Foundation that disappears at midday, T zone that shines in every selfie, blush that disappears before after work: for oily skin, maintaining clear makeup is often a challenge. Especially when classic setting sprays add even more shine. What if the new generation spotted by Sali Hughes finally changed the situation?
The British beauty columnist devoted one of her sections to these mattifying setting sprays designed for oily skin. Their promise: to keep makeup in place despite heat, humidity, pollution, while avoiding the plaster effect of layered powders. The secret lies in the texture, the finish on the skin and a few well-chosen active ingredients.
Oily skin: why old setting sprays were disappointing
A makeup setting spray is applied all over the face once makeup is finished. It creates an invisible barrier against heat, humidity and pollution, which limits foundation from migrating and concealer from streaking. Some formulas, like Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, promise hold for up to about 16 hours while incorporating smoothing aloe vera, hydrating Japanese green tea, and aromatic resin with anti-inflammatory effects.
And then there is the visual effect: these mists cut the “powdery” side and give a softer, more youthful finish. Great on dry or normal skin, much less so on oily skin for which this luminous glow often translates into a frankly oily shine. As a result, many people with oily skin continued to pile on layers of powder, at the risk of obtaining a set complexion that marks fine lines.
The new matte setting sprays according to Sali Hughes
Sali Hughes describes a new wave of fixatives that keep all the benefits of the old ones, but with a velvety, blurring matte finish that doesn’t weigh down the complexion. She particularly mentions the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte, a less “dewy” version than the original, ideal for everyday use for oily or combination skin, and perfect for a long day or a wedding, without drying out or cracking makeup.
For an almost completely shine-free result, she cites Make It Last Matte Charcoal Spray by Milani, which absorbs excess sebum with a lightly powdered finish, without plaster effect or color change, best reserved for really oily skin. Finally, the On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray from One/Size offers a very long-lasting armor effect, almost waterproof, even if the sensation when applied is a little reminiscent of hairspray. About these formulas, she summarizes: , explains Sali Hughes in her beauty column for .
How to choose the best oily skin setting spray
To find the best oily skin setting spray, certain criteria are more important than others. It is better to favor a matte or “shine-free” finish with mention of sebum control, and absorbent powders like charcoal. The so-called “Prep + Fix” formulas can serve as both a foundation and a final fixative, useful when the T zone shines quickly.
As for gestures, specialists recommend spraying the spray in the last step, about twenty centimeters away, like a thermal mist, then repeating as a touch-up during the day if necessary. An interesting tip is to use the mist at several times: a veil after the foundation, another after the blush, to further strengthen the hold, especially on the forehead, nose and chin.
Which setting spray to use on very oily skin?
Very matte formulas like Milani’s Make It Last Matte Charcoal Spray or One/Size’s On ‘Til Dawn Spray target very oily skin well, especially in heat, long evenings or intensive events.
Can a setting spray replace powder on oily skin?
The powder and the spray are complementary: the powder immediately mattifies, the spray fixes and smoothes the whole without overloading. On oily skin, you can limit the powder to the T zone, then seal with a mattifying setting spray.
How to properly apply a mattifying setting spray on oily skin?
Close your eyes, hold the bottle about 20 cm away, then spray in an
