Makeup For Combination Skin: Step By Step Guide

We get it: combination skin isn’t the easiest skin type to work with. But with some expert techniques and high-quality makeup products, you can create fresh, gorgeous makeup looks that let your skin shine. We’ve created the ultimate guide on makeup for combination skin to help you master your artistry and achieve versatile, glam beauty looks.  

What is Combination Skin?

Combination skin deals with both oily and dry areas. Most often, you’ll see excess oil coming through in the T-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin), and drier skin on the cheeks and along the jaw. 

This is what makes combination skin a bit tricky to work with, particularly when it comes to makeup application. You have to account for both dryness and excess oil. It may sound like an impossible task, but don’t worry – with the right makeup products and a carefully crafted skincare routine, you can perfect the combination skin beauty routine. 

Skincare Prep for Combination Skin

Proper skin prep is always a critical step when it comes to makeup application, but it’s even more important for combination skin. A good skincare routine will balance the skin and create the best canvas for seamless and easy makeup application. 

After cleansing, always apply a hydrating serum to the skin. These serums are generally gentle and lightweight enough to use on oil-prone areas, and are great for boosting hydration levels for soft, supple skin. 

Once you’ve applied any serums, apply a moisturizer to your complexion. Gel and gel-cream formulas are perfect for combo skin, as they provide enough moisturization without feeling too heavy.

It’s also important to exfoliate on a regular basis to eliminate rough texture (especially in drier areas) and create a smooth, even base for your makeup. Chemical exfoliants made with both alpha and beta hydroxy acids are especially great for combination skin. The BHAs work deep in the pores to clear away excess oil and debris, while the AHAs dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.

Step-By-Step Makeup Application

Here is your step-by-step guide with our favorite combination skin makeup tips. 

1. Primer

A primer has two main jobs: it helps makeup stay in place, and creates an even canvas for the most seamless makeup application. Typically, a lightweight hydrating primer works beautifully with combo skin. You can apply an even layer all over the face before moving on to the next steps. That said, you can take your beauty routine to the next level by applying two different primers: a mattifying primer on oil-prone areas, and a hydrating primer on dry areas. 

2. Foundation and Concealer

The best foundation for combination skin will be a liquid or cream formula that leaves a dewy finish. This will ensure you get the most natural results, particularly on dry areas of the face. Powder foundations and matte finish formulas can exacerbate rougher texture and flakiness, so it’s best to avoid them. 

If needed, you can apply concealer to cover up blemishes and brighten the under eye area. Choose a cream or liquid formula, as it’ll blend seamlessly into the foundation. Once you’ve applied your foundation and concealer, use a translucent setting powder to control shine in oil-prone areas. 

3. Blush

Diffuse blush onto the cheeks to bring natural color to the complexion. A cream blush works especially well for combination skin, as it will add dewiness to the cheeks (which are typically drier). It will also layer seamlessly on top of a cream or liquid foundation. 

4. Eyebrows, Eyeshadow, and Mascara

Next, move onto the eyes. The exact formulas you use will ultimately come down to your preferences. Both cream and powder eyeshadows work well with combo skin, and you should use whatever eyebrow and mascara products best suit the look you’re going for. 

5. Setting Spray

As the very last step in your makeup routine, lock everything in with a setting spray. A lightweight hydrating spray is combination skin’s best friend. It will add hydration to areas that need a little extra support, but won’t feel too heavy on the rest of your skin. 

Our Product Recommendations

As you build your combination skin-friendly makeup routine, here are some of the products we recommend adding to your beauty arsenal.

Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation

Our new foundation goes beyond your typical liquid foundation with its innovative formula. Enriched with skin-loving ingredients like a triple hyaluronic complex, plant-derived squalane, shea butter, and fermented kombucha, this foundation hydrates, nourishes, and visibly enhances your complexion from the moment it’s applied.

Major Skin Crème Foundation & Finishing Powder Duo

This palette contains the exact complexion products combination skin needs. The buildable, creamy foundation creates a gorgeous dewy finish on the skin that is hydrating enough for dry areas, but still feels light enough for oil-prone spots. The translucent powder creates a soft-focus blur on the skin, and can be used to set makeup and control shine in the T-zone. 

If you want to take your glam to the next level, this palette layers beautifully with other complexion duos in the Patrick Ta line, including the Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo and the Major Glow Crème and Powder Light Reflecting Translucent Highlighter Duo. 

Major Headlines Double-Take Crème and Powder Blush Duo

We love this blush duo for combination skin. The hydrating cream can be used on its own to add a fresh and radiant pop of color to the cheeks. However, for a more luminous look, you can use both products. Diffuse the blendable powder onto the apples of the cheeks, and then layer the cream on top to bring that dewiness back to the complexion. This adds extra dimension and color to the cheeks, and gives you a long-wearing glow. 

Major Glow Dewy Milk Mist

Set your makeup with this lightweight setting spray. It’s made with hydrating and soothing ingredients that comfort the skin and add a natural glow to the complexion. It is the perfect tool for ensuring dry areas stay fresh and dewy. 

Our Tips for All-Day Wear

To maximize your look, we recommend carrying a setting powder with you to touch up oil-prone areas, as needed. If your skin is ever feeling dry, you can also reapply your hydrating setting mist to refresh your complexion. 

A flawless, radiant makeup look is achievable for all skin types – including combination skin. Knowing exactly how to work with your complexion (as well as identifying what will work against your natural features) is the key to getting the best results.