Do You Use Blotting Papers?
Because I do, apparently, and I have a new find I’m obsessed with. Let’s call Tatcha the gold standard for blotting papers. Why? Because there are gold flakes in the papers, and I love a good pun. Also? They are a favorite among beauty editors and makeup artists, for reasons that are, to me, very clear.
Some things to know about blotting paper: They’ve been used for hundreds of years by Japanese women to keep their skin looking fresh instead of slick, and to keep makeup in place. Nowadays, most blotting papers, which you can find on the counter by the cash at beauty stores, are made of rice paper or pulp or a combination thereof, and some powder—all of which can be irritating, or take away way too much oil (thus drying out the skin).
Traditionally, though, good blotting papers were made of abaca leaf, which is what Tatcha uses.
Last week, we were in San Francisco meeting our friends at Beautylish, who gifted these to us over cocktails. I shoved mine in my bag thinking they’d probably come in handy once I was back in New York, where the weather is ever so slowly heating up but also constantly rainy and—ugh—humid.
I love a dewy complexion as much as the next girl, but there’s a fine line between looking fresh and hydrated and looking like a hot mess. That’s where these papers come in. My experience so far has been that these don’t remove or smudge makeup, they don’t dry out my face by robbing me of my good oils, and one paper does the trick for my whole face. (If you’ve ever used rice paper blotters and gone through five in one sitting, you know that last bit is huge.)
To get an idea why these papers feel so different, I rang them up and asked some questions. As with all natural cosmetics, the performance of the product comes down to the quality of the ingredients. These do not use rice or pulp, or an abaca-leaf blend. This is 100% albaca. Also, I’m told, there are 10 grades of the leaf, and Tatcha uses the highest grade. One pack costs $12 (and it’s cheaper if you get a multi-pack).
They also pointed out that makeup artists use this by the boxload—because it sets makeup beautifully. “Most makeup is made up of pigment and a carrier oil,” says Tatcha’s Vicky Tsai. “All you want is the pigment—but it’s the oil that gets it onto your skin evenly.” So one trick you can try? Apply your makeup with a sponge, and 10 seconds after you apply, blot with their papers. That will remove the excess oil but not the pigment, making it last longer on your face! Makes sense to us. I will try this later and report back in the comments.
I couldn’t be happier with these. I’ve been using Tammy Fender’s luxurious, brain-melting cream, but since it’s gross in New York, this is just what I need to feel—and look—hydrated, but not like a greaseball. I’d also recommend these for people with oily or active skin, and for use on eyelids, which can get slick no matter what your skin type.
So what about you. Do you use blotting papers?
I have tried many blotting papers and they all would steal my natural oils, but this one sounds so good i am soon going to buy this one now :)
Thank you so much for sharing this :D
I’ve used them at various times in the past, mostly in high school. I always loved them except when I experienced the drying effect. I will have to check these out.
do they help exfoliate your faces skin?
I’ve used blotting papers since high school when I discovered them at the Body Shop. I take them to weddings for the grooms, they inevitably sweat but no guy is going to “powder” before a picture so I offer them the papers to get the shine off.
So this may seem odd but it’s saved me a few times when I’ve run out of my stash….the paper toilet seat covers in public restrooms work in a similar way as blotting paper. Try it!
Okay, I’m completely sucked in. I’ve never used blotting papers and considered them one of those rip-off things that some company tells me I need but I really don’t. But after reading your post I checked out comments on the internet/press and Tatcha sounds so awesome. So I’m giving them a try (love that the Tatcha website has free shipping on any size order). Where I live there are not many hot days, but for a few brutal weeks of the year I’m sure I’ll be happy I have these.
Sounds great! A question about the gold though: does it say anywhere how it is sourced? I know there’s a lot of issue there and with fair trade gold being such a new thing…
I have noticed with the body-shop papers that my skin got dry-ish. But it does work, I used to do that for pictures and film. I was out the last time I had to take pictures, so I have a shiny and surprisingly red head!
I used to use them all the time, but when I made the switch to natural skincare, I lost the shine that I used to blot away, so I didn’t feel that I needed them anymore. I am interested in the idea of using them to set makeup. That’s worth checking into!
i very lightly use regular old brown paper towels in the bathroom @ work. it works, and so, anyway, i am broke. i will proabably even jack some a cut them up for carrying in my purse! thrift? thrift.
I cannot believe I’ve lived this long and have never even heard of blotting papers. Very interesting. You just may have converted me and I am an extremely hard sell. Good post!
I received my order within two days (impressive!). First try was today, used papers to set my Alima mineral makeup this morning. Even after getting a bit warm while running about this afternoon, I notice I don’t have ANY icky shininess. No touch-ups needed.
I just got some of these and they’re wonderful. I never thought blotting papers weer for me, since i’d only used pharmacy brands or rice paper, which would dry me out and cause me to be even oilier within hours. But these are a great midday cleanup, and they also help keep my bangs from getting greasy by stopping them from sopping up the oils on my forehead.