2 + 1 best sunscreens for oily skin

aco sunscreen review

Sunscreen and oily skin. Not a good combo. If your skin has even a slight tendency to oiliness – you know just what I’m talking about. I’m not sure what it is exactly that causes my skin to break out and to shine even brighter like a diamond (Rihanna gets it) with sunscreens, but I’ve learned that once you find a product that works for you, you hold on to that product and never let go.

And you tell everyone all about it – since most of us don’t enjoy that sticky feeling anyway. And it would be nice to wear makeup on top of that sunscreen. So – here are three best sunscreens that work for oily and combination skin and that work really well under makeup as well. I would think that all skintypes would benefit from these (if your skin is dry, just apply your regular moisturizers under them).

eucerin mattifying sun fluid

Eucerin sun fluid mattifying (SPF 30 & SPF 50)

Eucerin’s thin fluid sunscreen is the winner for me as the best sunscreen for oily face. When I first found it, I couldn’t believe it’s true. It’s really a super lightweight fluid, almost watery. It absorbs into the skin quickly and it leaves a matte finish. It also stays quite matte, it doesn’t move anywhere. It doesn’t have a heavy scent to it – except that it smells like summer, since it’s always my memory from this product.

This is also Risto’s favorite – as he’s bald he needs to cover his head as well and this is one of his favorite sunscreens, as it’s so light and matte.

The only downside to this is that as it’s so runny (is that a word?), the packaging can get a bit messy. The packaging could be bigger too, but then again it’s so easy to travel with since it’s quite small. Other than that, per-fect.

Eucerin mattifying fluid SPF 50*

aco sun fluid mattifying

ACO Sun Face Fluid Mattifying SPF 50

I got ACO’s mattifying sunscreen as a pr-sample and I was eager to test it, as it’s quite affordable, the packaging is perfect and it’s easily available in my country.  And I am positively surprised.

This fluid is not as thin and watery as the one mentioned before, but it’s still quite lightweight. It feels a bit sticky, when you first apply it, but once it absorbs, it feels nice and lightweight. And yes – it leaves your skin quite matte. Not as matte as possible, but matte enough. This smells pleasant as well, like summer.

For my skin, this works as my moisturizer – if I apply a moisturizer under this, it doesn’t work. It starts to shine. But when I apply this to my cleansed face (possibly just a serum or a moisturizing mist under), it works wonders.

I definitely recommend this product as well – and I would think that if your skin is not quite that oily, you would prefer this than the Eucerin one.
The only thing here is, that this product and brand is only sold in Nordic countries.

I also got to try ACO’s new transparent sun spray (SPF 30), which is amazing for your body, if you want your sunscreen to be non-sticky and lightweight for your body as well. And obviously ACO has a whole range with different products for different skintypes.

www.aco.fi

great sunscreen for oily face

mineral makeup sunscreen

+ Mineral makeup

I know mineral makeup is not technically a sunscreen, but it does act like one. And it does a great job. Also – if you choose your mineral makeup right, it is the right choice for the environment. Minerals work as a physical sunscreen, meaning that they reflect the light away from your skin. I hate to admit it, but physical sunscreens are the ones, that are better for the environment.

If I lost you on ‘physical sunscreen’ – make sure to check out this post: Physical vs. chemical sun lotion.

And in my experience, physical sunscreens don’t let you down. I don’t think I’ve ever burned, wearing mineral makeup on my face (or wearing a physical sunscreen). It’s a safe choice. Needless to say, it also acts as your makeup, so your skin looks beautiful and even.

The only downside to it is that it doesn’t stay matte – unless you powder it and fix it during the day, as you would your makeup.

My favorite mineral makeup is Lily Lolo’s mineral makeup, but the second would be Everyday Minerals. If you don’t mind silicones, I also like Jane Iredale’s mineral foundations. I also use Zuii Organic‘s foundation bases and they work really well as well (even though it’s not a mineral makeup line per se).

Lily Lolo Mineral Foudation*  (blog post)

Everyday MineralsYou can order free samples from their site, if you want to try first!

Jane Iredale

mattifying sunscreen

Photos of me: Kauneusgurusi

What is your favorite sunscreen for face?
And do you know of a natural sunscreen for face, that works and is very lightweight? I’d love to find more options.

best sunscreens for oily skin

The best makeup sponges – The beautyblender VS Miracle Complexion Sponge

makeup reviews blog

You need to try an egg-shaped makeup sponge. Really.

I always apply my foundation with a makeup sponge. Yet I’ve never written about beauty sponges here on my blog, even though it’s the ultimate makeup trick.

Okay, sure. I might have mentioned the beauty blender here and there. But since using a makeup sponge for makeup application is the key element in doing my makeup and making my base look beautiful and flawless – I think it needs a bigger spotlight.

So today, I’m gonna convince you to try it. And I have two makeup sponges for you to consider: the original beautyblender and Real Tecniques’ miracle complexion sponge.

egg makeup sponges review

Why should you try a makeup sponge in the first place?

Easy: because it blends the foundation for you. A damp makeup sponge thins out the foundation just a tiny bit, making it spread evenly all over the face. The best way to create a beautiful base is to layer your foundation in thin layers. And with a makeup sponge, you can do just that.

Besides applying foundation and a concealer – you can also use makeup sponge for any cream products: contour, highlight and blush. A contour made with cream color and a makeup sponge looks very natural – and again, blending is very easy with it.

And last, but not least: you can even apply powder with the sponge. It actually makes the powder melt to your foundation, making it everything, but cakey. Just try it once!

An egg-shaped makeup sponge is the perfect shape, because you can use the pointier end under your eyes and for details – and the wider end to distribute foundation quickly all over your face.

Obviously you can also try different ways to use the sponge: if your foundation is very thick, you may want to use a very damp makeup sponge. Or if your foundation is quite sheer, you can dampen your makeup sponge, but squeeze it almost dry. For example: I think Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation was made to be applied with a very damp makeup sponge. Then again some lightweight BB-cream requires a not-so damp makeup sponge. Either way, it’s essential to use a makeup sponge – it just makes the base so much better.

What else should you know about makeup sponges?

One makeup sponge lasts roughly for about three months. It’s not as long lasting as makeup brushes, but the fact that I still prefer sponges instead of brushes tells you just how necessarily they are.

In order to keep it in good shape and hygienic, you need to wash it. I recommend washing it after every use. It sounds like a lot of work, but if you wash it after every use, there’s not much to wash, so it’s very quick and will only take you a minute. My worst nightmare is a makeup sponge, that hasn’t been washed in months, and is just laying there, in the makeup bag. Nope! Take it out, wash it, and let it dry somewhere, where it gets some air. And if it’s been in your use for a year already.. honey, it’s time to let it go.

I usually wash my sponges just with a regular marseille soap. But keep in mind, that some brands require their own soap to be used, so that the sponge lasts the time it is supposed to last.

So.. there are a ton of makeup sponges out there. Which one to choose? First of all, I want to say that it does make a difference, which brand you choose. I have tried some horrible ones, usually the cheapest. If your experience is with a cheap egg-shaped makeup sponge and you don’t like it: chances are that it’s just bad. A good makeup sponge should feel soft, quite lightweight and easy to use.

Try either one of these!

*adlink

the beauty blender

The original beautyblender

The hype around the original beautyblender is real. I can’t even count how many beauty blenders I have gone through.

It came first, it conquered and it will forever stay as a classic – at least in my books. It is the perfect size, you can get it in different colors (not that it really matters) and it makes applying foundation or concealer so much easier.

Pros
+ Great quality
+ Perfect size for the whole face
+ Feels soft and airy on the skin
+ It’s very lightweight
+ Cute colors
+ It’s the ‘real deal’

Cons
– It’s quite pricey (almost 20€ for one)
– It should be washed with beauty blender’s own soap – if you use some other too harsh soap, it may not last as long

Shop on amazon:

*the beautyblender

real techniques miracle complexion sponge

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I can’t hide my excitement with this one – it is currently my favorite makeup sponge. I was a bit skeptical about it at first, especially after using beauty blenders for so long. But now I have to admit it: it’s an awesome option for the beautyblender. It’s slightly bigger than the bb, making it not as convenient for details. It comes in one color: orange. But it makes applying foundation, concealer and other makeup products so much easier and it provides a beautiful base.

Pros
+ Great quality
+ Perfect size for applying foundation
+ Feels soft and nice on the skin
+ Very affordable (~ 5€ for one! That’s fourth of what the bb costs!)
+ You can get it in two or four packs, when it’s even more affordable (~16€ for four!)

Cons
– It’s a bit clumsy for details, such as applying concealer under your eyes
– It’s not as lightweight and airy as the beautyblender

Shop on amazon:
*Miracle Complexion sponge

beauty makeup blog

So there are my two favorite egg-shaped makeup sponges. Have you tried either one of these? Is there something that’s even better? Let me know in the comments!

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