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When it comes to foundation, there are tons of different options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for light coverage, dark coverage, a matte finish, or a dewy finish, there’s a foundation for just about everyone. One of our favorite types of foundation, though, is without a doubt airbrush foundation.
Airbrush foundation is usually applied to the face using an actual airbrush tool which is electronic. The foundation is sprayed onto your face in a light mist that gives you a clear complexion, covering up pimples, fine lines, wrinkles, and more. However, airbrush foundations don’t always have to be applied through a tool, and below, we rounded up all of our top picks.
From an oil-free foundation to a foundation with SPF 20, we pulled together all of our favorite foundations that will leave your complexion with a gorgeous, airbrushed finish!
Detailing the Leading Airbrush Foundation in 2024
Jerome Alexander MagicMinerals Airbrush Foundation — Best Overall
This foundation is formulated with three key skincare ingredients – hyaluronic acid, Argireline, and Matrixyl 3000, which work together to nourish your skin while covering up your complexion. The formula is super hydrating, lightweight, and breathable, plus its sweat and water-resistant, so it stays on your skin all day long. Even better, it comes with a kabuki brush to blend in the makeup.
Pros
- It comes with a kabuki brush
Cons
- It’s only available in 8 shades
Art of Air Airbrush Makeup – Foundation — Runner Up
Perfect for sensitive skin, this foundation is oil-free, water-based, mineral-based, fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic, and is made without harsh preservatives. It won’t clog your pores and doesn’t leave you with a greasy finish. It’s available in 16 shades and is meant to be used in an airbrush, where it sprays out of the tool. You can use it alone if you don’t have an airbrush, but it may not come out as well.
Pros
- It’s oil-free and fragrance-free
Cons
- It doesn’t come with an airbrush
Luminess Air Airbrush Silk 4-in-1 Enhanced Foundation — Honorable Mention
Perfect for everyday use, this foundation is made with hydrolyzed silk threads that are super lightweight and elastic. It’s mineral-based, oil-free and hypoallergenic, which makes it great for sensitive skin, plus, it’s water-resistant and when used in an airbrush, it lasts for up to 18 hours without smudging. The breathable formula covers up imperfections, fine lines, and wrinkles without looking caked on.
Pros
- Made from hydrolyzed silk threads
Cons
- The bottle may leak
Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Effect Makeup — Contender
This is the perfect foundation for everyday use, as it’s lightweight and has SPF 20. It provides medium to full coverage without looking cakey, plus, it’s formulated with light-filtering technology that gives your skin a radiant glow. Even though the coverage is full, it’s breathable and airy, plus it’s available in seven shades. It completely covers up your pores, leaving your complexion clear and fresh.
Pros
- It has SPF 20
Cons
- It only comes in 7 shades
Belloccio's Professional Cosmetic Airbrush Makeup Foundation — Also Consider
When added to an airbrush, this foundation sprays onto the skin in a fine mist that leaves your complexion completely covered up. The makeup is available in 17 different shades which makes it easy to find the right color for your skin tone. The lightweight formula doesn’t clog your pores or leave your skin looking cakey. Even better, it’s paraben, oil, and fragrance-free, and is made in the USA.
Pros
- It’s paraben, oil, and fragrance-free
Cons
- It doesn’t come with an airbrush
Buying Guide: Airbrush Foundations
Airbrushing is the new way of applying makeup, and you can use them for both everyday occasions and formal occasions. If you want a quick makeup application process before going to university or you are looking forward to a full-face of glam makeup, an airbrush foundation is the way to go. There are multiple makeup kits available that contain a collection of airbrushing products, but some of these can be immensely expensive compared to the rest, so you need to make your pick wisely.
Airbrush Makeup vs Traditional Makeup
You would be wondering why you would paint your face with the airbrush when you have a traditional way of applying makeup. The thing is that airbrushing is not exactly painting, and it is somehow similar to traditional makeup in terms of a thin layer of an application. If you want a smooth and even coat of makeup, you should apply a thin layer with the airbrush and apply a little more on the areas you want to highlight, like cheekbones.
If it is your first time purchasing an airbrush, you may find it confusing because of the range of options available. Like traditional makeup, you need to find the airbrush foundation that best suits your needs. It comes in various sizes and shapes, so you need to consider how often you will use it and how you will use it.
What Comes in an Airbrush Makeup Kit?
Compressor unit
It is a tool that compresses air, and it has several pressure settings that successfully regulate the flow of your makeup. If you buy an airbrush with an advanced compressed unit, i.e., advanced pressure settings, it will be expensive. Hence, if you are a beginner, it is smart to go for a unit that has continuous settings.
Airbrush stylus
It is a tool that is used to spray on the makeup. There are two forms of airbrush stylus: single action or duel. A single-action stylus will require the applicator to push down the trigger to release the air and color. The amount of makeup sprayed on the user is controlled by the dial so that you can move closer or farther from your face.
On the other hand, a dual-action stylus is the most commonly used tool in the top airbrush foundations. When the user pushes down the trigger, air comes out of it, and the user can control the amount of color that reaches their face. In simple words, a dual-action stylus airbrush foundation gives more control to the user.
Bottle vs a gravity-fed airbrush
Airbrush makeup can come in the form of a bottle that you can directly use by connecting it with the airbrush. The second form is a gravity-fed airbrush in which makeup is added to a cup that mixes oxygen in it. The cup makes it easy for a person to use different types of makeup; they can use anything from a bronzer to a foundation in every color and style.
Selecting a Foundation
Mainly, there are three types of airbrush foundation, and you need to make sure that you choose the one that best suits your skin type and requirements. Hence, you must understand each one of them.
Alcohol-based
Alcohol-based airbrush foundation is not used often, but if you plan to use a foundation for a long duration, there is no better option than it. Experts have found that these types of foundations stay on for almost five days without fading. However, on a realistic approach, who would want to keep the makeup on for five days as it is not healthy. People with sensitive skin should avoid this type of foundation because alcohol can be harmful to their skin.
Silicone-based
Silicone-based airbrush foundation is highly popular amongst users because it blends smoothly with the skin. Hence, it is a perfect choice to hide imperfections and wrinkles. It also lasts for a long time. The best part is that when you apply any makeup to your skin, mostly your skin repels it due to moisture, but silicone-based foundations can break down into any skin. However, these foundations usually get darker after application, so you should always apply a little quantity on your wrist to check the shade before buying. Usually, people buy a shade lighter than their natural skin tone.
Water-based
If you want a matte finish for your makeup, then a water-based airbrush foundation is your way to go. Most celebrities prefer a matte finish, making their skin look flawless in front of the camera. Celebrities most use water-based airbrush foundation on TV. However, as you would have guessed by now, as the foundation is water-based, it means when the skin produces moisture like sweat or oil, the foundation dissolves with it. Furthermore, as it provides a matte finish, the final look of your skin will be way different than your natural look. Like a silicone-based airbrush foundation, water-based foundation also gets darker after application, so it is best to get it in a lighter shade.
Tips for Using an Airbrush Foundation
If you are a beginner, you might be tempted to apply a thick layer of the airbrush foundation to cover each flaw. However, it is a mistake to apply heavy makeup, so to apply a thin layer, you should not pull the trigger back while applying.
Similarly, makeup enthusiasts love to explore new techniques, and they would probably want to mix formulas and test new looks with the airbrush. However, it will create a disaster because the airbrush dries different formulas at different rates. Hence, to prevent streaky mess and uneven complexion, it is best to go with one formula at a time.
