Airbush Makeup versus Regular Application: A Makeup Artists Perspective

A ‘perfect’ canvas is essential for standout makeup looks. And if like most humans you’re skin is not naturally perfect, then a flawless base makeup is the next best thing. SO – how do you really achieve this elusive perfection? There’s plenty of makeup hype around the world wide web these days, millions of makeup artists dishing out advice – some useful, some not so. Over the past 5 or more years, there has been a lot of excitement around airbrush makeup. And I have lots of people asking me ‘what’s the difference between airbrush makeup and normal makeup’ and ‘is airbrush makeup the only way to go now?’. So with that said, let me offer you a little honest nidustry know-how to help you decide whether to go for airbrush makeup or not.

Airbrush Makeup versus Beauty Blender Application

Airbrush makeup

Airbrush Makeup Gun

I’ll be straight up, I use traditional application although I’m not anti-airbrush. I LOVE the Beauty Blender (or anything similar) but then I’ve also got a lot of talented friends in the industry who use airbrush and do a beautiful job. So I’m not here to convince you that my way is better, I just want you to have all the facts.

How is Airbrush Makeup Different?

It’s all in the application. The makeup is dispersed from an airbrush gun. If you’ve never seen one, I’d like to say it’s pretty similar to any other airbrush paint gun, just smaller, and specialised for makeup. It has an air compressor and well, just like the airbrush a house painter uses sprays out the product – hopefully in a nice light mist. The gun uses only thin foundations, often brands sell special airbrush formulas (which are thin, usually water based) but you don’t need an airbrush to use these products and many brands sell the same formula in airbrush bottles and pump bottles (same product different packaging).

Will Airbrush Makeup Last Longer?

No, there’s no difference in longevity. If you think about the science of makeup, all that you’re changing is the application method. The process of application can’t change the staying power of the product. Sure the product is often on which is a little thinner, to allow it go through the gun. This can sometimes be what people are referring to when they say that it ‘lasts longer’. However, this feature of these foundations is not exclusive to airbrush foundations. As evidence of this, many brands sell a silicon liquid you can use to thin out a regular foundation to put it through the gun – in which case you are taking a foundation which is designed for sponge use and adapting it to put it on with a gun. Plus if the airbrush product is truly fabulous, you can buy it and use it in a traditional application anyway. Most airbrush artists then set the foundation with a powder, just like you would in traditional methods. It’s this setting powder which further helps the foundation last. When makeup doesn’t last on your skin it’s because you have oily skin or the product is just poor quality. Given you can use the same products in the airbrush guns as without, there is no logical reason it would last any longer.

Beauty blender versus airbrush makeup

The Beauty Blender

Why do People Prefer Airbrush Makeup?

After hearing all this information, the next question I tend to get is ‘then why do people say airbrush is better?’. As with a lot of beauty industry innovationg: People love a ‘new’ thing and so airbrush gets talked about a lot because its relatively new. Plus there are some clients who have airbrush done and find the finish was truely flawless, hopefully you’re realising now though that in reality it wasn’t the airbrush gun which made the finish flawless but rather the skills of the artist using the gun. In the right hands airbrush technique makes the foundation application flawless. But, the caveat here is that same logic applies to all makeup techniques. A traditional sponge method in the right hands – or a mineral powder method for matter – will look equally flawless. And yes, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in the wrong hands, airbrush can look cakey too. I’ve seen it go both ways. For me personally, I love my Beauty Blender because I like the control it gives me. I love to press the foundation into the skin, and build with a range of colours (I do my contouring with foundation and cream blush). Of course you can do that with a gun too, it just takes more time to switch between colours.

But SURELY Vanessa, airbrush has to better, everyone is raving about it! ?

All I can say is that on average, new upcoming makeup artists have a better chance of getting a flawless foundation with an airbrush gun, so a lot of people entering the industry go straight to the airbrush technique, hence you hear a lot about it. The airbrush gun offers a quick and effective method for getting flawless medium coverage. But skills are skills, whether you use an airbrush gun, a beauty blender or a mineral makeup, a good makeup artist will give you a flawless look and can build from light to heavy coverage as needed.

Plus, remember that everyone loves to be ‘in the know’ – keeping up with all the trends, – so you’re naturally going to get lots of excitement around such a unique change to the industry. Nevertheless, there are as many makeup artists out there – like me 🙂 ! – using traditional methods to wow their clients, as there are people with airbrush guns.

But, should I go with airbrush makeup just to be sure?

The takeaway message here is to choose your makeup artists based on her portfolio, customer reviews and fit with your taste. Once you have found someone who does a standout job, and whose style you particularly like, then entrust them to do their magic whichever way they see as best.

Perfect Blended Eye Shadow: As easy as 1, 2, 3

How do makeup artists create the perfect eye shadow?

There are hundreds of ways to create eye shadow. Each technique has its own purpose whether that be to create a natural look, a smokey look, a youthful look or to do some dramatic eyes. And each different technique might be more or less suited to you eye shape or your personal style.

Consider the following a good go-to technique, its very forgiving (so a good one to start

The first thing you need to realise about ‘style’.

Shoes are my favourite outlet for self expression but you could start with hair accessories or small peices of jewlery.

Did you know your clothes are always talking? You can’t hear them because you’re not listening, or your busy listening to everybody else’s clothes.  We  all know the fun of people watching comes down to phyco analysing passers by, based on their wardrobe choices. Sure we do it for a giggle, but did you ever stop to consider how close to the truth those insights might be? Every choice you make about your clothes, you do as a form of self-expression even if it comes down to putting very little effort in at all – that’s your way of saying ‘I don’t conform to fashion” and maybe that’s the way you felt on one particular day or perhaps that’s an ongoing look for you. I don’t believe fashion (by definition) is for everyone. I do believe an outfit speaks a thousand words.

Personally, my clothes say that I’m confused! I can’t work out if I want to be a fairy or an entrepreneur. Luckily, as women, we have intuition on our side that says ‘don’t wear tulle to work!’…. so I’m safe there.  And I do love my business clothes. I love my tailored high waist skirt, corporate up-do and I love to secretly imagine myself as a 1940’s power woman. I choose to wear corporate clothes in a corporate world because I want my outfit to proclaim.. “I’m a successful young business women.” And that’s just the tip of the ice burge; I have many different personalities and styles to match. Your clothes – your style – is telling your story, why not embrace it!

Whether you’re a sexy girl, or a reserved girl, a glamour puss or a natural girl next door, showing you put a little effort into the way you look, says that you take pride in being you. Women that feel they’re lack of effort shows they value inner beauty really have things all mixed about. Inner beauty could, and should, be one of the first things people see from you.

So how can you achieve the perfect look to reflect your perfect self?

Imagine yourself at a cocktail party with me. If you told me I looked great, and I said “Oh gosh, thankyou, I spent hours trying to get my hair to look this good”! What would you think? You’d probably think, “Oh thank goodness, I was starting to think I had no style but really I just have no time”. You look at other women and get disheartened because they seem to do it with such ease.  And yet that’s just not true.

Here’s the secret I want you to remember. Personal style isn’t as easy as some women make it look. Sure, most stylish women down play their effort by saying things like “oh, this old thing, I just threw it on last minute”.  That’s not true! And in the rare cases that it is true, it’s a result of years of practice.

You don’t have to have natural instincts for style, you just have to be consistent with a little effort here and there until you build up your tool box of tricks. And the pay off is, you’ll feel great. That inner beauty that you cherish will be available for everyone to see. You’ll feel like the elegant, feminine or creative women that you are.

Listen to your clothes and wear their personality proudly. People are drawn to genuine self confidence so if you feel great and your outfit says ‘Hey, I’m sexy and I love it” then others will love it too.

This is my latest mood board (made in photoshop) from different pics I found - courtesy of google - it helps me to feel out my taste and re-discover what look I love. Think of it as a visual representation of your inner personality. You can make one for yourself from magazine cut-outs. just like a vision board, mood boards help you to discover what you really love and stay focused on it when you're practicing new looks. You'll learn a lot about your style, try it!

What does make-up have to do with beauty anyway?

Did you see my mum on Farmer wants a wife? How beautiful she is. She’s a loveable person and a looker too!

I truly believe that beauty shines from the inside. Call it cheesy if you like – and then look around at all your friends and family. Who do you adore most? What do you find attractive about them? Do you know someone who seems more beautiful the longer you know them? And what does it all have to do with makeup?

Often the reason we turn to makeup is to make our eyes bigger, our skin clearer or our cheeks rosier; and yet, years of experience has taught me that the most powerful thing makeup can do is make you feel better about yourself.  And that is the number one reason I love being a makeup artist.

Laura and Mum

Mum and my big sis Laura

 

I recently started teaching makeup to ladies of all ages, and I realised we’re actually all trying to improve the reflection in the mirror. That’s what makeup does for you. Once you can look at your own reflection and feel good about yourself, you can do anything.  

So how did mum get on Farmer Wants a Wife? Well, she recruited my help of course! We know the power of first impressions, so, we flicked her hair a little to show off her cheekbones, defined her bright blue eyes and kept her styling nice and natural to show farmer john how down to earth she is.

And at the end of the day, the first thing I noticed when I saw her on tele, was how beautifully comfortable she is in her own skin. Sure she doesn’t feel that way everyday, no woman does! That’s why the egyptions invented mascara! (That, and to ward of evil spirits).   

Next time you see someone looking gorgeous tell them so! Maybe they don’t realise it today.

Mum, you did your daughters proud.

Speak to you soon

Nessi

 

Me, Mum, Laura and Auds

Me, Mum, Laura and Auds