If you have oily skin, you know how difficult it is to find a foundation that stays put. But the truth is that while the type of foundation is crucial for a shine-free look, the steps you take before and after you apply it are equally crucial. To find out the best way to prepare your skin and apply makeup without it sliding right off, we turned to L’Oréal brand ambassador (and Beyoncé's makeup artist) Sir John and Blushington director of artistry Jessica Scantlin for their best go-to tips.

Keep scrolling to find out what they said!

"It is super important for girls with oily skin to start at the skincare level before even applying makeup," says Sir John. He recommends using a Clarisonic brush and following up with an exfoliating cleanser to establish a clean base before makeup application begins. 

Apply a Water-Based Moisturizer

The last thing you want to do is apply an oily moisturizer on oil-prone skin, which is why moisturizers like L’Oréal Revitalift Moisture Blur are such a home run for shiny complexions: “This product is amazing because it moisturizes but also gives a photo-matte finish. It essentially erases all fine lines and allows you to use less foundation,” explains Sir John.

Matte foundation for oily skin sounds like an obvious choice, right? The trick, however, is all in how you apply it: “You are going to want to stipple the foundation all over the face since the skin is oily, and it can tend to draw foundation differently in the oilier spots. In those areas, work the foundation in a little bit more sheer and replace with powder,” says Scantlin.

Avoid Powders With Sheen

Speaking of powder, those with a hint of shine to them (like highlighting powders) are an oily-skinned girl’s worst nightmare. Instead, Scantlin suggests opting for matte, loose translucent powders, which soak up the oil a bit more than regular pressed powder.

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