With far fewer tools than a traditional makeup application, airbrush makeup artists really only need their compressor, their airbrush gun, and a wide range of liquid makeup designed specifically for airbrushing. This might be a little foreign to you, but it’s actually quite a big hit in the bridal makeup industry.
If you’re used to doing makeup the traditional way (using brushes, sponges, and sometimes your own fingers), looking into airbrush makeup might be daunting. But many brides are insistent: they’ve heard the rave reviews, and they want their bridal makeup airbrushed! Branching out into airbrush makeup can open your business up to tons of new clients.
Just because you’re in love with airbrushing, though, doesn’t meant that airbrush makeup is always the best choice. When it comes to bridal makeup, that’s the ultimate question: to airbrush or not to airbrush?
What’s the big deal?
It might read like just glorified liquid makeup, but the formula for airbrush makeup is far different than traditional liquid foundations you find at your local drugstore. The liquid makeup is dropped into the compressor and is then expelled from the airbrush gun as a fine mist. The mist is adjustable so the output can change whether you want super light coverage or need something more buildable. The mist provides even coverage for a diffused look that won’t look too cakey and will feel virtually weightless on your bridal client. It’s no wonder that airbrushing has taken the world by storm!
Airbrushing myths:
- Airbrushing = flawless complexion. The “airbrushing” we often hearing about when looking at models on magazine covers refers to the Photoshop technique. This is often confused with airbrush makeup, and misleads people into thinking that airbrush makeup is out-of-reach for the average bride. It simply isn’t even the same thing!
- Not all airbrush makeup is waterproof. While some brands do produce waterproof formulas for their makeup, it really depends on what your bridal client wants.
- Airbrush makeup is only for special occasions. Airbrush makeup definitely does not have restrictions for when you can wear it, but as a makeup artist you’ll probably charge a little more for the service. This can convince clients that it’s just meant for those special days—like their wedding day!
- It will make your face look flat. A lot of airbrush makeup will dry matte, but it doesn’t mean that it will be drying or too flat. It all depends on the tools in your arsenal. You can easily avoid that “flat” look by adding in a couple drops of a spray moisturizer formula into the foundation—or just finish the look with some good highlighting to add dimension.
Pros & Cons
We’ve already mentioned some of the pros and cons of airbrush makeup above, but here are some quick pros and cons for the on-the-go bride. Share this chart with your bridal clients to help them make the big decision!
What’s usually preferred?
The preference belongs to the bride, but brides should also take into consideration the expert—that’s you! Let your bridal client know the pros and cons before she makes her decision. If she’s on the fence, make sure to do an airbrush trial before the big day so she can see how it looks, wears, and feels.
If your bride is truly in love with the flawless look of airbrush but has some imperfections on her face, you can still use airbrush makeup! The key is to either use airbrushing for the foundation layer and then apply traditional makeup on top, or use traditional formulas underneath and do a final mist of airbrush makeup on top to even everything out.
