mattifying moisturisers

L'Oreal Plenitude Hydra-Matify All Day Shine Control Moisturiser (#4.49 for 100ml)

This is a fresh fluid which was pleasant to use and felt like a normal moisturiser, unlike some of the others. Make-up went on very easily and gave a natural, but shine-free, look which lasted between two and three hours. 7/10

Helena Rubinstein Mat Specialist 2-Way Shine Control Fluid

(#19 for 50ml)

This fluid is easy to apply, and - unlike some of the others tested - it did not make foundation sit on the skin like a mask. After an initial sting, this proved to be an extremely comfortable cream which actually helped with the blending of make-up and prevented the breakthrough of shine for around four hours. 8/10

Pond's Shine Control Moisturiser (#3.19 for 100ml)

This solid, cold-feeling cream is desribed as a ''vanishing cream'' - presumably because it is absorbed into the skin instantly - which ''absorbs excess oil''and provides ''a lasting matte finish''. It was easy to apply, but when I put my foundation on, it seemed to set like a mask, making it difficult to blend without rubbing off my skin. It did indeed eliminate all traces of oil. The result was a very matte, very unnatural look but no shine appeared for at least five hours. This cream is probably a better bet for teenage/male users who don't wear foundation. 7/10

Vichy Adaptive Specially for Combination Skin

(#10.50 for 50ml)

This is a pleasant-smelling, balm-like cream which claims to give oily areas a lasting matte appearance, while providing hydration to drier patches. It was easy to use and, like the Pond's cream, disappeared into the skin much more quickly than normal moisturisers. It was easier to apply make-up on top of this cream than it was with the Pond's one, and it was also more comfortable to wear. The matte effect lasted around four hours. 8.5/10

Botanics Shine Control Moisturising Fluid

(#3.99 for 100ml)

This is a very fresh, pleasant-smelling fluid which sank into the skin immediately. Foundation was difficult to apply since it just seemed to lock onto the skin's surface and wouldn't budge. Unfortunately, shine began to appear within a couple of hours. 5/10