One of the many banes of my life is going for my lunchtime toilet break only to find that my powdered face has turned into what can only be described as an oil slick.
I'm pretty sure all my combo/oily skinned mates can relate to the struggle. So when I got the chance to interview Kim Kardashian's makeup artist, Mario Dedivanoic at the launch of Nip + Fab's new makeup line there was one thing I wanted to know.
How the hell do we control the dreaded shine?
I mean, when do you ever see Kim K looking like a shiny, oily mess? Never. So what the hell are we doing wrong?
1. Using a powder brush
I don't know about you, but I always apply my powder with a powder brush, tbh I wasn't even aware there was another way, but watching Mario work his magic I noticed he was using a powder puff.
Yep it turns out powder puffs aren't just for grannies.
Mario uses them to apply powder rather than a brush because they help to mattify the skin for longer by really pressing the powder in, as opposed to a brush which Mario advises gives a "softer look" but does mean your skin will get oilier quicker.
You can always use the puff your powder comes with, or Laura Mercier sell their Velour Puffs for £13.50.
2. Reapplying powder throughout the day
The second tip we learnt from the King of Contour, was that you shouldn't keep reapplying powder throughout the day.
Yes, my friends if you are getting oily and keep reapplying powder that's just going to make your face cakey and start creasing in all the wrong places.
Instead of reapplying powder, Mario's tip is to blot away the excess oil with a napkin or some trusty blotting powders...you know the things you had in school before you were really allowed to have makeup.
By using a blotting paper you will remove the excess shine, without adding more product...genius. You can buy NYX's Professional Matte Blotting Paper for £4.
Where would we be without you Mario?
Nip + Fab's makeup range is available online now and exclusively in Superdrug from 6th April.
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Laura is a former writer for Cosmopolitan UK, covering everything beauty and fashion related and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube. Her favourite pastime is reminding everyone of that one time she met Charlie Hunnam and Jason Momoa. Please don't ask to see the pictures...
