Battle of the Oil Blotters

Having combination skin is manageable. I mean, I still hate that I tend to get a shiny T-Zone in about an hour after I've finished applying makeup, but the invention of oil blotting paper has helped a great deal. If you only needed to take the essentials in a small purse, make sure there's space for that. You'll be particularly thankful for them when you've been sitting in a plane for hours and have no time or space for a full-fledged retouch.

Some of you may think that these things are overrated. Why purchase another item that will take space in your bag when you can just dab on a thin layer of powder to get rid of the shine? It's a rookie mistake: Facial Oil + Powder = A Cakey look. I've seen it so many times. Please invest in blotters.

I've used several brands to date, and I still get apprehensive when it's time to pick up a new pack. If I wanted to try a new brand out, there's always trepidation when it comes to speculating how effective the product will turn out to be.

I stay away from the overly cheap ones, like this one I got from some random department store for Php25 or Php50: It's nothing but a glorified cookie sheet cut up into small rectangles that barely absorbs any oil.

The most commonly used brand would probably be Clean & Clear, which has been out in the market since I was in my early teens. It's immensely basic and is sold in every drugstore, grocery, or department store in the country. These thin blue sheets do the job, hands down. Let it be your go-t0, if the other products are unavailable. (Perhaps around Php120)



When you get used to oil blotters and consider yourself something of a connoisseur (funny as that sounds), then it's time to move up and explore the the more specific details that differentiate each brand.

The Face Shop offers their own oil blotters that look identical to Clean & Clear's. They cost around Php50 - Php60 when I was able to get some from Korea. It's probably twice the price in Manila. I found it had a softer feel to the face than Clean & Clear, which mean less of that scraping feeling and less of the makeup coming off onto the sheet.

Next up is "Lehcaresor" Papier Poudre, a booklet of powdered paper that you literally have to tear off to use. I bought mine from Rustan's Department Store. As I mentioned above, layering powder on top of oil is a bad idea. (It sounds like a recipe for dough.) But do try this if  you don't have an oily face or if you have already blotted the oil away. It functions as a handy-sized alternative to taking your chunky powder compact with you. Perfect for your party clutch or if you already have another mirrored compact to retouch with. Plus, the powder is finely ground, so it goes on smoothly.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="431"] Rachel and Rose[/caption]

I suggest Rose for those with fairer skin and Rachel for those with morena skin.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="431"] Inside Rose[/caption]

Right now, I'm using Kleenex. It's super-absorbent like the packaging promises and is pretty soft. Upon a slight touch to the skin, the oil is immediately transferred to the paper. It's also cheaper than Clean & Clear, though contains less sheets inside.

I'd have to say that my top picks are Kleenex and The Face Shop for softer and gentler sheets that get the job done.

Hope this entry helps those who are looking for the best brand of blotters out there. :)

*Clean & Clear blotter photos are from the Clean & Clear official website.