Foundation sliding off your face by 11am? If you have oily skin then you will be used to the seemingly endless cycle of touch-ups, repair and re-application. It’s a pain. What you need is a foundation tool kit with all the products working in harmony to delay the appearance of the dreaded shiny face. Get your base right, team it with complementary products and your foundation will last a lot longer.
A belt-and-braces approach works best and using a good anti-shine moisturiser together with a dependable primer and a translucent powder to weld the whole shebang in place will keep your base on your face for as long as possible. Powder foundations like Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation ( €31.50) can work well for the super oily – but beware, if you've got any dry patches powder foundation can look flaky and is not a good choice for combination skin.
The humble blotting paper is underappreciated and it's time to give it some love – pick up blotting papers in any chemist and pat them over your face to keep shine down. Dedicated anti-shiners might also like to try Urban Decay All Nighter (€29) – it doesn't matter how hot it gets or how sweaty the conditions, this spray will not let you down.
Est ée Lauder Doublewear (€36.50) , or Doublewear Light, is the foundation of choice for many an oily skinned lady and its staying power is legendary. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H (€35) , Clarins Ever Matte (€32.53) and Armani Maestro (€45) are also great premium picks for shiny skin.
But you don't necessarily have to spend big bucks to get a really good matte base. The budget brands know many of their target market are in possession of young, hormonally ravaged and often oily skin and as such they're often a brilliant choice for well-priced mattifying foundation. Rimmel Stay Matte (€7.95) and No7 Beautifully Matte (€17.50) are well worth checking out: they'll refine the look of pores and dampen down shine.
TOP PICKS
Est
ée Lauder Doublewear All-Day Glow BB Moisture Make-Up (
€
38)
With a much heavier consistency than any other BB cream this is nonetheless a light weight in the doublewear stakes. more reflective but still with great staying power
Bare Minerals Prime Time BB Primer Cream (
€
27
) Much-loved powder merchants Bare Minerals break tradition with this SPF30 tinted primer cream product. Wear alone or under foundation to absorb excess oil and keep make-up in place for longer.
Make-up Forever HD foundation (
€
39.50)
A flawless finish and 26 shades means you'll achieve a perfect base. Use a brush to apply and set with powder and you'll understand why this foundation gets such rave reviews.
Maybelline FIT me Ant-Shine stick (
€
13.79)
Be not afriad of the boob-like appearance of this foundation stick for in the nipple lives a secret oil-dissolving powder. Great coverage and stay-all-day power.
AISLING LOVES . . .
Giorgio Armani Sun Fabric Sheer Bronzer
Knock-your-socks-off fabulous. Armani have knocked it out of the bronzing park with this beautifully textured bronzer. Looks almost good enough to eat.
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