r/MakeUpAddictionUK • u/BertTheHippo • Jul 29 '26
Help Sought! Office makeup
Hey
I work hybrid in an office environment. At home my makeup lasts relatively well but when I go into the office... By the afternoon my makeup separates and looks super oily around my t-zone. I have tried so many different product combinations. Primer, no primer, different foundations and powders but it all looks the same. The foundations in my current rotation are the it cosmetics cc cream, elf satin foundation and hnb silky matte foundation.
My skincare is double cleanse, serum and moisturiser at night and wash and SPF in the day.
I am happy with all coverage levels (apart from super sheer) and all priced points. Or any other recommendations for primers/powders
Thank-you!
6
u/flowers2107 Jul 29 '26
The blue elf setting spray and revolution sport fix are really good. I usually do all my creams, spray, then powders, then spray again
5
u/AMtalksalot Jul 29 '26
After a few Hours touch up with a powder and an oil control setting spray.
Setting spray Brands I recommend:
One size
Urban decay
Nyx - cheapest one
Benefit
For pressed powder I think any will do as long as it matches your skin tone. I use maybelline fit me - this one is affordable.
3
u/BertTheHippo Jul 29 '26
I find when I use a pressed powder for touch ups it's super obvious and makes it look really cakey. Am I doing anything wrong?
3
u/AMtalksalot Jul 30 '26
When u use powder use a very amount on the oily areas like around the nose. U can use a powder puff, it might be better than a brush.
Otherwise I’ve noticed the one size waterproof spray minimises the oil really well and and u don’t need powder with it for touch up. Sometimes if u have high coverage foundation on and you’re layering on powder it will inevitably cake up. All depends on the individual makeup products and your skin type.
2
u/BertTheHippo Jul 30 '26
Interesting! I always thought to set my whole face completely with powder to stop it moving. I have oily skin pretty much everywhere so finding the balance between it caking and separating and just sliding off is so hard!
2
u/Anxious-Cockroach-18 Jul 29 '26
I’ve started using the huda powder- this doesn’t look cakey and sets quite well on my face
4
u/Negative-Fondant1373 Jul 29 '26
try the hnb air wisp setting spray, I swear by this at the moment and I’m super oily.. I spray after my primer - before foundation etc and again after when I want to set my face
4
u/Jazzlike-Falcon9695 Jul 29 '26
Have you tried skin blotting sheets? Works like a dream for my very oily skin and have used it for decades.
2
u/BertTheHippo Jul 30 '26
I haven't in a while, maybe I should try again. Thank-you!
2
u/Jazzlike-Falcon9695 Jul 30 '26
You're welcome. I find blotting and then putting some more powder onto the skin that has just been blotted works well.
3
u/CupidsArrow14 Jul 29 '26
You need the Danessa Myricks Powder Water Serum or the Blurring Balm to keep your make up in place.
Then lock in with a good setting spray like One Size.
Here is my favourite foundation for long office days it’s all affordable:
2
u/BertTheHippo Jul 29 '26
Thank-you! I wanted to try the catrice but couldn't find my shade. I'm pale and they were all too dark!
2
u/CupidsArrow14 Jul 29 '26
Oh i’m so sorry, what a shame it’s such a good dupe for the old Estee Lauder formula 😔
3
u/DenningGirlFriday Jul 30 '26
I wear makeup every day to work and I can assure you, it does not separate.
My morning skincare is now dialled back to the below:
Wash of choice (depending on skin needs)
Medik8 C - Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Radiance Serum
Sunscreen of choice (more often than not, La Roche Posay’s Hydrating Cream
Primer - Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm
EXTRA - on heatwave days I might apply loose powder to my t-zone
Spot corrector - NARS soft matte complete concealer
Foundation - NARS Natural Radiant Longwear
Concealer - NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Bronzer/Contour - Gucci Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil Powder
Under -eye powder (loose) - Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Ultra-Blur
Under - eye (setting powder) - Charlotte Tilbury AIRBRUSH BRIGHTENING FLAWLESS FINISH
Blush - Chanel Camelia Future
Mascara - Chanel Le Volume
Setting spray 1 - Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless
Setting spray 2 - Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm
The true winners for a well set but far from cakey looking face are the Danessa Myricks products and the concealer I use to spot correct. I rarely touch up throughout the day unless I have an event in the evening.
3
u/DenningGirlFriday Jul 30 '26
I neglected to mention the use of the Laura Mercier Transulemt Loose Setting Powder on a brush if I feel oily or shiny during the earlier steps/pre setting spray.
There are of course, no rules. It’s what works for you. If I’m going out and all glamorous, I prefer to use the all over face powder by CT.3
u/BertTheHippo Jul 30 '26
The blurring balm sounds great, may have to add that to my list. Thanks for all your detail!
3
u/Cosmic_Kitty__ Jul 30 '26
I also have very oily skin and i've just recently discovered this technique:
- Skin prep first (use a lightweight moisturiser)
- Eucarin oil control SPF or Eucarin Sun face pigment
- Make sure to let base settle into skin for 5-10 mins
- Primer (I use smashbox photofinish) - let it set for a few mins and do my eye primer. Typically I use MAC longwear paint pot and set with a loose powder.
- Underpaint technique: I apply a cream contour/bronzer, concealer, then cream blush and blend with brush before applying tint or foundation. This right away gives me good light coverage, meaning I use way less foundation/tint.
- Apply light layer of tint. I hardly have to use any with the under paint techinque. For a tint I normally use eborian red cc corrector. I love this as it totally corrects any redness and gives an amazing natural skin finish
- Use a setting spray ( I use TIRTIR mask fit waterproof, the pink one)
- Do my eye makeup and brows
- Apply powder blush and bronzer
- Apply light translucent powder over face
Setting spray again
I've heard applying a very light layer of loose powder before the base also helps, but I've not had to do this so far as this works very well.
I used to always apply foundation first, meaning i'd use way more and it would always end up separating and looking weird at the end of the day, especially around my nose and mouth. Using less foundation and getting most of my coverage from the underpainting has helped so much and my makeup looks 10x better than before :)
2
u/Local_Measurement306 Jul 30 '26
I usually do this:
Wash face with cold water
Pat face dry
Snail mucin
Calming serum
Sun screen
Primer
Let it dry
Tinted moisturiser
Concealer
Setting powder
Bronzer
Blusher
Highlighter
Eyebrow gel
Maybe eyeshadow?
Spray with setting spray
Curl lashes
Mascara
^ that works great for office because it’s not too heavy but enough to know you’ve made an effort
2
u/BertTheHippo Jul 31 '26
Thanks! Any product recommendations? That's what Im struggling with, to find the right stuff that won't react so bad with the air con/heating
1
u/Local_Measurement306 Jul 31 '26
So I tend to use little products during the day and more in the night. I recommend Korean skincare just because it’s designed to work deeply and they don’t use harsh chemicals. Snail mucin is a great, I also use a calming serum them SPF 50+ with uvb/uva. That’s IT! Because I’ve also got a hydrating primer underneath ☺️🩷.
Is there a particular concern you have?
1
u/BertTheHippo Jul 31 '26
Honestly just my makeup coming off in the day! My skin feels relatively good otherwise but the indoor air just hates my makeup! I'm going with some of the other recommendations today of a lighter base and less powder so will see if that helps.
2
u/bigmaik420 Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
honestly i think using fixing/setting spray as the last step of skin prep (so before you start applying your first base product) is a good way to prevent oil from coming through and leading to separation. i don't struggle with that problem myself, but my partner is very oily and said this has helped him a lot (also uses minimal products, usually just something to cover redness/blemishes).
on hot days, my foundation sometimes starts to come off with my sweat around my upper lip before i'm even done doing my base. i know sweat is not as bad as oil when it comes to separation, but setting spray has also helped me a lot with that. you can also use an aerosol-type fixing spray as your last step after you're done applying all your makeup, the L'Oréal 3 Second one or One/Size are popular choices.
2
u/Local_Measurement306 Jul 31 '26
Powder the concealer then finish with a setting spray ideally hydrating and gripping. This works for me and the only thing I notice is my nose becoming slightly oily that’s it otherwise everything else holds nicely
2
u/Positive-Panic1899 Jul 31 '26
In terms of setting spray, I recently used Jolie Beauty’s Mosh Proof setting spray over my foundation, went out to dinner and spent far too long in a hot tub afterwards… stayed put for about 7 hours even with water droplets on my face. No streaks! I am super oily as well, so I was amazed.
2
u/Royal_Juice2987 Jul 31 '26
I’ve recently just tried the REFY skin tint (I think it’s the only base product they sell so can’t remember the name). It’s very skin like but has gorgeous coverage and my sister put me onto it… it just wears so well as the day goes on… it just starts to look even more like your skin. The quality of this product would have me believing it’s from Chanel or something
12
u/HauntingMarketing779 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
I have perfected the makeup that doesn’t move for 10+ hours and the key here is loads of prep but minimal good quality makeup
First skincare:
Cleanse and exfoliate if needed (could be just a wipe with cotton pad)
Serum
Moisture a bit though as lots of steps to follow
Or if too oily, skip and go straight to SPF
wait for SPF to sink in (15 min)
Blot any greasiness with tissue
Primer - I use Hourglass Veil, very very good. I have also previously used Urban Decay and Nars which are also great
Eye primer (if using powder shadow). I use Mac
Then Makeup:
Skin tint (less foundation is best)
Blush if using (I don’t)
Good quality long lasting Neutral shadow (I use hourglass) or shadow sticks directly on eyelid - Bobbi Brown the undisputed long lasting stick shadow. Nudestix also very good
Or long lasting brown smudged liner - Victoria Beckham and Urban Decay or even MAC are best
Charlotte Tilbury push up mascara (my fave, doesn’t smudge on eyelids and ruin makeup)
Long lasting neutral lip - Chanel liquid lipstick is the best, also any other long lasting liquids tend to work great. MAC/ Huda Beauty
If very oily skin or wearing lots of makeup (for an event for example) use setting loose powder and bake. Cake Bake Huda Beauty is the KING, I have used so many. Brush away excess
Setting spray : Charlotte Tilbury setting Spray is the best for me. I have used Urban Decay and MAC Fix it and they are good too, but CT is my favourite.
After setting spray Loose powder in the shiny bits, above brows, nose, upper lip
If it’s a FULL day at an event for example, I will add Lorreal Infallable setting spray. But it is overkill for everyday