Problem Solvers

Just ’cause the sun’s shining doesn’t mean you need to

The oily-skinned have a lot to be thankful for (fewer fine lines being top of the list) however, when the weather warms up and the morning commute gets, er… greasy, these everyday essentials will ensure that the sun is the only thing shining (#smug). Equipped with our pick of the perfect powders and primers, we’ll help you keep your cool in the heat…

It seems counter-intuitive, but oils can really help to restore harmony – often skin makes oil because it’s feeling over-exposed, so ‘tricking’ it into believing the opposite can gradually combat the problem. Uma’s {Deeply Clarifying Face Oil} stars a cocktail of essential oils to wage war on blemish-causing bacteria, while pausing the oil-production process. Similarly, Sunday Riley’s {Juno} works to normalise skin that’s bewildered – toning, purifying and radiance-boosting to recover a luminous (non-greasy) glow (just apply overnight to help ‘re-train’ your cells as you slumber).

Make up-wise, a mattifying primer applied sparingly will have a massive impact on the longevity of your base. Blend BECCA’s {Velvet Blurring Primer Perfecting Base} on any areas you’d naturally see a sheen – forehead, nose and chin – to absorb excess sebum and enhance make up wear. Alternatively, those with enough wisdom to have graduated to the 35+ category should try Zelens’ {Velvet Primer} – an ultra-fine formula brimming with youth-boosting actives to soften fine lines and help visibly ‘minimise’ pores for a glorious ‘soft focus’ finish.

Hourglass’ {Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation} has a featherweight texture that grants medium-full coverage without suffocating congested or blemish-prone skin. Oil-free with an impressive, 22-shade range, this breathable base won’t clog pores and it blends imperceptibly for a believable ‘your skin, but better’ effect. Or modify your favourite foundation with Cover FX {Custom Blot Drops} – an anti-shine blend that ‘mops up’ excess oils to stop you looking, er… reflective? Perfect for use on their own as a primer, these also work over your make up or mixed with your base to transform it from dewy to suedette.

Fix everything in place with a quick spritz of NYX Professional Makeup’s {Make Up Setting Spray – Matte Finish} – a skin-freshening formula which prevents make up migration – then mattify on the move with NudeStix {Skin Pencil – Matte + Blemish}; a handbag must-have, this oil-absorbing crayon contains salicylic acid to stop spots in their tracks, while Amazonian clay ‘soaks up’ sebum.

We’re also devoted to {Dr. Feelgood’s} stunning, velvety balm that applies with a sponge to keep your t-zone under control, while a light dusting of Kevyn Aucoin’s stunning {The Neo-Setting Powder} – a blend of both matte and glow-giving pressed powders which lend a light-scattering whisper of ‘glow’ while cutting through oil for a ‘dewy’ (not ‘sweaty) effect. Just use a fluffy powder brush to sweep all over skin for a ‘diffused’ finish that’s fresh.

And always, always, ALWAYS keeps some {Blotting Papers} in your pocket. Oldies (but goodies), there’s a reason this trick has withstood innovation… sometimes your Nana knew best!

SHOP SHINE CONTROL >>



Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...