How to Keep your Skin Matte

Even normally dry folks have to suffer through the summer dew. And when I say "dew" I mean the shiny, slick, doubles-for-a-mirror T-zone that is your face from June to September. Depending on your level of sheen, pore-size and makeup routines, we can create your perfect de-greasing routine!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blotting papers
• Mineral veil
• Flat brush
• Oil controlling lotion

1. The best way to de-shine, is to prevent it! Before your makeup routine, prep your skin with a oil-controlling lotion. Almost every makeup and skin-care line offers a pore-reducing or oil-controlling product. None makes you matte all day, but they do help. Check the link at the bottom for my fave.

2. Instead of finishing your routine with pressed or loose powder--try minerals! Even those of you who hate a mineral foundation (me too!) can benefit from a loose, "setting" mineral powder. This will keep your makeup in place without adding a ton of bulk or color. See the link below.

3. So, once you've prepped and primed in the smartest way possible, there are a few options for "blotters" throughout the day. One of the most popular, of course, are the ubiquitous blotting papers. There are roughly 7,895 kinds, and they're cheap enough to test out a few to find your favorite.

4. If you, like me, feel the papers remove too much make-up, try a very finely milled pressed powder and a flat brush. I like a flat, synthetic brush which I then press onto the powder, and similarly press onto the spots which need some de-shining--this usually means apples of cheeks, chin and forehead.

Tips & Warnings

• The best oil-remover for gals who don't wear makeup is definitely the blotting paper. A heavily made-up gal wants to stay away from them because it will basically erase your face!
• Also, if you're big-pored, the blotting paper is your enemy! They take away that smooth look will reveal a bigger pore.
• Try using a tinted moisturizer for summer--your regular foundation will become extra oily in the summer.

Resources

• Mario Badescu oil control
• Mineral Veil
• Blotting Papers

[Susanh]

on 11/22/2008 Thank you for these tips. I had tried the blotting papers, but I did notice they seemed to remove some of the "smooth" look for me.

[LNAngel]

on 5/19/2008 Very helpful in the summer months. I love blotting papers! 5 stars!

[CCrock]

on 1/7/2008 Great article. I just recommended the use of blotting papers in one of my recent articles. They are so great to have!