Zone priming gives you a flawless complexion that lasts all day, minimising the effects of excess sebum. Photo: AFP
Keeping makeup flawless when you've got oily skin is a constant challenge. Shiny skin means foundation that slides off at the first hint of sebum.
But this inconvenience could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a new trick called zone priming that's gone viral on TikTok, promising to keep skin smooth and matte all day long.
Oily skin is characterised by a shiny complexion, directly linked to excess sebum, but it can also mean dilated pores, blackheads and other imperfections, which can mar the daily life of those concerned.
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While a healthy lifestyle, combined with a beauty routine based on mattifying products, can alleviate some of these inconveniences, it can be tricky to get rid of them for good.
TikTok users, however, may have found the ultimate makeup trick – not to get rid of their oily skin, but to keep their makeup in place, so they can enjoy smooth, matte skin all day long.
A minor miracle, according to beauty aficionados on the Chinese social network.
Targeted solutions for each zone
Content creator Amelia Olivia, who has over a million followers on the Chinese social network, is responsible for the widespread popularity of this tip, garnering some 400,000 views since it landed.
The young woman simply explains how to apply primers specifically targeted to each area of the face.
According to her, but also according to those who have since tried and tested the method, this process keeps shiny skin at bay on the most critical area of the face – the famous T-zone – while keeping the skin on the cheeks from getting too dry.
Dubbed zone priming, this technique makes it possible to keep makeup flawless – and in place – from morning till night.
In more detail, you simply start your makeup routine by applying a moisturising cream, essential for nourishing the skin and ensuring that foundation sets perfectly in place.
Once you've taken this first step, choose a primer designed for oily skin, to apply to the T-zone.
This can be a smoothing primer, formulated to tighten pores, or a mattifying primer, so long as the ingredients have been chosen to combat the shiny effect that is associated with this skin type.
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Then, simply choose a moisturising base for the cheeks, which are more prone to dryness, to avoid the crocodile-skin effect.
Once you've finished applying your primers, simply continue with your usual makeup routine: foundation, BB cream or powder, then contouring if that's your thing.
However, it's a good idea to wait a few minutes between applying each product – whether it's the moisturiser or the various bases you've chosen – to allow the skin to fully absorb the product.
This trick will also help keep the foundation in place throughout the day.
The hashtag #zonepriming has already gained over a million views on the Chinese social network – a sure sign of its success with users. – AFP Relaxnews
