A Pro Makeup Artist Shares the Best Celeb-Tested Foundations for Oily Skin

We wouldn't blame you for thinking that every celebrity in Hollywood was born with skin that's naturally dewy — but never shiny! — and always looks lit from within. The real reason their complexions always look so flawless? They know the right people. 

“As a pro makeup artist, I encounter so many skin types — and the most common question with clients fighting oily skin is, ‘Will I get shiny?’ So I always track down the products that are legitimately long wearing and mattifying,” says editorial and celebrity makeup artist Jared Lipscomb, who’s prettied a slew of celebs, including some of your favorite faces from Vanderpump Rules.

Ahead, Lipscomb shares with Most Wanted his favorite tried-and-true foundations that have passed the red carpet test and leave skin matte and even — without even a touch of cakiness.

Why Lipscomb loves it: “This mattifying foundation is perfect for a full coverage look. I’m obsessed with using this foundation for red carpets and weddings, or any occasion where my clients might get hot — or even sweaty — but still need to be photo ready. An added bonus is that a little goes a long way, so you end up saving money.”

Pro tip: “This foundation can be pretty matte, so I like to skip using powder all over the face and focus only through the T-zone. This allows for the natural oils to create a subtle, dewy-from-within glow.”

Why Lipscomb loves it: “I use a powder foundation when all I need to do is beat the shine and even out the skin tone. This is the right product if your skin is generally clear but creates excessive oil. I like this powder foundation because it doesn’t clog up the pores and has all sorts of nourishing ingredients (pomegranate extract anyone?!).”

Pro tip: “While skin prep is always important, when dealing with powder all over your face, skin prep is the most important. You’ll want this application to be smooth and flawless, so a gentle exfoliant, moisturizer and primer — in that order — are all recommended prior to powdering.”

Why Lipscomb loves it: “A lot of matte foundations can have a fake, mask-like effect, but this one thankfully is the opposite. It simultaneously hides oil-prone skin while treating it with ingredients that are helpful in clearing pores — but my favorite aspect is the gorgeous velvet-matte finish. It doesn’t appear overtly dry, but definitely masks any oils.”

Pro tip: “To keep the look from appearing too matte, I like to finish with a soft dusting of a light-reflecting powder like Laura Mercier’s cult-favorite translucent powder or Hourglass’s own Ambient Lighting Powder.”

Why Lipscomb loves it: “This thick and very pigmented little tub of cream is such a wonderfully unique product. It can be both a concealer and a foundation but its coverage is completely dependent on YOU! Which is why it’s so great for oily skin. Basically, as a foundation, you’ll want to thin out the dense cream with a primer or moisturizer. Kevyn Aucoin has a great primer designed for this purpose, but if you have extreme oily skin, you can blend the Skin Enhancer with a matte primer or an oil-free moisturizer and — BAM! — you have instantly customized foundation.”

Pro tip: “Try customizing your routine. I like to mix the Skin Enhancer with an oil-free moisturizer for the T-zone and with a radiant primer for the cheek area. This way I have full control over the textures on the face without having to use multiple types of foundations.”

Why Lipscomb loves it: “This is the BEST drugstore foundation to create mattified skin! It blocks oil and definitely reduces shine. I haven’t put it to the 24-hour test, but I have put it to the red-carpet test … and it passed! Like a lot of matte products, it can appear dry, so as always, be sure to prep the skin with a lot of moisture!”

Pro tip: “This foundation tends to dry on the face fairly quick. I suggest applying it and blending it in sections on the face so you have plenty of time to flawlessly blend out the product.”