Brett Dorrian Artistry Studios: How Airbrush Foundation Can Create Skin That Looks Like Skin- and Lasts All Day

A Clean Beauty Makeup Application with Integrated Airbrush Foundation

As a professional makeup artist, I started offering airbrush services to clients several years ago- when the trend was really becoming more popular. Brides especially requested airbrush services because they heard it was totally the way to go for long wedding days and making sure the makeup stayed on. And they were right on- airbrush makeup is a great tool to help with longevity and making foundation more water resistant. It also helps with discoloration and texture issues (i.e. scar cover, acne cover, and tattoo cover).

There are different formulations of airbrush makeup that are meant for different skin types, coverage, and parts of the body (i.e. face vs. body painting). Your artist should be able to make a good decision about what route to go based on your needs if you inquire about hiring airbrush services.

A "Before" Picture with No Makeup On

There is definitely a split among clients who have had airbrush makeup done before: they either LOVE it, or they HATE it. Whatever their opinion is of it, they've decided it's the airbrush makeup they like or loathe. But, it really comes down to the talent and approach of the artist. The airbrush foundation and equipment is just one more tool in our arsenal of options to create makeup designs. It's just like anything in makeup- you can hand two artists the same brush and same purple eyeshadow, and they'll create two different eye designs based on talent, experience, and approach/style. The same is true for airbrush makeup.

Left Side: No Correction | Right Side: Traditional Cream Neutralizers and Correction Only

I am a big proponent of doing sheer color correction in traditional cream bases and neutralizers BEFORE going in with airbrush makeup. I base my style in color theory. What that means is that I like to do my underpainting and correction first. Otherwise, you would just have to spray a tremendous amount of airbrush makeup on the face to cancel out the discoloration issues (that everyone has to some degree in their skin).

Left Side: Too Many Layers of Airbrush Makeup | Right Side: Sheer Correction with Sheer Airbrush (My Approach)

If you look at this picture closely, you can see that the left side (too many layers of airbrush only) is dull and actually pulls out texture in the skin, making it look older and more tired than it actually is. Doing too many layers of airbrush to cover blemishes and discoloration is overkill. That will create more clients that hate airbrush makeup. But, when you embrace color theory, do your correction, and then add airbrush in as a step that works congruently with your other foundation steps, it's a winning combination.

Personally, I choose to only use airbrush for foundation, scar cover, acne cover, tattoo cover, and injury cover. I do not prefer to airbrush eyebrows and eyeshadow. I like to still build designs traditionally with a brush in my hand to create my signature style for clients for brows, eyes, cheeks, and lips.

If you're thinking about choosing airbrush foundation for your makeup service, here are 5 questions you should ask your artist:

1. Do you do concealer and color correction before airbrush, or airbrush only?

2. Do you use water-based or silicone-based airbrush makeup and why?

3. How long have you been airbrushing?

4. Do you have back-up equipment in case something goes wrong with the compressor or airbrush gun?

5. Would you recommend that do airbrush foundation and why?

*Anyone experienced will know these answers and will be happy to help educate you about the "what" and "why" of airbrushing

We include airbrush foundation with all of our bridal makeup packages since it really does create a perfect, glowing skin that still looks like skin- when used well.

Here are some examples of before/after snapshots showing varying degrees of natural and glam designs.