If you’ve spent years trying to perfect your foundation application, only to keep encountering pesky lines, smudges, and blemishes, airbrush makeup should be your next experiment. While many people assume that it must be very modern, professional makeup artists have been spraying their cosmetics for many decades.
When applied with an application gun, in an extremely fine mist, the best airbrush foundation looks flawless and luminescent. This is because, instead of being roughly rubbed into the skin, the particles are allowed to form a seamless application just before they hit the pores. Coverage is perfectly even, which is why they call this ‘airbrush’ makeup.
When searching for the best airbrush foundation, you need to focus on shade, consistency, and longevity. Remember that you do need to pick up a high-quality spray gun as well. They are easily available and range in price from the cheap and cheerful to the super luxurious. We’ve put together our five favorite airbrush makeup kits so that you can try airbrush makeup for the first time with total confidence.
Best Airbrush Makeup Reviews
Ranking | Company | Qauntity | Consistency | Colors / Shades | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | 1.0 oz | Liquid | 12 Colors | ||
#2 | 1.15 oz | Liquid | 20 Colors | ||
#3 | 0.5 oz | Liquid | 19 Colors | ||
#4 | 1.0 oz | Liquid | 12 Colors | ||
#5 | 0.25 oz | Liquid | 12 Colors |
Many ladies have high expectations of Maybelline. It is a very popular brand, and there’s no shortage of people claiming that this is the best airbrush foundation on the market. Without wanting to over exaggerate, we think they might be right. Maybelline Dream Liquid Foundation has a gloriously silky texture.
It is lightweight and extremely smooth, but it applies almost like a second skin, as opposed to a cream. While it won’t cover up things like acne or other prominent blemishes (it is only a light to medium product), it is very effective when it comes to concealing little spots, marks, and patches of discolouration.
The end result is a slightly luminous matte finish, but it is better suited to normal and oily skin types. You can use this product if you have a very dry complexion, but it is a good idea to use a moisturizer first. This foundation comes with a pump applicator, so you can apply it with the fingers. If you want the professional effect, however, combine it with a spray gun applicator.
What We Liked
- Super lightweight consistency
- Can be applied with fingers or gun
- Great for covering minor blemishes
- Flawless, even coverage (no lines or cracks)
Not Crazy About
- Doesn’t cover acne/bigger blemishes
- No shades for darker skin
- Can dehydrate dry skin types
Dinair was actually the first retailer to bring airbrush guns and makeup to the commercial market. Before this, they were used only by the TV and film industries. So, it’s fair to expect big things from this brand. The Dinair airbrush makeup kit is one of the longer lasting products out there.
When applied correctly, it stays on the skin without smudging or slipping for a remarkable eighteen hours. It is a great choice for ladies with busy schedules who can’t afford to be reapplying their foundation every couple of hours. The coverage is lightweight, but it looks much heavier after application.
This means that you need to be careful not to over spray. You only need a little of this foundation to create a smooth, blemish free complexion. Some customers have talked about the shades being a little awkward (hard to find a good match), but you do have the option to mix two different colors if your ideal tone is not stocked.
What We Liked
- Extremely long lasting (18 hours)
- Lightweight but very powerful
- Only have to use a small amount (good value)
- Can mix and match different shades
Not Crazy About
- Can be tricky to find a color match
- Not the best choice for mature skin
- Becomes sticky inside the gun (harder to clean)
The Art of Air is one of the biggest rivals for Dinair, so you might want to compare the two lines if you’re thinking about opting for one of these brands. This foundation creates an impeccable finish. It comes highly recommended for ladies with uneven skin or discolored patches. It is also a great choice for anybody who is sensitive about their rosy cheeks.
It blends and conceals inconsistencies in a very impressive manner. While it can look a little chalky if you over apply, the matte finish is generally flawless. This Art of Air Foundation is long lasting and easy to use. It is designed to be combined with a spray applicator, but you can use your fingertips too.
Unlike many other airbrush foundations, this product does do a good job of concealing more prominent marks and blemishes. So, if you have chronic acne, it is a good foundation to check out. The only downside is that it doesn’t stand up well in water. If you find yourself out in the rain, protect your face, or you’ll end up with streaky lines across your cheeks.
What We Liked
- Great at concealing acne/uneven patches
- Suitable for olive skin tones too
- Very long lasting in the right conditions
- Extremely high-quality pigment (great value)
Not Crazy About
- Can look chalky if over applied
- Not water resistant (hello streaks!)
- Thick consistency (makes gun harder to clean)
When shopping for the best airbrush foundation, you’ve got to consider a combination of big name and smaller brands, because it isn’t always the famous retailers who come out on top. It is safe to say that Revlon always delivers, however, and this PhotoReady Airbrush Makeup is no exception.
The first thing to notice is that the consistency seems to be pretty perfect. It isn’t too thick or cakey, like some brands, but it also isn’t so light that it feels like it’s going to slip right off your pores. It also contains very tiny particles of glitter. They are designed to create a slightly golden, luminous effect; kind of like what you get from shimmery powders.
This won’t sit well with everybody. In fact, this PhotoReady Makeup is probably better suited to younger ladies, as older women might not want a sparkly face. The coverage is light to medium, so it won’t cover serious acne, but it is good at blending imperfections and concealing small zits and marks. The result is very impressive, but it doesn’t last as long as other brands.
What We Liked
- Shimmery finish is great for parties
- Very effective at blending blemishes
- Ideal consistency (not too lightweight)
- Can usually be applied in a single layer
Not Crazy About
- Glittery particles not great for casual use (at work)
- Flawless coverage, may not last all day
- Feels tacky after application (for about half an hour)
If you’ve never tried airbrush makeup before, but you’re ready for a complete introduction, you can invest in a full kit or starter set. Temptu is one of the brands which sells its popular foundations in sets of twelve. The advantage of this is that you can mix and match the shades in the comfort of your own home.
The quality of these products is obvious from the moment that you open the box. The Total Skin Foundation Starter Kit is very impressive because it provides multi-day coverage. Yes, you can get away with recycling your foundation if you use this line. The disadvantage of this is that the makeup is very stubborn. You might even have trouble washing it off your hands.
This super longevity makes it ideal for wear in high humidity. If you live in a hot climate or you’re heading off on holiday, it is a wonderful choice. It can be tricky to get the hang of mixing shades at first, so do practice a little. Also, don’t try to clean your gun with water, because silicone solution will expand and stick to the insides.
What We Liked
- Great range of mix and match shades
- Incredible longevity (c1an last multiple days)
- Light to medium coverage for clear, luminous skin
- Resistant to heat, humidity, sweat, and tears
Not Crazy About
- Silicon base cannot be easily cleaned with water
- Has a tendency to block/clog the gun
- Can be tricky to wash off the skin
Quick Tips: How To Apply AirBrush Foundation Makeup
Getting used to applying foundation with a gun, instead of your fingertips or a sponge, is no easy feat. However, with a little patience and practice, it becomes a simple process. Once you’ve mastered it, there’s no going back, and you’ll wonder how you ever went without airbrush makeup. The first thing to remember is that your skin has to be clean and dry before every application. This is the same for regular foundation, so it’s no big surprise.
If you have dry skin, apply a non-greasy moisturizer immediately before you start your cosmetics routine. This will prevent the foundation from leeching moisture from these problem areas. Switch your compressor gun to the lowest setting if this is your first try. You can always work your way up to heavier applications once you feel comfortable with the technique. Shake the bottle and then add 6-10 drops of the foundation.
Holding the gun around 8-10 inches from the face, start moving in circular patterns. Keep a close eye on how many rotations you complete, because the two sides of your face must be evenly covered. It is always a good idea to hold back a little if you’re not sure whether how fast or heavy you’re covering your complexion. After all, it is much easier to add more foundation than it is to take it away.
Lots of ladies try airbrush guns and forget to include their neck and the underside of the face. Essentially, you’re just doing everything that you usually would (if applying with a sponge), so don’t disregard the blend in these important areas. Needless to say, you should keep your eyes firmly shut when passing the gun over your forehead. Also, be careful not to inhale any of the foundation mist as you apply.
Wrapping Up
We hope that this breakdown of the best airbrush foundations on the market has helped you learn a little more about spray applications. Even though airbrush cosmetics are a surprisingly old invention now, many ladies are yet to try them. The thing to remember is that they’re not as tricky as they look. All you need is half an hour of practice, and you’ll be spray applying your makeup like a Hollywood pro.
At a Glance: The Best Airbrush Foundation Makeup Products of 2017
The Maybelline Dream Liquid Airbrush Foundation provides the best coverage of all these products. It produces a salon quality finish which wouldn’t be out of place in a professional makeup studio.
If you’re looking for an airbrush foundation which lasts, try Dinair Glamour Natural Airbrush Foundation. It stays put for a remarkable eighteen hours, so it is perfect for ladies who don’t want to spend their life in front of the mirror.
The Art of Air Airbrush Makeup Foundation is very effective when it comes to blending uneven skin tones. It might not last as long as some other brands, but it is the recommended choice for those with discolouration or prominent acne.
For a glitzy, glamorous showstopper of a look, choose Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Effect Makeup. The tiny particles of glitter create a shimmery aesthetic which is great for parties.
Finally, if you want to dive headfirst into the world of airbrush makeup, invest in the Temptu Pro: Total Skin Foundation Starter Kit. It comes with twelve shades of foundation, so you can mix and match until you create the perfect color.