How to keep your skin from getting shiny

Published Apr. 5, 2017, 5:00 a.m. ET

But what if you really would rather not be shiny?

If oil is the bane of your makeup existence, you're not alone. As we move into warmer months (hallelujah), we'll all be dealing with extra shine, and not the good kind. Sweaty is never a good look.

Here's how to cut the shine. (For you super-oily people -- you know who you are -- follow all these steps. For combo skin, start with the powder, and go from there.)

1. Use a mattifying primer, like the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer ($37 at Sephora). Bonus: In addition to reducing shine, this will make your makeup last longer.

2. Give your skin a healthy spritz of a spray meant to control oil production. Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray ($31 at Sephora) is great for setting makeup, but it also can be used before foundation to help stop oil from starting. Spray it on, and let it dry a bit before continuing with your makeup application.

3. An oil-controlling foundation will help keep the shine at bay. I'm a big fan of Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless ($5.99 at drugstores), which also helps to smooth skin texture. When applying, concentrate on the areas where you get most shiny, to take full advantage of the product's oil-controlling powers.

4. Powder, powder, powder. Setting your foundation and concealer with powder will help it last, keep it from creasing, and keep it from getting shiny. The secret to using powder and avoiding cakeface? Use a translucent powder, rather than one tinted to match your skin. I love the BareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder, $22 at Ulta; for even more shine control, try the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Powder, $5.39 at drugstores.

On the go, blotting is the best way to keep oil under control. If you notice you're getting a little shiny, a few dabs with a blotting sheet (try the NYX Cosmetics Blotting Paper, $3.99 at Ulta) will absorb the excess oil without disturbing your makeup. Alternatively, you can try a reusable blotting sponge like the Blotterazzi by Beauty Blender ($20 at Sephora), which can be washed and reused. The egglike shape of the sponge can make it easier to blot the angles of the face.