyebrows. I like to use Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Black Plum for my eyebrows. I personally have not found, or tried enough eyebrow kits, that I like, but when I do I will definitely share. Until then, this works very well for my brows. I also love that it doesn't take a lot to spread and fill in considering I have very thin eyebrows.

After priming my face I give my skin a light mist of Make Up Forever Mist & Fix, concentrating more so around the eye area. I do this because it gives a little moisture that helps my concealer go on smoother. However, my sister has combination skin and likes to dab very little KORRES Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil underneath her eyes before applying concealer. It smells so good and absorbs into the skin.

I then go in with NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Amande to cover any acne scaring I sometimes have, and hide dark circles I get from late night blogging. I love products that doesn't require a lot of product to get the job done, and this is one of them. I has a dryer feel to it unlike most concealers I have used in the past, but that's to be expected because it is a matte concealer. It goes on and blend easily, but what I love most is the packaging because it allows you to completely use all of your product.

Sometimes, when I want to be a little extra and have spare time, I'll bake using Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. It definitely helps to fight off the oil in those problem areas for most. I use it on my cheeks, bridge of nose, chin, lower forehead, and jawline. I don't let it sit for long when I'm going for a natural look, just a minute or two and I'm good to go.

Depending on my mood, and my time, I sometimes go for a little bronzing. For this, I lightly use Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact in Bronze 04. It goes on smoothly and evenly in the hollows of my cheeks, my temples and hairline, and alongside the bridge of my nose.

I don't wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis. When I don't want to be completely without makeup, I like my makeup to be as close to natural looking as it can be. I do this by blending everything with Cover FX Matte Setting Powder in Deep, a lightweight tinted powder. This powder is a great choice for a light coverage, and looks good, and works well, even without baking or bronzing.

I move on to spritz my face with COVER FX Mattifying Setting Spray. It is a fast drying spray I mist all over my face giving my makeup a matte look. I have been using this product for a several weeks now and I am loving it!

Last but not least, most times I end my look with a lip liner and lipgloss or lipstick. I'll go into details about what products I like to use for my lips in a different post. Today, I just wanted to list what I moisturize my lips with. I hate my lips being dry, so it is a must that I have my trusty eos Smooth Lip Balm Sphere (pictured is Pomegranate Raspberry) to bring moisture back into my lips.

I have tried many different products and have spent lots of money in the process. Some I have disliked, others I have loved but were discontinued, and the rest I am currently satisfied with their results. I’m always on the lookout for products that work for my skin type...if there is a category for extremely oily skin. So far, these products I have listed above works great for me, and has helped to tame my oily skin, not completely, but enough. Keep in mind, I am not a makeup artist, nor am I an esthetician. I am a beauty enthusiast who looks for products that works. I share these products with you in hopes that it will help you too.

xo,

M&C

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