Want Matte Skin?

Matte, long lasting make up is a never ending quest for those of us that suffer with oily and often spot prone skin. Often we fail at this due to using the wrong combination of products. If one has oily skin, putting a creamy primer on and oil moisturiser and expecting your foundation to stay put just because you put some powder on it, is probably not the best plan. I believe steps have to be taken leading up to the foundation to ensure longevity and a long lasting matte finish.

STEP 1: Mattifying Cream. In my experience you don't appreciate a mattifying cream till you have stopped using it. My favourite are Good Thing Stay Clear Mattifying Moisturiser and La Roche Posay Effaclar M Moisturiser. Both leave the skin moisturised, but with a comparatively matte finish. The down side is neither of them have SPF.

STEP 2: if you don't want to change your moisturiser consider using a mattifying gel such as Lush's Grease lightning which has antibacterial Tea Tree oil. You can mix it with your face cream or apply it after. Lush gives free samples so be sure to try before you buy. There are a couple of other highly rated ones online like Peter Thomas Roth - Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel and Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying gel.

STEP 2 b:Some make-up artists I've encountered online advocate not using moisturiser at all if you have oily skin. I think it is up to the individual to play around and see what works for them.

STEP 3: Mattifying Primer. In my experience, most people just pick up a primer because it promises long lasting make up and not because it compatible with their skin or the foundation they are using. I have encountered a lot of people online that say the two most popular "primers" and youtube favourites - Monistat chaffing gel and milk of magnesia aren't working for them. That's not becuase these product are "bad" or "not working", it just isn't compatible with their make up/skin care routine. I use Boots No 7 Shine Free Primer which works perfectly for me.  it is a pain in the arse to apply and I will probably change it for something better when I have the time to properly browse Boots. But, for the most part it does the job especially when paired with a Mattifying Cream and my foundation stays put. 

STEP 4: Foundation. This is where I'm not particular about using matte products. I love creams and oil free liquids like Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation or the Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation because there is nothing wrong with moisture, we just need less oil. 

You can choose to set with a powder of your choosing. If I'm going on a night out I set with ELF's HD powder.

You are free to customise these steps as you wish. Something a simple as a change in moisturiser can make the difference for some. I find doing every single thing can be a bit excessive, and your skin ends up producing more oil to contract the dryness. I once did every step, ending with a matte foundation  - Maybeline Dream Matte Mousse and HD powder. I ended up with tight, but oily skin and my foundation cracked whenever I smiled.