How to achieve glowy, long-lasting base makeup with oily skin

If you’ve got oily skin like me, you’ve probably been told not to opt for glowy base makeup products and instead opt for oil-free and mattifying products. The idea behind this is that matte and oil-free makeup products will help prevent your skin from becoming greasy, while radiant products will quickly break up on oily skin, leaving it looking like a greasy messy.

While matte and oil-controlling base makeup products undeniably help control excess sebum on your skin, oily skin can absolutely wear glowy makeup products. And with a few simple steps, you can get your radiant base makeup to be really long-lasting.

This blog post provides a step-by-step guide on how to achieve glowy, long-lasting base makeup with oily skin. It’s easier than you think!

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How to achieve a long-lasting, dewy makeup base

1. Use a gripping primer

Start off with a gripping primer. These primers are designed to help makeup products stick to your skin, which increases their longevity. They’re a bit sticky, but this feeling disappears once you’ve applied makeup on top.

I used The Beauty Crop Oui Cherie Hydrating Gripping Primer. I also love the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer and Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer.

2. Apply a liquid highlighter to non-oily parts of your skin

Next, take a liquid highlighter or other liquid dewy complexion product and apply this to non-oily areas of your skin. Typically, it’s the t-zone that gets oily, so you can apply the highlighter on your cheeks and near your temples. Blend it out using your fingertips, a beauty sponge, or a brush.

I used the Saie Glowy Super Gel in Starglow. This is very lightweight and has a gel base, which feels very breathable and is great for all skin types. I’m also a big fan of the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and the bPerfect X Ekin Su Radiant Glow Perfector.

3. Put on foundation and concealer

Now, it’s time to apply a foundation and concealer. Opt for a lightweight, buildable foundation that’s not too glowy. As you’ve applied some liquid highlighter, you don’t want to go overboard with the radiance, as this can make oily skin look greasy throughout the day. Matte, natural, or satin finishes work really well here.

Conceal under the eyes and over any spots, unevenness, or blemishes as necessary.

I opted for the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation and Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer.

4. Spritz setting spray

Grab your fave setting spray and spritz it all over the skin before applying any setting powder. This can be in whatever finish you want, as setting sprays don’t typically lead to greasy skin. Using a setting spray before a powder helps lock your base makeup in place.

I opted for The Beauty Crop Glow Milk Mist. The M.A.C FIX+ setting spray and Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray are also firm faves.

5. Apply setting powder to oily areas of the skin

Next, apply a setting powder across the areas where you typically get oily. Again, this is often the t-zone. This also means applying the powder to the areas where you didn’t use the liquid highlighter.

I used the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish powder. I also love the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette.

6. Finish the rest of your makeup as normal

Now that your long-lasting, dewy base makeup has been applied, you can finish the rest of your makeup as usual. Powder makeup products typically last better on oily skin, but any texture can work now that your base makeup has been laid down.

Conclusion

You’ve followed these steps, and now you can go out with dewy makeup without the worry of it becoming really oily and unflattering by the end of the day. This routine works really well for my oily skin!

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.