Wearing makeup in the summer can be a nightmare for people who have oily skin. Between sweating and the natural oil your face produces, your matte look quickly becomes a thing of the past after just a few minutes outside. Luckily, there's a secret weapon that can help with that: blotting paper and powder.
What are blotting papers and powders used for?Celebrity makeup artist Jeannia Robinette mentioned that oil blotting products are designed to simply take away shine and mattify your complexion. When Robinette can't physically be with her clients on the red carpet, she'll often send them off with blotting papers in their bags so they can keep their looks fresh long after they've left her chair.
"It's a great thing to have that you can just press into your face [to] take off the excess oil... to give you a really nice clean, fresh look," she said.
What is the difference between blotting paper and blotting powder?Both of these products are extremely efficient at soaking up excess oil on your skin. Blotting papers are small, thin and compact enough to take wherever you go; while blotting powders are typically translucent, lightweight and can be applied with a makeup brush.
The main difference between the two? "Papers absorb oil and get thrown away so you’re actually removing it, [while] blotting powder covers up excess sebum but leaves it on the skin," celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor told Shop TODAY in an email.
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According to Sotomayor, blotting products aren't just for people with oily skin.
"Blotting papers are good for anyone because they absorb excess oil on the surface without affecting the water levels in your skin or adding harsh ingredients that can be found in some oil control cleansers or toners," he said.
Best blotting papers, according to experts and shoppersPleasingCare Natural Premium Oil Blotting Tissues
A no. 1 bestseller, these blotting papers come with 100 sheets in a pack and are offered with three different options for key ingredients: bamboo and charcoal, rose or green tea. It has almost 10,500 verified five-star ratings and one shopper even called it "impressively effective."
Chanel Paper Matifiant de Chanel
Sotomayor is a self-proclaimed "huge fan" of these blotting papers from Chanel.
"[They] have a special coating on one side, so that the oil is absorbed by the paper but doesn't get on your fingers," he said.
The compact contains 150 sheets and even has a mirror so you can see exactly what you're doing.
NYX Matte Blotting Paper
This option from NYX is a great budget-friendly choice. For just $4, you'll get 50 sheets to take with you anywhere and everywhere. Plus, it has over 1,300 verified five-star ratings on Amazon.
Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers
These Tatcha blotting papers are made with 100 percent natural abaca leaf and gold flakes to absorb excess oil without messing up your makeup. One pack comes with 40 sheets but if you're looking to stock up, you can also get a pack of 4 for $40.
"This one doesn't have a residue powder that's going to leave on your face," Robinette said.
Boscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens
These clear complexion blotting linens are just one type of several from Boscia. They also come in black charcoal and green tea options. Robinette describes them as "super absorbent" that'll "give you a matte look quickly."
Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets
"These are tried-and-true!" Robinette said.
She recommends these Clean & Clear sheets as an easy, cheap drugstore option for anyone in a pinch. She also loves them because they soak up oil without leaving a residue behind.
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NYX Professional Makeup HD Finishing Pressed Powder
According to the brand, this powder can be used to color correct, prime, set foundation and blot away excess oiliness. For $11, this all-in-one product is a must-have. Plus, it comes in three different colors so you can choose the option that works best for your main needs.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
This setting powder comes in three different tones and boasts the ability to set makeup for up to 16 hours of wear. It even has over 6,000 five-star ratings on Sephora.
"It’s almost impossible to apply too much and it never gets cakey," Sotomayor added.
Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder
Stay photo-ready with this translucent blotting powder from Fenty Beauty. It's designed to so that it won't clog your pores or disturb your makeup. Sephora reviewers love it for how well it blurs pores, keeps your makeup in place and how much product comes in one compact.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Translucent Pressed Setting Powder
This talc-free powder is infused with silk, collagen, peptides and antioxidants to keep it from settling into wrinkles, according to Sephora.
"It's a no-shine powder and so thin, it's not [like] makeup," Robinette said about this powder from IT Cosmetics. She also loves the lightweight feel of it.
Clinique Stay-Matte Universal Blotting Powder
This Clinique blotting powder is designed with a universal formula that is supposed to keep your complexion matte and fresh without leaving any residue behind. It is also both fragrance- and paraben-free. "It takes away all the shine, so my skin stays matte and looks fresh all day," raved one Ulta reviewer.
For more stories like this, check out:
- Your dermatologist-approved guide to summer skin care
- 26 summer beauty must-haves to add to your routine, according to experts
- This long-lasting mascara won't budge — even in Florida's sweltering summer heat
- Glow like a pro with these 8 makeup artist-approved drugstore highlighters
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Kamari Stewart
Kamari Stewart is an Associate Editor for Shop TODAY.
