The beauty quick fix that should be in everyone's bag is a pack of blotting papers. Makeup artists swear by them for soaking up unwanted shine without messing up makeup. And women in general love them for the quickest way to freshen up anytime, anywhere. Here are our top 10 picks that you're sure to fall in love with, too.
We included one of our favorites in our POPSUGAR Must Have box for April as well — find out more and join in the fun!
A wise man once told me that he didn't believe in the walk of shame, because there's nothing for which to be ashamed. And while I agree with his sentiments, sometimes there's no avoiding feeling a little less than put-together after a fun night out. Since "unshowered and stale" isn't the kind of Facebook status update you probably want to have, I've put together a clever kit of products, all in sizes small enough to stay inconspicuous without cluttering up your purse. To find out more about these goods, just wave your cursor over each one.
Reader vally521 posed a great makeup question in the new BellaSugar Q&A Group. She wants to know, "How can I prevent my makeup from getting cakey?"
Thanks for your query, vally521. Nobody wants crinkly, unnatural-looking makeup. Not only does it have a tendency to age the skin, but it also gives the illusion that you're wearing way too much foundation or powder. Find out five ways to keep your cosmetics looking smooth and fresh when you read more.
I remember the first time I ever experienced the magic of an oil-blotting paper. Picture it, Sophia Petrillo-style: It was a steaming hot day in Chicago circa 2000. My friend and I were bridesmaids in a wedding, and our carefully applied makeup was melting more and more by the minute. Out popped her stash of this brand new product she turned me on to, called "blotting sheets." I was hooked from then on. Here we are, several years later and just about every makeup company around has some type of oil-absorbing tissues, linens, papers, and/or films — some even enclosed in their own fancy case. The most recently launched blotter comes to us from Tatcha. Its aburatorigami ($12-30), aka "oil blotting paper" in Japan, also refers to a special kind of paper that's a by-product of the gold leaf manufacturing process. In fact, the beauty benefits of aburatorigami were well-known in the 1800s by geisha. (It looks like these now-mainstream purse staples aren't so "new" after all.)
This is going to sound weird, but I love seeing oil and sebum. I love them most when they are no longer in my face, which is why oil-blotting sheets are so much fun. There's something satisfying about dabbing your skin, then seeing the "oil spill" on the paper. Better there than on my face, right? I've been using Chidoriya blotting papers, which are great, but I recently tried Clean & Clear's new Morning Burst sheets ($4.67).
If you're new to Clean & Clear's version, the thing you need to know is that the sheets are made of plastic, not paper. The plastic is thin and flexible, so it's easy to get into the folds of your nostrils and soak up that oil. I keep these at my desk or in my purse, and a little dabbing throughout the day keeps my skin from getting too shiny. (Remember, if you use these—or designer versions—be sure to blot and dab, not wipe. That way, your makeup will stay in place.)
So what makes the Morning Burst sheets different from the regular Clean & Clear sheets? To find out, read more
Welcome to the final installment of Matte Matters, my three-part series on designer blotting papers. (In case you missed them, here's Part I and Part II.) Oil-absorbing sheets have gone high-end, so you can now maintain a flawless matte face on the go and indulge your designer side, too. Here are three more new additions to the high-end blotting market.
Bourjois Anti-Shine Blotting Sheets ($13.50) are powder-free anti-shine papers that help absorb any excess oils and sebum on your face. And who can resist the stylist animal-print package? Each packet contains 50 sheets.
For two more blotting papers, read more
Welcome back to Matte Matters, my three-part series on designer blotting papers. (To read part one, click here.) Until now, oil-absorbing blotting papers like the ones from Papier Poudre were available mainly as a budget buy, but now these products are getting an upgrade. Here are three more new additions to the high-end blotting market.
Rodan + Fields Unblemish Oil Absorb Blot Papers ($19) contain a special ingredient called Zincidone, which not only absorbs shine but also promises to reduce the amount of oil your face produces over time. Each box contains 60 blotting sheets.
For two more blotting papers, read more
Since I discovered the new and luxuriously large Perfecting Powdered Sheets from NARS, I've noticed that more and more designer brands are now making blotting papers. Until now, oil-absorbing sheets like the ones from Papier Poudre were available mainly as a budget buy, but now these products are getting an upgrade. So I've put together a three-part series to introduce the new market for designer blotting papers.
Dior Blotting Papers ($21) help absorb any excess oil on your face. All 150 sheets are folded into a beautiful silver envelope with a mirror inside. Simply blot around your T-Zone for a magnificent matte look.
For two more blotting papers, read more
Just in the nick of time for the hot and humid summertime weather comes the latest launch from NARS Cosmetics. Called Perfecting Powdered Sheets and hitting stores July 1, these blotting sheets are designed to absorb oil and sweat from your face. They help eliminate shine and leave you skin feeling fresh and clean. Each paper contains a light layer of velvety NARS powder that is scented with rosemary — nice!
The powder sheets ($19.50 for 100) come in a thin black plastic case, but what I liked best about them is that they are really big! (I usually need about three of those tiny rose-colored powder papers to do the trick.) It's a perfectly compact solution to keep in your car or your tote for those muggy days ahead.
