Top Five Tips to Keep Your Makeup Lasting Longer For Oily Skin

1= moisturise

You may think that because your skin is so oily the last thing you want to do is put more moisture on to the face right? 

In fact oily skin or not you should still use a moisturiser, i find if i don't use one my skin tends to get even oilier, as when my skin feel more dry it tends to over compensate for that by producing more oil which you obviously don't want. Oily skin doesn't need a hardcore heavy duty moisturiser like more dry skins may require. I like to use light versions specially targeted for oily/combination skins, my current favorite is the La Roche-Posay Efaclar Duo.

2= Prime the skin

To keep your makeup lasting as long as possible it is essential to use a good primer, after all if you want your makeup to do the distance you need to prep the skin as much as possible. 

There are a lot of different varieties of primer available, for oily skin i would recommend an oil free primer or one designed to be long wearing. Primers will give skin that extra barrier between your skin and foundation, also oily skin is commonly associated with having more open large pores which a lot of primers aimed at oily skin will be designed to eliminate. I am currently testing out the Hourglass Mineral Veil primer a previous favorite of mine is the Estee Lauder Matte Perfecting primer. 

3= Use a targeted foundation

If you have oily skin its best to use a foundation specially created for oily skin types, as with the primers these will be oil free or formulas that claim to be long lasting/wearing. Im not saying if you have oily skin you have to go for this type of foundation i've just found in my experience theses formulas are you best bet when you want your foundation to last as long as possible. The majority of more long wearing foundations tend to be slightly thicker heavier formulas for example Estee Lauder Double Wear is probably one of the best foundations i have tried at keeping shine at bay however i find it feels slightly mask like and due to that i just don't use it anymore. Mac's Studio Fix is one of my most recent foundation purchases (full review) it has a great long lasting formula and although quite thick it doesn't feel mask like or make the skin look flat like Double Wear. For a much lighter long lasting formula my everyday favorite is the Nars All Day Luminous Weightless foundation which is a lot lighter than most. Application wise i really like to us the Real Techniques Stippling Brush, i find that really working the foundation into my skin works a lot better at making it last longer. 

4= Set your foundation

Probably the most important advice i could give for keeping your make up on for longer is to set your foundation. I know if i don't set my foundation with powder i will be facing an oil slick situation within the hour. To set my foundation i have been using the Vichy Dermablend Setting powder, its a translucent powder so it wont add any extra colour to the skin, its very light and just helps to set the foundation and give the skin a matte finish. A little tip that i have been doing to really set the makeup underneath is to wet a beauty blender or makeup sponge, i've been using the Real Techniques one and to then dip it into the loose powder quite heavily and apply it to the areas you want to set, it looks a little crazy but it will blend in i promise, i leave it to set for a few minutes while i do for example my eye makeup and then work it into the skin with a Kabuki Brush. I think the technique is called baking, i've seen You Tuber's use it for contouring but i find it works well at setting my makeup. 

5= Setting Spray

Setting sprays are designed as a finishing touch to your makeup, to keep all your hard work looking good for as long as possible. There are various formulas available, for oily skin types again its best to go for ones that claim to be long wearing and oil controlling. 

I really find i don't feel my makeup routine is complete without using one, once i've set my foundation in place with powder applied my bronzer blusher etc i just want to finally set all of that in place. Also if your somebody that perhaps prefers a more fresh dewy finish to the skin that sometimes products aimed towards oily skin do not provide a setting spray can really help to give that fresh look back to the skin. Right now i've been loving Makeup Revolutions Oil Control Fixing Spray, there is also various versions available from Mac and Urban Decay. 

I hope there tips have been helpful, do you have oily skin what are your top tips?

Zoe 

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Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray

If like me you have an oily skin type you will fully understand the daily struggle it entails to simply  keep your makeup intact for the duration of the day. I find myself constantly on the lookout for new makeup products and skin care that claim to help solve this, oil control moisturisers, primers, foundation and powders anything that will keep my makeup looking good for longer, and so when the opportunity arose to test out a new Oil Control Setting spray i jumped at the chance.
The Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray* is the latest makeup fixing spray Makeup Revolution has brought to the table this time aimed at oilier skins and keeping the makeup intact for up to 12-hours, preventing fading and smudging and leaving the skin with a matte finish, sounds good right?
I was incredibly excited to start testing it out, i've previously tried the De-Slick setting spray from Urban Decay but i don't feel it was anything to write home about, i was left feeling it was a bit pointless and its not something i would re-purchase so i was hoping for better things from Revolution.
The Oil Control Fixing Spray comes in a small bottle containing 100-ml of product a fair amount i feel for the £5 price tag and also a great size to fit in your makeup bag or handbag. After applying my makeup i simply hold the bottle about 10-inches away from my face and spray in an x shape onto my skin. The spray delivers a very fine mist which is just the right amount to not leave your face too wet, it dries really quickly and feels light and not at all sticky.
The thing i love the most about it is the finish it leaves on the skin, having oily skin can mean having to wear more layers of products to make your makeup last, i wear primer, foundation, concealer and various powders which could leave the skin looking slightly too makeup and powdery. I find the spray helps give back that fresh real skin look taking away the powdery finish whilst locking all the makeup in. Im not sure i would describe it as a matte finish though i think it gives life back to the skin making it look more natural.
In regards to keeping my makeup on for longer i've been testing it out mainly with the Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation which i usually have to touch up after about 3/4 hours and starts to come away on my nose after about 8-hours. I would say it prolongs me having to touch my makeup up for about an extra hour or so which i have been impressed with, it also seems to keep the makeup on better around my nose.
The Pro Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray has quickly become the finishing touch to my makeup routine, i've become addicted to the fresh skin finish and the extra lasting power it gives my foundation.

Have you trued the Makeup Revolution Oil Control Fixing Spray? What did you think?

Zoe

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Nars Sheer Glow Foundation For Oily Skin?

As i told you last week, i recently decided to treat myself to some Nars goodies,

along with Laguna (review here) the other product i had been dying to try was Nars Sheer Glow foundation. Sheer Glow is another cult product that everybody raves about, but i'll admit although i had wanted to try it for some time i did have some reservations. Having oily skin i was concerned about how a product entitled 'Sheer Glow" would last on me and wether or not i would end up looking less glow and more oil slick..

Colour-
Due to the fact that i don't have a Nars counter anywhere near me, this meant doing a fair bit of research beforehand to try and work out what shade i would be as there would be nothing worse than picking the wrong colour and wasting my money.
I looked for blog reviews where the blogger had similar colorings to me or wore some of the same shades as me in other foundations, i also took into account that i have a warm skintone and suit more yellow toned foundations. I decided to go for the shade Fuji which is the Light 5 (1 is the lightest and 6 is the darkest of the Light shades) Fuji is described as being light with yellow undertones which sounded exactly what i was looking for.
I definitely made the right choice, Fuji is my perfect match, i would even go as far as to say its the best colour match i've ever found in a foundation!

Coverage/Finish-
The first time i tried Sheer Glow i was really surprised at how thick it was, being called Sheer i was expecting a really thin runny foundation, however when i went to tip a bit out onto my hand i was surprised when nothing came out, in-fact i actually just dip my foundation brush into the bottle as its easier. Even though its thicker than i expected in consistency, the Sheer in the name clearly came about by the beautiful light finish it gives to the skin. I would say coverage wise its medium but can be built up if desired, i was really impressed with the coverage as i was hoping it wasn't too light but it defiantly covers the skin nicely masking minor skin imperfections without being heavy or cakey.
Another thing i love about this foundation is how a little bit goes a long way i really don't use a lot but it blends like a dream and covers the skin well. The finish is just so nice, it leaves your skin glowy and healthy looking.

Longevity-
On to the thing i was most worried about how long will it last on my oily skin? For me i no that i can never just slap some foundation on and expect it to be firmly in place 8 hours later, my skin is very oily and finding a foundation that will last has always been a struggle for me, the best i've ever found for its lasting power is Estee Luders Double wear foundation which will last all day (with touch ups) the worst can slide of my face in a few hours. So how does Sheer Glow fare? It doesn't last as long as Double Wear but to be honest i didn't expect it to being a Sheer Glowy finish, however i was pleasantly surprised with how long it does last, i would say it looks fine on my skin for about four hours before i will definitely need to blot and apply some powder and thats pretty good for my skin, in fact i think it pretty much in even pegging with Vichy Dermablend foundation (another one of my favorites) for longevity and that has is a much heavier coverage foundation.

My Thoughts-
Well i am happy to say that Nars Sheer Glow gets a Glowing report from me (see what i did there)...
It has exceeded all my expectations, i am so happy that although i was worried about how it would work for oily skin that i decide to try it, it really is an amazing foundation it makes your skin healthy looking and flawless and there is an amazing range of shades to suit all skin-tones. I now have a new favorite foundation!

Has anyone else tried Sheer Glow? Do you love it as much as I do?

Michael Todd Skincare, follow up review!

Hello :)  I no i haven't kept up with blog posts lately, but i have had a busy time revising and sitting exams but anyway here is my promised skin care review.....

I did a post on my first impressions of the Michael Todd discovery skin care kit for acne/oily skin about a month back, this is just a quick follow up review with my thoughts on the products.

Charcoal Detox Cleanser

Jojoba Charcoal Scrub

Organic Lemon Toner

Moisture Lite

Kaolin Clay Mask

So i have been using the full skin care kit for a month now, i am glad i decided to go for a discovery kit as its been nice to try a completely new skin care regime using all new products.

I have been using the cleanser morning and night followed by the toner and moisturizer, and have used the face scrub about twice a week and the face mask once a week.

The main thing i have noticed since using the products is just a general improvement in the overall look of my skin, my skin looks a lot clearer and brighter! As for spots i have still had breakouts around my chin area mainly, but i have been left with a lot less discoloration and marking and i have noticed a lot less redness. The main thing that has impressed me, is since using the products i have definitely noticed a decrease in my skins oil production which is amazing as its one of my biggest skin problems and something i am always looking for in products for my face. 

My favorite products from the kit and the products i would repurchase has got to be the Moisture Lite Hydrating Lotion and the Jojoba Charcoal Facial scrub, the moisture lite really is just a lovely moisturizer, it smells amazing and its hydrating enough for my oily skin without leaving it greasy. The Charcoal scrub is really gentle and feels good on the skin leaving my skin well exfoliated without feeling like its damaging or drying out my skin by being too rough. 

Although i think i would only repurchase two products from the kit, i have enjoyed using the all the products, and it feels good knowing your using organic products on your skin. 

I have heard good things about the Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner and fancy trying that out as its meant to be good for blemishes.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my views on the Michael Todd products.

Has anyone else tried this Discovery kit? What did you think? Id love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for reading,

Zoe 

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Michael Todd Skincare, My first thoughts!

My skins been a bit dull and congested lately, i have oily skin and suffer from spots around my chin area particularly around that time of the month like a lot of women. 

I felt like it was time for a change up in my skin care regime as i have been using the same products for a while now and there pretty much used up anyway. I looked into a few different skin care brands, i had heard people raving about the Michael Todd products and i liked the sound of them, especially as there 96% organic!!

 I had a look on the website and was originally going to just buy a cleanser and a moisturizer, however i spotted the acne/oily skin discovery kit which consists of five travel sized (30ml) products from the oily skin care range, here is the website description-

Our Skincare Discovery Kit for oily to blemish-prone skin controls shine and promotes clear skin.

Complete 5pc regimen to cleanse, tone, scrub, hydrate and treat. Just the ingredients you need to unclog pores, kill bacteria associated with acne, calm inflammation and keep the skin hydrated without being oily. The perfect solution to clearer skin in five simple steps without harsh chemicals like benzoyl peroxide that can dry and irritate. NO added water, parabens, sulfates, or artificial dyes or fragrance.

I thought i would go for that as i could try out the full range of products and buying travel sized products to test first saves buying full sized products and then being disappointed. The set contain the Charcoal Detox deep pore gel cleanser, Organic Lemon aha+dmae toner, Jojoba Charcoal facial scrub, Moisture Lite non oily hydrating lotion and the Kaolin Clay detoxifying facial mask. I thought i would start off by using the whole range and give my skin a good pamper so i could give my first impressions off the products. Im interested to see if they live up to the hype and help improve my skin at all.

Charcoal Cleanser

Activated Charcoal penetrates deeply to unblock clogged pores and strip away excess oil.  Completely removes dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities leaving skin clean, soft, smooth and refreshed.

The charcoal cleanser is a thin grey gel which has a very strong fragrance that i personally find quiet unpleasant and reminds me of nasty medicine for some reason... i believe what im actually finding unpleasant is the smell of aloe and lavender which some people may like but its just not for me. Anyway i had already removed my makeup, i wet my face as instructed and applied the cleanser to my face, it felt light and fresh on my skin and lathers up slightly. Some cleansers are too harsh for my skin and after washing off leave it feeling horrible, tight and over cleansed which then makes my skin oilier, but i didn't get that at all with this cleanser, my skin felt well cleansed and not at all irritated. 

Charcoal face scrub

Jojoba Wax Beads and Activated Charcoal effectively remove dead skin cells, impurities and toxins without  microlacerations to delicate skin. Leaves skin smooth and refreshed.

The scrub is thick and smooth and a dark grey colour, after cleansing i applied it to my face and massaged gently in circular motions. It felt smooth and soft on my skin, probably the most gentle facial exfoliator ive used. The exfoliating beads are very small and fine. Although gentle afterwards my skin felt smooth, soft and well exfoliated.

Kaolin clay mask

Clay masks are great for oily skin by helping to unblock and tighten pores. 

The mask surprised me by being what i thought was quiet runny for a clay mask, and because of that i wasn't sure how much to apply, it doesn't give that full face covered mask look you get with a lot of masks if you no what i mean.... It starts to harden when it dries, tho not uncomfortable like some masks that make you feel unable to show expression on your face. It felt tingly and cool for a few minutes after application, i washed it off after 15 minutes and as with the cleanser my skin felt clean refreshed but not at all tight. 

Organic lemon toner

A refreshing toner with the refreshing scent of lemons. Blended with DMAE to firm and lift the skin and Alpha Hydroxy Acid to ease away the appearance of fine lines, blotches and discoloration for more vibrant, even-toned radiant looking skin. Cleans and maintains the skin’s proper pH without the drying effects of alcohol. Prepares skin for serums and moisturizers.

The toner is a clear liquid, it has a strong citrus lemon scent which smells amazing. I put a small amount on a cotton pad and wiped it all over my face avoiding the eye area. The toner although mad e from lemon did not feel at all harsh or drying on the skin and made my skin feel tingly clean and refreshed. 

Moisture lite lotion

Even individuals with oily skin need moisturizer. A light hydrating lotion that moisturizes without being too emollient for oily areas.

The lotion is exactly what you would expect from the name, a thin white lotion, the smell is even more amazing that the toner, it reminds me of sherbet lemons and lemon meringue pie, yum yum! It feels light on the skin and absorbed well and didn't leave my skin looking greasy like some moisturizers do.

So that was my first impressions of the Michael Todd true organics kit for acne or oily prone skin, overall a very good first impression. I will do follow up post after ive used the products for a week or two, to note any effects or change in my skin and my final thought on the products. 

If your interested in trying some Michael Todd products out for yourselves i will put the link  to the website here

Has anyone tried any Michael Todd products? What did you think of them? I would love to hear your views. 

Product descriptions from the Michael Todd website. 

Zoe

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