In the beginning of 2019, I started offering airbrush to my services along with traditional application which I have done since the start. (Traditional is just your brush/sponge + liquid foundation that we all do!). However, most people don’t know that the certification I received when I started by business was actually in airbrush! Yup, I’m qualified to spray paint your face. Just kidding, it’s not that scary.
I am thrilled to now be offering another option for my clients, and I want to answer all the questions I’ve been receiving such as “what is difference? which is better?”
About Airbrush
The main difference between airbrush and traditional makeup is the way in which they are applied. The airbrush method uses drops of specially formulated foundation into a machine, which is then sprayed onto the skin. The foundation used is still liquid, but comes out as a light mist. It feels like a cool breeze of air as it’s applied.
Airbrush machines come in several different forms. I use the one pictured below. This one is my very favorite, because unlike other devices, it is all hand-held, lightweight, and NO CORD! The kit I purchased comes with pretty much every shade of foundation under the sun, but the bottles are extremely tiny, which is why I charge slightly more for airbrush.
Meanwhile, needless to say, traditional is just your normal way of applying foundation- with a brush.
Which Way is Better and Why?
There is actually no direct answer to this question! It is all a matter of preference! But I will give you all the details on the finish, the feel, and performance of both applications so that you can decide for yourself which is the best option for you!
I describe airbrush as a light veil over your skin. And while you can do a couple layers of airbrush, it is not quite as build-able as regular makeup. It is also VERY important not to touch your face for several minutes after application, as the foundation remains wet for awhile and is very easy to smudge until it is dry.
Some people prefer airbrush because it truly can look flawless, almost as if your skin has been professionally digitally edited. However, airbrush is very prone to clinging to dry spots and looking cakey in those areas, so to achieve that flawless look, it is SO important as a client to EXFOLIATE your skin to get rid of any flaky patches, and then MOISTURIZE afterward. The smoother and more even your skin is, the better canvas it will be for your makeup!
As for traditional application, I personally find it easier to do color correcting and concealing with this method. It is also somewhat easier to mix colors to get the perfect shade, and it’s very build-able to get the amount of coverage the client wants. Possible cons would include that some fear their makeup will look cakey or streaky when applied with a brush, or simply feel too heavy. I can personally guarantee that I will never make you look cakey or streaky (I promise!) BUT I totally understand that traditional makeup just feels too heavy for some people! Especially those of you ladies who go natural and are not at all used to having anything on your skin.
To Sum Up!
To put it simply, here are my own personal thoughts on each method.
Airbrush is good for…
- -Flawless finish
- -Lightweight feel
- -Those who have a fairly even-textured complexion
- -Those who want to try something new for their next special event! After all, most of us don’t have an airbrush machine of our own. Treat yo-self.
Traditional is good for…
- -Those in need of color correction
- -Build-able level of coverage
- -No wait time for drying
I hope this helped to answer some of your top questions of airbrush vs. traditional application! If you have a question I didn’t cover, let me know and I would be happy to do so!
