Okaaaayyyy, fam. Are you ready to talk oily skin hacks? Because, girl (or guy or they!), I know the struggle is REAL when it comes to keeping that shine in check. Like, you spend half your life blending your makeup to perfection, and just when you’re about to step out of the house, BAM: you catch a glimpse of your reflection and you’re practically glowing (and not in the cute, “I’m a glazed donut” way).
Trust me, being a makeup artist who’s tried literally ALL the things, I totally get how frustrating it is when all that oil builds up—and your face is suddenly lookin’ like it’s sweating through your foundation. 💀 So, today? We’re going after that oil with some straight-up, easy-to-do, instant mattifying hacks that actually WORK.
Now, this hack won’t take you 50 products to pull off, okay? Ain’t nobody got time for that when you need to FLY out the door!
Let’s do this!
What Causes Oily Skin? (Why Must My Face Betray Me Like This?! 😩)
Before we jump into any solutions, it helps to know why your skin is acting a fool. Thaaaat’s right, I had to go there. Most people with oily skin (me included 😬) tend to have larger oil glands that produce extra sebum. That leads to all that shiny action happening on your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin, if you’re new to the terminology).
And here’s the thing: sometimes our skin gets extra oily because we’re skipping or overdoing our skincare. Yep, washing your face too much can actually backfire, making your skin 🤯 produce more oil to protect itself. Rude, right?! And if you’re not moisturizing enough? Same story; your skin’s like, “I got this” and cranks up the oil to try to stay hydrated.
Your skin is always gonna do what it thinks is best. So showing it a little love with the right balance keeps everyone (including your makeup) happy.
But okay, enough with the sciencey stuff. Lemme pass you the actual magic wand to instantly mattify your skin and keep the grease in check like a PRO.
The One-Two Punch: Blotting Papers + Powder
Babes—it’s quick, easy, and makes a HUGE difference. Blotting papers and powder are like the dream team you didn’t know you needed.
Here’s what you’re gonna do first:
- Step 1: Whip out those blotting papers! (Get ‘em in your life if you don’t already have them; they’re the real MVPs.) These little sheets basically suck up your oil without messing with your makeup. Gently dab (not rub, girl, no rubbing) the shiny spots, and get rid of as much excess oil as you can. Trust me on this—it’s way better than piling stuff on top of that shine.
- Step 2: After blotting, it’s powder time. Now, I know a lot of people out there totally skip this or don’t wanna pack on powder because…hey, no one wants that cake face, right? But listen: you’ve already done the hard work of blotting, so now you just need a little bit of translucent setting powder. The keyword is “translucent”—you’re not trying to get extra coverage here, just tap a bit on with a fluffy brush or puff. You’re setting your already-beat face back into its cute matte glory, not baking a cake. Make sure you stash a mini-powder compact in your bag for when you’re out and about.
I KNOW you’re thinking, “Umm, that’s it?” YES! That easy. You could even do this on the metro, at work, or when you’re grabbing some iced coffee with your besties—literally takes 2 seconds. When it’s THAT fast, there are no excuses to skip it, okay?
You might never actually *stop* the oil, but you CAN manage it and make it work for you instead of against you.
Wanna Make It Last Even Longer? Introduce a Mattifying Primer.
Now if you’ve got a bit more time and you wanna go the extra mile, then grab a mattifying primer to use under your foundation. A mattifying primer can be your bestie if you’re a certified oily queen like me. Here’s the trick though: focus that magic specifically on the T-Zone. That way, you’re not wasting precious product where you don’t need it (unless your whole face is oily, in which case: feel free to go ham with the primer 😘).
Another trick? Mix your mattifying primer with your foundation for a lighter, more natural finish but STILL with the shine-control benefits. You can do this in a pinch when you’re in a rush. Just trust me, not only does this help keep the oil slick AWAY, but it also smooths everything out and makes your makeup last WAY longer during the day. Like, from “meh” to “yasss, nailed it”.
Hack for Emergencies: Use a Tissue or Toilet Seat Cover (I Know, I Know…)
Okay…This one’s kinda funny, but REAL TALK: if you forgot your blotting paper (ugh, tragic, I know) and you just NEED to get rid of that shine while you’re out, grab a tissue or—don’t knock it—use a toilet seat cover from a public restroom (obvs a clean one 😅). These work just like blotting papers in those dire, last-minute situations.
I swear, no one has to know…but you’ll be thanking me when your forehead’s not glowing like Rudolph’s nose in your best friend’s selfies.
Avoid Packing on Layers—You Do NOT Need 7 Coats of Powder! 😵
Look… adding on layers of setting powder IMMEDIATELY when you see your forehead gleaming is like the instinct for a lot of us, right? But here’s the thing: constantly adding layers on top of layers is how we end up with that dreaded cakey look. I’ve seen it happen too many times.
Let’s make a pact: blot first. Trust me. The powder will go on smoother and sit better, and you’ll just have that flawless snatched finish again instead of getting your foundation all weird and chunky. NO ONE needs to deal with that kind of drama on their face.
Do the “Pressed Powder Press”
Wanna know a lil trick the pros use? Get yourself a pressed powder and lightly PRESS it into the skin (like literally) with a puff or sponge—especially wherever you know you get oilier, like your nose or chin. This helps lock it in and gives your T-zone more power (that actually sounds kinda awesome—can they make that a comic book?! 😂). You wanna use a sponge or puff instead of a brush for extra control. It keeps the oily spots in check way longer!
Now, if you’re at home, you can even take a beauty blender dampened with setting spray, press it into some pressed powder, and apply it to your T-zone for extra staying power. Pro tip alert! 🚨
Basic Skincare Makes ALL the Difference
Sorry, okay, but I just gotta throw it out there: your skincare routine is low-key…actually, high-key a huge factor in controlling oil throughout the day. And it doesn’t have to be extra complicated either. Stick to a simple routine like:
- A gentle cleanser (nothing stripping—we said NO to overly dry face vibes, especially with oily skin—that just makes it spit out MORE oil).
- An alcohol-free toner to rebalance and prep your skin.
- A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. (I know, it sounds wrong but you DO need to moisturize—even oily skin!)
- And sunscreen, always. Don’t let oily skin trick you into thinking you can skip it 😎.
Using a routine like that keeps your skin balanced, and guess what?! It actually produces LESS oil over time👌.
Can I Use Mattifying Setting Sprays?
Um, duh! Setting sprays are an oily-skinned babe’s sidekick! But not just any spray will do. You seriously NEED a matte one. The great thing about matte setting sprays is that they give you insurance against oil. Some good sprays can absorb oil throughout the day, keeping you looking cute and fresh all day long.
Bonus: they can also give you just a hint of that airbrushed Look At Me Girl ✨ fineness.
Spray in a lil’ X across your face, then a T-shape across your T-zone. That way, you cover most oily-prone spots. Trust, your face isn’t going anywhere!
Wrapping It Up
Okay babes, I know this was a ride…but if you TRY those things, you’re gonna feel matte-tastic in no time. You don’t even have to carry around a suitcase of products, just the bare essentials to keep the shine at bay when you’re running around dominating life. You got this 💅.
“But Su, will this actually work?” Mhm, yes. It’s part magic, part real science—but mostly just smart product use and a few little tricks up your sleeve!
Get ready to tell oily skin BYE, and hello to a fresh, beat face that LASTS.
Now go SLAY!
