Got Blot is a transparent powder (do not be scared that it is pure white) that is appropriate for every skin tone. The powder is lightweight and no matter how many times you need to dab it on, it won’t build up like a pancake. It contains “tea tree oil to help fight acne, aloe to soothe and calm, and vitamin E to help repair skin damage.” As those of us who battle the shine because of our combination or oily skin know, acne is always there waiting in the wings; ready to pounce at the most inconvenient time. Like when you are going to your high school reunion, going on a date, your Aunt Ethel wants to take 20 pictures of you…so its great to be able to use a product that can multi-task.

I really liked Got Blot because 1. It comes in a compact and can easily fit in your handbag to take with you 2. The results are immediate 3. The whole acne fighting thing.

Make Under is actually found in the Skin Care part of Urban Apothecary’s site. Make Under comes in two formulas: original and matte. This is a primer that preps your skin to look flawless when you apply your makeup. You only need the teeniest amount to get smooth, even coverage. Naturally, I was sent the matte formula and it worked well to keep the shine at bay.

While I am talking about Urban Apothecary, they have a section of their website where you can submit information for a Digi Makeover. Its a very cool way to get personalized product recommendations. While you’re on the site, you can also read up on their 5 minute makeover .

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When I received my Little Blot Book, it indeed looked like a book. Adorable, yet stylish. When I popped it open, there was a decent sized mirror, mattifying powder, a small brush and blotting papers. It’s compact, yet still gives you an enormous amount of product.

I am an ingredients fanatic, so it impressed me to find out that the mattifying powder contained: Vitamin E and A, Green Tea, Chamomile and Aloe. So I could control shine and nourish my skin? Excellent!

So does it work? Yes! In the morning, I use the blotting papers, brush on the powder, then apply my loose powder over it. The mattifying powder feels very light, so you don’t get that caked on feeling when you add loose powder later. I only had to touch up a few times during the day and the shine control lasted for hours. Love it!

This is a product I now carry as a staple in my handbag. My battle with shine control is now over.

Another product from tarte that I have heard great things about is their cheek stain. Have you tried it? Let me know how it works!

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Unfortunately this anti-shine gel didn’t do much mattifying to suit my needs. The sample gave me about 3 uses and I applied the gel to my shinest areas; around my nose, my cheeks and my forehead. It did do some slight mattifying, but nothing substantial and certainly nothing that lasted a very long time.

I was disappointed since Lola Cosmetics has some really cute looking products, but sometimes when I have a less than stellar experience the first time I try a brand, I am always hesitant to try anything else.

Have you used this product? Did it render you the same results?

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Here’s what I ordered:

Benefit Realness of Concealness
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Imju Fiberwig Mascara

The samples I chose:

LOLA Refine Shine Anti-Shine Gel
Cosmedicine Medi-morphosis Self Adjusting Exfoliator
Prevage Eye Anti-Aging Moisturizing Treatment

I do wish they would’ve offered a better variety of samples. The majority were skin care samples and I was looking for more makeup related samples. However, I can’t complain–free is free after all. Of course, you will see reviews of these products here and on A Girl’s Gotta Spa! in the coming weeks.

If you’ve used any of these products, let me know what you thought of them.

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What they say:

A light-textured lemon-scented anti-shine gel that instantly refreshes and mattifies oily skin on contact. Ideal for acne-prone skin types, this refreshing gel can be used in place of moisturizer when skin is especially oily.

I’ve been applying the anti-shine gel as part of a step by step process in my facial routine, which have made my skincare issues turn around 360 degrees. I have been exclusively been using only Korres skin care products on my face and the results have been amazing (you can see a review of the Wild Rose Mask here and Brightening Serum here).

The anti-shine gel is a product you apply before your moisturizer. I have been using the gel after I apply the Brightening Serum and then applying the Pomegranate Balancing Moisturizer. You have to allow 2 minutes for the gel to dry and absorb into your skin before you can apply your moisturizer.

I hardly notice the lemon scent, in fact I didn’t even notice it at all. Possibly because you need very little product to cover your problem areas. I did notice a mattifying effect on my skin right away and my skin also appeared to be taunt. It controlled the shine for a few hours.

Since the instructions say to only apply it under your moisturizer, I did not attempt to reapply the gel over my makeup once the shine began to return. I love that this is a clear product and coming in a gel means it applies easily. It did work great for several hours, but not much longer than 4 hours.

While I do like this product, I will continue to hunt down that perfect anti-shine product that will last all day without compromising on the quality of mattifying my skin.

If you have used this product, what did you think of it?

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I tried this product by applying it two different ways; over my makeup and under my makeup. The site indicates that you should apply it over makeup.

The product was much smaller than I thought it would be, however, you don’t need very much at all for coverage. I loved the scent of the balm. Yum.

I first applied this product over my makeup as suggested on the website. Using the sponge it comes with to apply it, it also meant taking my makeup with it. At first my skin appeared shiny looking, however that eventually went away.

After a few times of trying it over my makeup, I decided to apply Dr. Feelgood under my makeup. I applied it after my moisturizer absorbed, mainly in my t-zone where I get the most shine. Applying my foundation and powder over it made a big difference. It seemed to work better this way and I noticed that my shine was definitely less.

Both this product and Jane Iredale’s Absence work in the same way, but Absense is a bit thicker in consistency. I think they are equal in how they work controlling shine.

Have you tried Dr. Feelgood? What do you think of it?

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I shine like a wet seal. There. I said it out loud. I absolutely hate this t-zone thing I have going on, where my glands seem to be in overdrive lately and putting the glare into everyone’s eyes. Instead of Criss Angel Mind Freak, I am Shannon Shine Freak. *sigh*

So when I knew I would be receiving products from jane iredale to try, I decided to be bold and make a specific request to try Absence.

What jane says about Absence:

Absence forms an attraction barrier between the skin and makeup so that makeup can stay on longer, and skin stays shine-free.

Absence doesn’t just absorb oil the way most oil-control products do, but actually helps to control over-active sebaceous glands. It has no effect on the actual moisture of the skin. The seaweed content in this product also helps to regulate the pH balance of the skin. You have to try this to believe it!

If all that isn’t enough, Absence also has a broad spectrum SPF 15.

What I thought:

The first few times I tried Absence, I was a complete idiot and put it on over my Liquid Minerals. It still controlled the shine, but my Pure Pressed Powder sort of stuck to it. Then it hit me, or rather Christina told me, that it should be applied before the Liquid Minerals. See, this is what happens when you have the average person trying products out…it’s all about trial and error and showing people you can be a little dumb at times.

Once I applied Absence prior to using my Liquid Minerals, I noticed a big difference. While Absence feels thick and balmy at first, it absorbs into your skin and becomes lightweight, just like the Liquid Minerals. I then used the Liquid Minerals over it and brushed on the Pure Pressed Powder (review to come). My face looked matte, with no shine present.

Absence lasted a long while and I noticed I didn’t have to touch up my face with powder to control the shine as much as usual. There was a long duration between when I first applied my makeup until the next touch up time. Which is great, because honestly, when do I have time to keep checking on my makeup?

While Absence is an extremely fair color, it did not make me appear pale or lighten the look of my skin tone. This is a product that all women with shine issues should look into.

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