Makeup For Oily Skin: Tips For Lasting Wear

Unfortunately, dealing with makeup that slides off the face by noon is an all-to-common oily skin woe. The good news: if you have oily skin, you aren’t destined to a life of short-lived beauty looks. For makeup that lasts, the secret formula is properly prepping the skin and following a few expert application techniques—and of course, picking the right makeup. 

Oily Skin 101

All of us have sebaceous glands—small glands in the skin that are responsible for making sebum (our skin’s natural oil). With oily skin, these glands go into overdrive and produce more sebum than normal. 

For makeup wearers, that extra oil can be a burden, breaking through makeup and resulting in patchy and uneven coverage after just a few hours.

Another oily-skin situation? Enlarged pores. Excess sebum can actually clog pores and make them appear larger—especially once makeup settles in. But with the right products and techniques, it’s totally possible to achieve long-lasting makeup with a beautiful finish.

It Starts with Skin Prep 

Finding the right makeup for oily skin is only half the battle. For long-lasting makeup that doesn’t disappear before lunch, you need to put just as much thought into how you prep your skin. 

First, you’ll want to start with a clean, moisturized face. Moisturizer is essential for all skin types—even super oily skin. In fact, it’s crucial for preventing dehydration. While it seems counterintuitive, it’s important to keep oily skin hydrated to prevent it from producing even more oil to “fix” the problem. This ultimately does more harm than good for your makeup. Beyond that, a good moisturizer will also ensure the complexion is soft and supple, giving you a smooth base for easy and even makeup application. 

For the best results, reach for a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that softens and hydrates without feeling heavy on the skin. A gel or gel-cream moisturizer is oily skin’s best friend. 

Before applying foundation, you’ll need a good primer. This step is non-negotiable—especially for oily skin. It will give your makeup something to grip on to, ensuring it doesn’t fade halfway through the day. Mattifying primers are great for oily skin, as they work to control excess oil, minimize shine, and keep your makeup in place. They also create a smooth, even canvas for seamless application. 

Wearing eye makeup? Prime your eyes to prevent smudged eyeliner and uneven eyeshadow.

Finding Your Oily Skin Makeup Formula

Using the right foundation for your skin type can make or break your makeup look. While some foundations weigh down the skin, others have a lightweight, barely-there finish that covers imperfections.

When choosing the best foundation for oily skin, you’ll need to determine the coverage and finish you are looking for. Many with oily skin like using weightless powder-based formulas, as they offer matte, even coverage while simultaneously softening the look of pores and imperfections. Powder foundations also absorb excess oil to minimize shine and prevent fading. 

There are so many pros to using powder formulas, but keep in mind they often don’t give you the same level of coverage and glow that cream and liquid foundations offer. 

If you’ve ever felt uneasy about using a liquid or cream foundation on your skin, rest assured: these formulas can actually be a perfect match. Look for something lightweight that gives you the coverage and dewiness you desire without weighing your complexion down. 

Beyond finding a lighter formula, the secret to making a cream or liquid-based foundation work for your oily skin is using it in tandem with a finishing powder. You can apply this powder wherever you are particularly prone to oiliness (typically the t-zone), or diffuse a light layer all over the face. 

A finishing powder sets your makeup and provides a mattifying effect for long-lasting, shine-free wear. On top of that, it also has a blurring effect for a naturally flawless look. Basically, the cream/liquid foundation and finishing powder combo is an unstoppable duo for oily skin, especially for those who prefer medium or full coverage. 

Application Techniques

For the best results, perfect your makeup routine with these application techniques for oily skin: 

Slowly Build Your Coverage: It’s easy to go overboard with foundation application. Applying too much product can lead to your skin looking and feeling greasy, so it’s best to take a more conservative approach. Start with a light layer of foundation, then determine if and where you need more coverage before building.

End with a Setting Spray: Once you’ve applied all of your makeup, finish your beauty routine with a setting spray that locks in your entire look for the longest wear possible.

Touch Up with Powder: Keep a powder compact in your bag to touch up as needed throughout the day. Not only will this help keep shine in check, but it also extends the life of your look to keep your makeup looking fresh. 

Perfect Your Makeup Routine with Patrick Ta

Knowing the right products and application techniques for your skin type is essential for any beauty look. While oily skin can be tricky to work with, knowing what works (and doesn’t work!) with your skin is the secret to consistently achieving flawless, long-lasting makeup.