Today I will talk about oil blotting sheets or paper =) And I will also talk about different kinds of blotting sheets and recommendations on how to find a good one!
So what is blotting paper or blotting sheets?
Blotting paper are thin small pieces of paper designed to soak up excess oil on the facial skin. Many people, especially those who have oily skin, like to use blotting paper on their face so they don't have a greasy shiny appearance.
Do I need blotting paper?
No, you don't have to use it. It is not like it will make your skin healthier or improve it biologically etc. It is more of an improvement in appearance. It will help mattify your face and it is also useful on oily skin, or people who are not oily usually but become oily because of a change in the weather and environment. I am oily on my forehead and nose so that's where I use them.
Because it helps with the appearance of the skin and doesn't have any deeper benefit, I have decided to make this post a makeup post.
Where can I find blotting paper?
You can find it online, at any beauty store such as Ulta and Sephora, and in Japanese lifestyle supermarkets haha like Mitsuwa and Marukai. They come in small paper packages, largest size being about the size of an iPhone or something with many sheets folded inside ranging from 50 to 200 sheets. The price depends on the brand name, number of sheets, and size of each sheet.
Kinds of blotting paper
There are 2 main kinds of blotting paper that I know:
1) regular blotting sheets: those designed to soak up oil and not do anything else
2) blotting sheets w/ translucent powder: these are designed for ppl who have makup on their face. The sheets will absorb excess oil but will not take off any makeup such as foundation or concealer because of the powder. Also, the powder is a way of reapplying finishing/translucent powder to help keep makeup matt, long lasting, and prevent it from smearing and melting off
How to use blotting paper?
This is very simple. Take out a sheet from the package, open it up (if it is folded), and gently press it on the areas of skin you want to get rid of excess oil. The paper will turn clear (a sign of oil being absorbed). Continuously press and change to unoiled parts of the sheet until the sheet is used or until you feel you are done!
What kinds of blotting paper should I buy/use?
Okay, so, I do recommend buying both regular blotting sheets and blotting sheets with translucent/finishing powder. Regular ones are great for everyday use, because it prevents you from looking like a greasball and that is a real turn off to anyone because it looks like you're not clean, even if you did shower and wash your face. I find the ones w/ powder very very handy for makeup touch ups because they are portable, simple, and fast to use. Also, I really recommend sheets w/ powder if you like wearing concealer and/or foundation and you have oily skin.
Important recommendation for buying regular blotting sheets! Any blotting sheet works the same as any other blotting sheet. It really does not matter what brand you buy. If you are spending more than $6 on a pack of blotting sheets (unless you are buying like a 500 sheet pack), you are getting ripped off. You are wasting your money. I'm serious, all those brand name products, especially the stuff at Sephora, that say they have like special ingredients like tea tree oil, is bullcrap. Why? Think about it. Cleansing your face with a cleanser, goes into your pores and gets absorbed into your skin, therefore, you are getting the special benefits from whatever that cleanser has, like tea tree oil to help oily skin. But, what about oil blotting paper? Oil blotting paper is designed to absorb oil, not give anything to you, it's supposed to take in the excess oil you don't want on your face. So, how is it supposed to give you something when it is designed to take something away? That doesn't make sense. Like, the only thing you are probably paying extra money for is the brand and frangrance, which is unnecessary. So save your money and go treat yourself w/ something more worthwhile! XD
Quick note: It is true that oil blotting sheets have varying thickness, which can give it a thicker and harder texture or thinner and softer texture. Personally, I don't mind if it is a bit thicker, but if you prefer something more gentle, try to find sheets that are thinner, so they feel softer on the skin. But! You can still find softer sheets that are around $6! or definitely less than $10! So, don't get ripped off by some sales clerk at a beauty store for something like it, unless your a rich person, then do whatever you want =P.
What oil blotting sheets do I buy and use?
I go to my local Marukai Japanese store to buy my regular blotting sheets. They are around $5 and I buy whatever brand is the cheapest =P. I also have bought a variety and they all work well and are the same.
Here are some photos of my regular oil blotting sheets:
For my blotting sheets w/ translucent/finishing powder, I buy it from Ulta, because I don't know where else to buy it XP :
So I hoped you liked my background post on blotting paper! Most people probably know about it, but just in case you would like to learn more or if you don't know, this post is for you!
Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write them in the comment box below!
See you later! =)
great post!!;)
ReplyDeletebtw, have u evrr troed clean n vlear blotting sheet? i heard so many people rave about it!!!:)
thanks X)
DeleteI have tried clean and clear blotting sheets before, and they do work well. But I think they work just as well as any other blotting sheets for a cheaper price. They just may be a little thinner and easier to absorb oil than others.