Lacoste spring 2011, Imaxtree

Long summer days fill our agendas with early bird shopping and late night dinners with the gals. We come prepared with a camera in one hand and a fro-yo in the other. But it’s hard to keep our makeup intact throughout the day under the scorching sun. Of all summertime pet peeves, many women face is the ever-gleaming T-zone (across your forehead and down your nose bridge). Gross. Don’t fret, dears, here’s your one-stop ultimate summer guide to control that oil!

For oily skin, pores are larger and more visible, which explains those unexpected and annoying breakouts. Unfortunately, skin becomes shiny and oily soon after cleansing no matter what cleanser you use (that’s why it’s important to moisturize after every wash!) There’s a difference between having sexy dewy skin and slick greasy skin. A big difference. Here are some tips and tricks to consider the next time you outshine your friends in a group photo:

Oil blotting sheets are your new BFFLS These travel-friendly miracle sheets take away any excess oil without removing your makeup! Just lightly dab across your face where oil gathers around most.

Photo: Courtesy of Clean and Clear. Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (50 count), $6, Walgreens

Photo: Courtesy of Sephora. Sephora Collection Natural Matte Papers (100 count), $8, Sephora

Cleansers for a refreshing morning

People with dry to normal skin tend to wash their faces once a day during the night. For oily skin, it is best to wash your face at night after a long day’s exposure to bacteria, makeup, and other kinds of dirt, and again in the morning or afternoon. Don’t forget to moisturize!

Photo: Courtesy of Clinique. Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser, $20, Clinique

Photo: Courtesy of Nordstrom. Shiseido Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam, $22, Nordstrom

Toners—and I don’t mean for your printer Toners or astringents help to remove excess oil from the skin. It should be used after a cleanser and before moisturizing.

Photo: Courtesy of Macy's. Fashion Fair Oil Minimizing Toner, $19, Macy’s
Photo: Courtesy of CVS. Aqua Glycolic Toner, $16, CVS

Powder that T-zone

Watch the matte powder absorb the oil right off your face! Apply it along the T-zone—the most oil-prone areas of your face (where the sun directly hits)— after moisturizing and before foundation or make up of any kind.

Photo: Courtesy of Urban Decay. Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder, $32, Urban Decay

Photo: Courtesy of Peter Thomas Roth. Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care, $30, Peter Thomas Roth

Tricks & Tools of the trade

No money? No problem. Look in your kitchen cabinet for black tea bags. Splash your face with cool-temperature black tea, but do not rinse! It’s a natural astringent (found in toner). If you’re looking forward to a long summer night that involves dancing, keep shiny skin at bay by preparing your skin with a mattifying primer under your make up, and along your T-zone creating a oil-soaking barrier. Powder blushes work on all skin types, especially oily skin. They’re long-lasting during the winter, but doesn’t handle sweat well during the summer. Instead, choose a cream blush or liquid cheek stain. Be weary of using cream eye shadow if you have oily skin. Creams can gather in creases throughout the day. Try using a powder-based eye shadow.

Legs for miles

To off set the unavoidable and unexpected oil attacks, give legs a natural glow by using a self tanner and mixing a dab of your regular lotion together. Or misting your skin with a tinted self-tanning spray. Take a large brush and glide shimmery powder straight down the front and back of your legs. Don’t brush like a madwoman; a straight glide gives the illusion of longer and leaner legs.

Photo: Courtey of ULTA. ULTA Tinted Self-Tanning Continuous Spray, $10, ULTA