Okay, let’s keep it real: oily skin can be a whole struggle! 🎤 You’re looking good, your makeup is beat to the gods, and then suddenly you turn into a human disco ball halfway through the day (and not the cute Lil Nas X vibe, more like the “Oops, where did this sweat factory come from?”). Thankfully, we have a secret weapon for that: mattifying primers! 🙌
Trust me, as someone who loves slaying my makeup all day for clients and knowing how Huntington Beach weather can have you shining like the sun (and not in a good way), these primers are legit the MVP of any makeup routine.👌✨ But hey, they’re not just for us makeup artists. If you’ve got oily-combo or straight-up ultra-oily skin, you NEED to know about these bad boys because they’ll keep you matte, poreless, and snatched. So, let’s get into it, babes!
What’s A Mattifying Primer Anyway?
Okay, let’s break it down real quick: a mattifying primer is like the Snapchat filter IRL… for your face. 👏 It smooths everything out, fills in pores, and—MOST importantly—kicks oily shine right in the face for hours. These primers actually create a barrier between your skin and your foundation so that your natural oils (hello, T-zone glow) don’t sneak through. It’s like putting your makeup on lock.
So if you’re out here saying, “Why does my forehead look like I could fry an egg on it?”, then yeah girl, you’re in for a treat with these primers.
The Holy Grail Of Mattifying Primers
When I say “holy grail,” I’m talkin’ set-it-and-forget-it type of magic. Let me run you through some of my absolute FAVES for all my oily-skinned babes out there:
1. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
This one is like the TikTok trend that never goes away—because it’s that good. Seriously, if you’ve been scrolling for a budget-friendly option, girl you’ve found it! It’s got a super lightweight formula that won’t feel like you’ve caked a bunch of stuff on your face. And bonus? It keeps your matte vibes going for up to 8 hours! YASSS.
“If you’re starting that ‘I don’t want to glow like a grease pan by 2 pm’ lifestyle, this primer’s for you!”
What I love about Rimmel Stay Matte is it’s got an invisible finish. So whether you’re wearing it alone or layering it underneath foundation, your skin won’t look dull or ashy. Plus, it works across all skin tones (let’s get that!) since it’s color-neutral. 😍
2. Benefit The POREfessional Matte Rescue Primer
Effort? We don’t know her when we’re using this primer. The POREfessional Matte Rescue is pretty iconic. Like, Benefit understood the assignment! 🙌 It’s a gel-based primer that won’t feel heavy, but HOLY moly does it blur those pores and make you matte for hours. It’s the perfect crossover between oily-skin control and pore-blurring magic. 💥
And, can we talk about how cute the packaging is? I just want to carry it around for the aesthetic LOL.
Also, if you’ve been skipping primer because you feel like it clogs your pores… well, this one’s got a water-based formula that chillaxes and lets your skin breathe, okay?
3. Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer
Milk Makeup really did that when they dropped this one! First of all, cruelty-free: so you already know we stan.🐰💕 Second, this bad boy literally blurs your pores and keeps shine on lockdown. Like, sniper lockdown. 🎯 They slipped niacinamide into the formulation so not only are you staying matte—you’re also low-key treating your skin while you wear it (two birds, one stone!).
“If you’re that person who always says, ‘I don’t like primers because they make me greasy,’ try this. It’s your life-changer.”
Now if you have sensitive skin that breaks out easily, don’t worry: This baby won’t break you out. The formula’s super gentle. Just apply this before your foundation and bada-bing, your makeup is staying put. 📸👑
4. Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer
Smashbox was already iconic for their original Photo Finish primer—y’all remember when everyone talked about that in 2014 Tumblr beauty blogs, amirite? 😂 Now, they’ve given us a special upgrade for oily girls, and we LOVE to see it.
This primer gives you an instant matte finish in a lightweight formula, with no pilling (praise the primer gods 🙏). What’s even cooler is they’ve packed it with salicylic acid, so you’ll be controlling oil while keeping any unwanted zits at bay. All of that while keeping your makeup looking fresh through a heatwave? I’ll take it! 😎 (Ideal for summer festivals, like Coachella or those endless beachy days!)
5. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer
Y’all know we couldn’t go without mentioning Fenty, right?! Cmon now—Rihanna won’t let us shine (in all the best ways 🤣). The Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer is another one that feels fantastic on the skin. It’s like velvet, but then also like a shield to repel all the oil away from your makeup. Insta-ready skin? Check!
And babes, let’s not forget that Fenty caters to ALL skin tones, so this primer works gorgeously no matter your shade. Plus, y’all: when RiRi made this, she didn’t just make it matte—it also extends the life of your makeup like WHOA. Sis didn’t come to play! 💅
How To Apply Mattifying Primers (Like The Pro You Are!)
Okay, so now you got your fave mattifying primer ready to go, but let’s talk application for a sec so you don’t accidentally turn your look into a cakey hot mess. 😅 Y’all know what I mean: sometimes less is more, trust me.
- Start with CLEAN skin! I know you’re tempted to just slap on a base, but girl, wash your face first! Cleansing off any excess oil gives the primer a better surface to stick to, and your makeup won’t slip-slide away by noon.
- Dab, don’t rub. Use just a small dot of primer and work it into your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) with your fingers or a brush. This will give you the most oil control where it counts. Yes, that shine factory on your forehead? We’re calling it out!
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Give it a minute. Let the primer sit for 1-2 minutes before going in with foundation. You want the primer to fully dry down and get all mattified on your skin, not mix with the foundation. Patience is key here, babe!
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Use a matte foundation. A mattifying primer paired with a dewy foundation? Nope—it’ll confuse your whole look. Make sure you’re locking in the matte with a solid matte foundation. Stay consistent, fam!
Pro Tips For Keeping Oil In Check ALL Day
Okay, so you’re probably thinking: “Alright, I’m all primed up, but how do I make sure I stay slayed all dayyyy?” I got you!
1. Use a Mattifying Setting Spray
After finishing up your full beat, lock it in with a mattifying setting spray (like the Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Matte or Morphe Mattifying Continuous Setting Mist). These baddies will keep things in place and stop oil from making any surprise appearances later in your day.
2. Blotting Sheets are Your BFF
Even with the best mattifying primer, sometimes skin just does what it does. Keep blotting sheets handy in your bag to soak up extra shine without disturbing your makeup! (AND they’re a lifesaver at events—you can pull these out without needing to run to the bathroom.)
3. Powder On-The-Go
Translucent powder: you should always have one in your back pocket. Products like Fenty’s Universal Invisimatte Blotting Powder will blot without layering product. So if your T-zone decides to sweat up a storm, you can keep slaying!
And there you have it—everything you need to know about mattifying primers to keep that face shine-free all day long! 💅 Catch me glowing with highlight and NOT oil, mkay?
