How to Use Blotting Paper Correctly (It's All in the Press)

Blotting paper seems simple enough. You take a sheet, press it against your skin, and the oil disappears. But there's a technique that makes the difference between makeup that stays intact and makeup that smudges.

The Wrong Way: Rubbing

When you rub blotting paper across your face, you create friction. This friction disturbs your foundation, concealer, and powder. The result? Patchy makeup and wasted product.

Rubbing also pushes oil around rather than lifting it away. You might remove some shine temporarily, but you're spreading oil to other areas of your face.

The Right Way: Pressing

Pressing is the technique that professionals use. Here's how it works:

1. Peel — Lift one sheet from the pack. Our bamboo charcoal blotting paper sheets are designed to separate easily.
2. Press — Hold the sheet against oily areas (forehead, nose, chin) for 2-3 seconds. Don't move it around.
3. Lift — Peel the sheet away. You'll see the oil on the paper, not your face.

Why Pressing Works Better

When you press, the blotting paper's fibers draw oil away from your skin through absorption. There's no friction, so your makeup stays exactly where you put it.

The oil-absorbing sheets work like a sponge, pulling excess sebum from your skin's surface without disturbing the layers underneath.

When to Use Blotting Paper

• Midday, when your T-zone starts to shine
• Before touch-ups, to create a clean base
• After exercise, before you reapply makeup
• In humid weather, as often as needed

The Bottom Line

Blotting paper is a simple tool, but technique matters. Press, don't rub. Your makeup will thank you.