The Best Makeup For Oily Skin, According To A Makeup Artist

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best makuep for oily skin

Oily skin can be a tricky, slippery little sucker. Those who have it know how incredibly frustrating it is to find makeup for oily skin that won’t slide off, look shiny or cake throughout the day.

And sure, you can perfect your oily skin care routine and reduce your shine with a good setting powder. But when it comes to makeup – and, more importantly, preventing it from sliding off your face (the oily skin gals get it) – every step counts.

So we sought some expert advice from the one and only Rae Morris and trawled the web (and our member reviews, of course), to compile an oily skin makeup bible.

Behold, the best oily skin-approved makeup products in Australia.

Best primer for oily skin

Those with oily skin often assume a matte primer would work best for their skin, but according to Australian makeup artist Rae Morris, “matte textures absorb the oil but not for long, [so] use a water-based moisturiser or primer – but not both.”

Why not both? Well, as Rae explains, “when you are applying makeup, the rule is to only use one product between you and your foundation (sometimes you don’t even need that!). The more cream you put on your face, the harder it is for your makeup to sink in.”

bh recommends:

NYX Shine Killer Primer

Say goodbye to shine for good with the NYX Shine Killer Primer. The formula actively absorbs oil with a translucent finish that will secure your makeup base for hours.

“This primer works so well to control the oil on my face throughout the day! I’ve worn this both under foundation and on it’s own and it’s been great both ways.” – Beccaduncan23

Read more NYX Shine Killer Primer reviews

$24.95 at Priceline

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this gel-based primer delivers a soft-focus finish and grips your makeup like nothing else. One pump will moisturise, prep and smooth your complexion and keep your makeup in place all day (and night) long.

$24 at Kmart

BIODERMA Sébium Pore Refiner Skin-Smoothing Treatment

If a shine-free finish is what you seek, this refining primer is what you need. Formulated for oily and combination skin, it helps to regulate sebum and deliver a smooth, photo-ready complexion.

“The primer is great for those with oily and acne prone skin because it will help to create a smooth and shine free base so your makeup will look better and last longer.” – Miss19

Read more BIODERMA Sébium Pore Refiner Skin-Smoothing Treatment reviews

$36.99 at Adore Beauty

Best foundation for oily skin

When testing out foundation formulas, Rae stresses that it’s important to look for one that “disappears into the skin, not one that sits on top”. Again, she prefers options with water-based formulas “that have a natural or slightly dewy reflection”.

bh recommends:

MCoBeauty Miracle Hydra-Glow Oil-Free Foundation

This water-based foundation contains absolutely no oils for an ultra-hydrating formula that won’t clog your pores. It’s the perfect satin finish (between matte and dewy) that offers buildable light to medium coverage for everyday wear.

$15.60 at Big W

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10

This liquid foundation promises 15-hour staying powder, with a matte finish that won’t cake or crease. It’s a tried and true favourite for a reason and you’re guaranteed to fall in love with it from the first application.

“I have very oily skin. Where [other foundation] would last a few hours and be disappearing, I’ve worn Double Wear for 13 hours and have just blotted and dusted with powder to take off the shine.” – AliceJaneInNewcastle

Read more Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 reviews.

$65 at Myer

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20

We love a good skin care-makeup hybrid, and Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation is the best of the best. It’s formulated with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid to visibly reduce dark spots, even skin tone and keep your skin hydrated without it feeling (or looking) greasy.

“The serum foundation makes my skin look plump, hydrated and dewy. It creates a more even looking complexion. I love the satin finish as it is not too shiny or too matte, it is just the perfect glowy in between.” – Beautybabe140194

Read more Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20 reviews.

Best powder for oily skin

With all the talk about water-based this and that, you’ve probably been thinking, “Okay, so what’s going to mattify my complexion?!” This is where powder comes in.

“If you really want to achieve a velvety or matte [look on the] skin, always blot before you powder, because the more oil on your skin the more powder it will absorb,” says Rae.

bh recommends:

MECCA Max Life Proof Hemp Blotting Papers

These blotting papers are a handbag staple, and will be a life-saver when it comes to reducing that 3pm shine.

$10 at MECCA

essence All About Matt Fixing Compact Powder

“After using this to set my make up I totally understand why this is soo popular. It set my foundation flawlessly. It gave my skin an amazing smooth finish. It wasn’t overly Powderly at all.” – Roxybabe

Read more essence All About Matt Fixing Compact Powder reviews

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores™ Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder

It’s all in the name with this finishing powder. The translucent formula promises a soft-focus, airbrushed finish that won’t dry out your complexion – and it certainly lives up to the hype.

“This powder applies like a dream – less is more – only a small amount and it looks smooth and flawless on the skin. I feel it really hides my pores and softens my blemishes. It’s also extremely great to set undereye concealer and never looks cakey or setting into my lines.” – Ray_jay

Read more IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores™ Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder reviews.

$52 at Adore Beauty

Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting & Blotting Powder

Beloved by beauty queen Rihanna herself, this Fenty Beauty blotting powder is set to be your new holy grail product. It reduces shine and smooths your complexion without sinking into fine lines. The universal shade works on every skin tone, with no white cast or flashback in sight.

$49 at Sephora

Best blush for oily skin

When it comes to deciding between powder and cream blush, this depends on whether the skin is blemished. “If it is, cream blushes will enhance the bumps,” says Rae, who suggests opting for powder blush instead if this is the case. But if oil is the only problem, cream is still a perfect option. It really all comes down to personal preference.

bh recommends:

Clinique Cheek Pop

Is there anything Clinique can’t do? This glowy blush has the most gorgeous silky finish that looks like a natural flush. It’s available in 14 buildable shades, from rosy pink to lilac, so you can create a customised look for every occasion.

“Once applied it doesn’t shift or disappear from my face for a good eight hours! I have combo skin with an oily T-zone, so to have blush last that long is amazing.” – Parisu

Read more Clinique Cheek Pop reviews.

$46 at MECCA

M.A.C Cosmetics Glow Play Blush

With a bouncy, creamy texture, this cream-to-powder blush is perfect for everyday makeup looks. Applied with a sponge, brush or your fingers, it glides on like a dream and stays put rain, humidity or shine.

“This blush is quite sheer but buildable with a cream to powder texture and I find it to be quite long wearing and it doesn’t fade throughout the day/night.” – BiancaDaily

Read more M.A.C Cosmetics Glow Play Blush reviews.

$52 at Adore Beauty

Lancôme Blush Subtil

This oil-free blush will become a fast favourite in your daily makeup routine. A little goes a long way with this buildable formula, which offers the perfect flushed, healthy glow to your complexion with a touch of shimmer.

“The colour payoff is amazing. Light stroke and the colour is visible on the skin. I recommend blend and brushing it out. It holds very well as well. Lasts about 4-6 hours which is great!” – jlsta

Read more Lancôme Blush Subtil reviews.

$65 at Myer

Best eye makeup for oily skin

Even those without oily skin can still experience oily eyelids. According to Rae, “the biggest killer for eye makeup is oil on the skin – it’s impossible to blend eyeshadow on an oily eyelid!”

“Eyelids are actually greasier than your T-zone, so don’t ever moisturise them,” she adds. Always use a primer and powdered base, even if you plan on adding glitter or creams on top – your eye makeup will first need something to hold onto.

bh recommends:

Revlon ColorStay™ Eye Shadow Primer

This budget beauty buy is a must-have for anyone who battles oily eyelids. Revlon’s eye primer will keep your makeup – eyeliner, eyeshadow and all – as fresh as it was in the morning, with no touch-ups needed.

“Let me tell you – Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Primer does this job AMAZINGLY well! It is so creamy and it glides so easily and evenly over my top eye lid. It prevents my eyeshadow from moving around and keep it from creasing throughout the day!” – Bellefleur

Read more Revlon ColorStay™ Eye Shadow Primer reviews.

$12.49 at Chemist Warehouse

Elizabeth Arden Advanced Eye Fix Primer

This splurge-worthy primer acts as an invisible shield between your eyelids and eye makeup. It glides on smoothly and helps prevent creasing, cakiness and fading through every wear. Bonus points for the hydrating formula.

“I haves semi-oily eyelids that just won’t quit! So when I use this my eyeshadow looks absolutely gorgeous and I’m glad I bought this. Whenever I apply any strongly coloured eyeshadow it just look so bold and sticks out so much better.” – BANANAbrain

Read more Elizabeth Arden Advanced Eye Fix Primer reviews.

$40 at MYER

Sephora Collection 12H Colorful Contour Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner

Available in 24 colours, this waterproof eyeliner is a daily makeup staple for oily eyelids. Use it as a liner or blend with a brush to create a gorgeous matte eye colour that will stay in place all day long.

$18 at Sephora

Morphe M2 Ready in 5 Eyeshadow Palette

Morphe is renowned for its high-performing, ultra-pigmented palettes. And we simply cannot fault this everyday eyeshadow palette, from the price point to the colour selection and payoff. Use the matte shades for everyday wear and the shimmers to add a little je ne sais quoi to your evening glam.

$11 at MECCA

Main image credit: @patrickta

Do you have oily skin? What are your go-to makeup products?

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Comments 38

  1. My skin can’t absorb many products, so I get the advice about only applying one product under my makeup; but if I have to choose one, it’s got to be sunscreen.

    I love mineral powder foundation as it seems to absorb oil & looks even better the day. I wear NbN.