When I started doing makeup, “airbrush makeup” was always on my wishlist. I was “taught” by my mom that the bacterias can be delivered to my blood through the pores and eat me up from the inside. The reason for her harsh reminder is because I repeatedly used my long-time-no-wash sponges to do makeup. I do wash them, but it is not as frequent as before due to other prioritized jobs. Plus, I am a slack girl; I prefer something which can get my makeup done in the fastest way, but it is still flawless for a whole day.
Eventually, I found out the best airbrush makeup kit for myself. If you ask whether it’s worth the investment or not, please follow up till the end of this post; you will have the answer for yourself.
What Is Airbrush Makeup? Is It Right For Me?
Airbrush makeup, simply speaking, is a kind of makeup where a makeup airbrush gun is used instead of brushes and sponges. The makeup is supplied onto your face when the makeup airbrush machine is loaded with airbrush cosmetics, and the compressed air disperses those liquid colors in a fine mist. Compared to the traditional makeup, this phenomenon has significant merits that makes professional makeup artists and makeup lovers crave it.
“Is it right for me?” - The answer is yes, regardless of who you are. I was first skeptical and hesitant to go for the spray on makeup since I hate air blowing to my face. Yet, it was mind-blowing for me to realize how flawless my makeup was when it was done by the professional airbrush makeup kit. It is right for everyone with every skin type, especially if:
Your regular makeup barely stays on your face for long hours.
Your skin is already good, and you just need a little primping.
You wish to have a younger look.
How To Choose The Best Airbrush Makeup?
To choose the best one, especially for the beginners, there are some points for you to rely on:
Airbrush foundations:
There are 3 common types of airbrush foundation for your choice. It depends on what skin type is. Let me share with you briefly about their pros and cons:
Silicone-based Airbrush Foundation
This type is the best airbrush foundation assuring your makeup to last for more than 12 hours compared to other types. Everybody can go for the silicone-based airbrush foundation if it is well-primed, exfoliated, and moisturized. Color-wise, it is specially formulated to cover hyperpigmentation. Although the consistency is heavier than other air spray makeup foundations, your skin is still breathable with a poreless canvas. Plus, it excels at water-, sweat- or smudge-resistance more than the other foundations.
Water-based Airbrush Foundation
You will recognize that this type is the most common one when it comes to airbrush cosmetics. It is easy to wear and fairly forgiving the beginners. Since it is water-based, it dries out faster than the other spray on makeup application as well. It is formulated to create a long-lasting matte finish without any cakey, flaky feeling.
Its water- or sweat-proof is not as great as silicone-based one; blocking your makeup by a finish powder or setting spray is the best protection.
Alcohol-based airbrush foundation
This type of airbrush foundation is not as common as the others since it can dry out our skin. However, alcohol-based air spray makeup foundation is mostly used in movie-making, body paintings, and tattoo or body mark covering thanks to its unimaginable durability.
Airbrush makeup kit:
Besides choosing the cosmetics kit, the makeup airbrush guns also come with many styles and designs for your choice. Their main differences are about cord or without cord, single- or dual-action, etc. To choose your own airbrush makeup kit, your hand must feel comfortable and easy when holding it. Let’s pick the one fitting your hand most.
Affordability:
Frankly, most airbrush makeup systems will hurt your pocket. That is the reason why I mentioned it is an investment. Wait, I am here for you, dears. I am not that rich to afford all sought-after makeup airbrush machines, but I can share with you my experiences with both expensive and cheap spray on makeup kits.
That’s all, shall we go shopping now?
AIRBRUSH MAKEUP HEAVEN: WHERE YOU CAN FIND A GOOD AIRBRUSH MAKEUP KIT WITHOUT DOUBT
As mentioned, air spray makeup has been more common to everyone due to its ability to create the flawless coverage. Drugstores, high-end cosmetics stores, or e-commerce retailers are where to buy airbrush makeup. Since you are new to it, you might not know where to start. Let me feed you some best options. Let’s get started!
1. BEST AIRBRUSH MAKEUP BRAND & BEST AIRBRUSH FOUNDATION- TEMPTU Air Airbrush Starter Kit: Cordless Professional At-Home Airbrush Makeup Travel-Friendly Anti-Aging, Long-Wear, Buildable Foundation For Healthy Skin 24 shades
Temptu is the first best airbrush makeup brand that I cannot wait to share with you. For me, it has probably the best airbrush foundation. I was intimidated to spend that much money on this cordless airbrush kit since I am down to its durability and troubleshooting. I think some of you can relate to me.
It’s designed like a pod coffee machine; I experience no difficulties while using it. It does not take much time to get the gun fully charged. This rechargeable kit is travel-friendly, and it insanely lasts up to 4 hours. There are 3 pressure levels for different applications, and when you pull the soft trigger back, there are indicators showing you are doing light or heavy spray.
For foundation, I choose color 3.5 - Olive Nude. Its formula perfectly blurs out my blemishes and slows down the water loss. I can stop at the second pass with the light spray to have medium coverage. I feel satisfied when my girls' curiosity is piqued about what I am wearing for my makeup, but it is too skin-like to figure it out. One of its best things is oil-controlling. My makeup at the end of the day still looks excellently lightweight, natural without grease.
Pros
No loud noise
Perfect natural look
Long-wear without mess
No touch-up needed
Oil-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free
Cons
Mist sometimes comes out speckles
Expensive but it’s worth investing
Good for:
This is the best airbrush foundation for all skin types and conditions. If you are not confident to let silicone-based foundation stand alone, water- or silicone-based primer are highly recommended.
2. BEST AIRBRUSH MAKEUP BRAND & TOP RATED MAKEUP KIT - Art of Air Professional Airbrush Cosmetic Makeup System/Fair to Medium Shades 6pc Foundation Set with Blush, Bronzer, Shimmer and Primer Makeup Airbrush Kit
Another one brand that I fell for is Art of Air airbrush. It includes 6 shades for fair and medium airbrush foundation coming along with a blush, a bronzer, a shimmer, a primer, and a cleaning solution. Obviously, what I need to get ready is doing nothing.
The white airbrush compressor is well-designed with 4 rubber legs for slipping free and a stylus holder attached durably. The air hose is long enough not to let your crouch in the corner. There is a volume control knob for you to adjust the coverage, which is better than having only 3 levels to go for. Better, the gravity feed design of my makeup airbrush gun does not require many drops; my foundation can last up to 3 months if I wear it daily.
Thanks to a wide foundation range, I have done many mixing experiments with different ratios to get a skin-line color foundation. The water-based primer is infused with tea tree oil, which is a pimple-fighting holy grail for all skin types. The foundation is lightweight, but I need more than 6 drops to get my dark circles and sunspots to fully blur out. For the blush, bronzer, and shimmer, I find them highly pigmented; to start with the lowest air pressure and relaxing wrist will be safe for your makeup.
Pros
Wide foundation range is for mixing experiment
A forgiving kit for the beginners but also great for makeup freelancers
Good for daily use
Portable and quiet compressor
Affordable price
Good primer
Long-lasting
Cons
Somehow I need more drops for my foundation
Good for:
This spray on makeup kit is good for all types of skin and fair to medium undertones. A tip for dry skin is to apply moisturizer to assuredly keep your skin hydrated.
3. BEST PROFESSIONAL AIRBRUSH MAKEUP KIT - Art of Air FAIR Complexion Professional Airbrush Cosmetic Makeup System / 4pc Foundation Set with Blush, Bronzer, Shimmer and Primer Makeup Airbrush Kit
The second kit from the Art of Air airbrush that I got is FAIR Complexion Professional Airbrush. It includes 4 shades for light skin tone’s foundation, and the same extra items are provided.
Starting off with choosing and mixing shades, Movie Star and Buff Beige are my choices since I want to test how likely magazine-cover my makeup can be. Eventually, I found out that having a silicone-based primer helps my spray on makeup more evenly and naturally. I only need one pass to get my desirable coverage. If you are not allergic to silicone, you should give it a go.
Pros
Wide foundation range is for mixing experiment
A forgiving kit for the beginners but also great for makeup freelancers
Good for daily use
Portable and quiet compressor
Affordable price
Good primer
Long-lasting
Cons
Silicone-based primer or hybrid primer should be replaced to enhance the foundation effectiveness.
Good for:
This airbrush cosmetics kit is meant for light skin tones. This is also friendly with medium-tone people, and Golden Tan and Buff Beige with a 1:2 ratio highly recommended.
4. BEST AIRBRUSH MAKEUP BRAND & SYSTEM - Belloccio Professional Beauty Airbrush Cosmetic Makeup System with 4 Medium Shades of Foundation in 1/4 Ounce Bottles - Kit Includes Blush, Bronzer and Highlighters
It would be a huge mistake not to name Belloccio Professional Beauty Airbrush kit here. This top rated airbrush makeup kit is the best value one that I have ever bought. The airbrush cosmetic kit comes with 4 medium-shade foundations, a blush, a bronzer, highlighters, and gift items. Speaking of, a setting spray and cleaning solution are included to take care of the last steps of your spray on makeup.
On the compressor, there are 3 levels for airflow pressure. In brief,
High setting is for primer, tanning, and cleaning
Medium setting is for light sheer foundation, bronzers, blushes, and highlighters.
Light setting is for very light sheer foundation and concealers.
For makeup, I actually do not need to refill; 2 drops for primer, 4 drops for foundation, and 1 drop for the remaining step is what I do. The Belloccio anti-aging primer is quite odd for me; it keeps my skin too hydrated to feel comfortable. For the foundation, my tip is to do mixing directly in the ink cup in case you need more than a shade. The spray one makeup is truly sheer, but it does blur out my blemishes and fine lines. The finish lasts acceptably, and there is no cakey or dry feeling impressingly.
Pros
Good coverage
Setting pray is included
Long-lasting
Paraben- and fragrance-free
Cons
Overly-hydrating primer
Dimethicone is included (it is not bad, but FYI if you have allergy to it)
Good for:
This airbrush makeup kit is totally meant for all skin types if your skin is well-primed with a moisturizer and primer. For those who are new to airbrushing, the kit’s value will not hurt your pocket much.
5. BEST CHEAP AIRBRUSH MAKEUP KIT - Airbrush Makeup Set Pinkiou Air Brush Kit for Face Paint with Mini Compressor 0.4mm Needle and Nozzle Nail Body Paint SP16 (RED)
For the title “The best cheap airbrush makeup kit”, Pinkiou is the most deserving one. The pink vibration-free compressor is well-equipped with 4 rubber legs and a soft plastic stylus-holder. A 1.5-meter air hose is absolutely a big human-pleaser. An ultra-lightweight stylus is made of copper, which is beyond my expectation. Specially, this airbrush makeup system is programmed to cut off and reset automatically when it is about to overheat.
For versatility, by providing the 3-level paint flow pressure, it creates accurate atomization for cookie decoration, nail art, tattoo painting, and even cosplay. Makeup-wise, each type of airbrush foundation works with different settings; it might take for some trials. Plus, you will be mind-blown since drawing winged eyeliners are even easier than ever with a stencil support.
Frankly, I respect how conscientious this brand is to create a good quality airbrush makeup kit at the affordable price.
Pros
Cheap but good quality product
Ideal for the professionals, normal users, and the beginners.
Paint flow pressure is adjusted easily
Effective warning system
Cons
The rubber cord connected between the air compressor and stylus seems fragile.
Good for:
This professional airbrush makeup kit would be a great gift for everyone. The starters are highly recommended to practice with this airbrush makeup kit.
6. BEST CHEAP AIRBRUSH MAKEUP KIT - Cordless Airbrush, Airbrush Kit, Portable Handheld Airbrush Gun for Makeup, Cake Decoration, Model Coloring, Manicure, Tattoo, Art Drawing
The following versatile baby is Ylingsu cordless airbrush makeup machine. The lightweight metallic design enchants me so much. The ink cup is well-designed to spare more fluid. To charge this single-action makeup airbrush gun is similar to how I charge my phone, and the fully-charged battery can last 30 to 50 minutes. However, it would give extra protection if there is a charge port cover.
By featuring 17 PSI, I find it complicated to go for small details. Plus, the design is not forgiving for the beginners to adjust the knob for paint flow simultaneously while pressing the trigger. Since it only excels at full coverage and shading, makeup foundation seems a single job I can do with this airbrush. Silicone- and water-based airbrush foundations are fine for this airbrush makeup system.
Pros
Quiet sound
Lefty-friendly
Travel-friendly.
Cons
Not worth for a single benefit of even coverage
High PSI - hard to achieve fine details
Time-consuming for detailed paintings.
Good for:
This cheap airbrush makeup kit is a good option for those who want to try with both silicone- and water-based airbrush foundations.
7. BEST AIRBRUSH MAKEUP BRAND - Luminess Air Basic Airbrush System with 7-Piece Silk 4-IN-1 Airbrush Foundation & Cosmetic Starter Kit, Medium
The last one on this list the Luminess. This spray on makeup kit comes with a fancy rose gold color stylus and air compressor, which impressed me that the kit’s quality would not be bad. A 1.2-meter hose allows you not to stand very close to the outlet. For a starter kit, there are 4 water-based airbrush foundations, including shade 3,4,5, and 6, a moisturizing primer, a blush, and an illuminator. Interestingly, I get a no-spill cap without paying extra.
I started off mixing shade 3, shade 4, and moisturizing primer with different ratios, and luckily I got my own formula, which is 3:2:1 (drops), respectively. I partnered with my own primer to feel more secure since moisturizing primer seems unfit for my oily skin. Although the airbrush foundation is buildable, it is too thin to cover discoloration. Plus, my face was tight, and the finish was not natural when my 4th attempt was done. After7 hours, I noticed the makeup broke apart in my T-zone. The soft rose blush is slightly pink, which cooperates well with bronzer and highlighter. The illuminator is a true game-changer to make my makeup on fleek.
Pros
Quite sound
Compact and lightweight design which is travel-friendly
Quick dry
Matte but natural finish look
Ultra-low PSI (10) for more precise application
Cons
Little coverage to cover facial aging signs and severe hyperpigmentation
Not long-lasting
Nozzles get clogged frequently
Run out too fast
Good for:
Although water-based foundation is meant for oily and mature skin, I will give another chance for a better product.
Traditional Makeup And Airbrush Makeup: Which Is Better?
This is the most common and frequently-asked question when it comes to airbrush makeup. To make it precise, let’s make a comparison!
Which one is more time saving?
Most people think the traditional makeup is more time saving. It is the answer of those who have never done or experienced airbrush makeup. When your wrist is trained to master all basic makeup skills and your foundation mixing ratio is set, it takes you less than 5 minutes to get ready.
Which one can stay longer?
To build a good coverage that can last for a whole day without touching up is the main purpose of airbrush makeup. It is because the spray on makeup creates a veil to allow every pore or fine lines on your face covered with even makeup layers. Moreover, since there is no brush or hand contact on your skin, your makeup will bear no impact to smudge.
Which one can make a better flawless finish?
From my personal experience, I can say both traditional and airbrush makeup can create a flawless finish. I am here to share with you the truth and not to praise any kind of makeup.
To have a flawless, skin-like finish, the essence is your base must be flawless first. If your dry skin is not exfoliated and moisturized properly or your oily skin with enlarged pores is not primed first, airbrush makeup also delivers no flawless finish.
Which one is more affordable?
The answer depends on your preference and financial status. For the airbrush makeup, at first, you will find it costly unimaginably. If you break the A-Z airbrush makeup kit down, obviously, its value outweighs the price. Moreover, there are some brands coming with refillable options as well. The most significant benefit returned from the airbrush makeup investment is how likely you are more confident, satisfied with how you look.
FAQs
Can I use regular liquid foundations for airbrush machines? If yes, what should I do?
The answer is yes, but it is not ready-to-use. The airbrush foundation is not as thick as the regular one; therefore, your job is to thin the regular foundation. There are 2 thinner products for your options: moisturizer and water. You should take heed of the viscosity of the airbrush foundation working with your airbrush kit to create a similar one with the regular foundation.
What should I do to clean my airbrush if a cleaning solution is not included in the kit?
You can make it yourself. With a Q-tip, a swab tab, and alcohol 99%, you are ready to clean your airbrush gun. Let’s clean it daily. Same as your traditional makeup brush, it is a tool to deliver cosmetics to your face; hygiene is top prioritized.
For those with mature or textured skin, what is the best airbrush kit?
All airbrush makeup kits can work well with mature and textured skin, only if the following things are done:
Exfoliating your skin properly: The main cause of textured skin is the overly excessive dead skin. Applying moisturizer is a must in the post-exfoliation.
Applying primer and concealer: It is substantial to prep your skin with a primer for the sake of the poreless canvas regardless of any makeup types. Honestly, airbrush makeup blurs out blemishes, redness, and fine lines, but it cannot hide deep wrinkles or big acne bumps. To get a younger and fresher look, a concealer is the best tool to turn back the clock.
Why do my airbrush makeup smudge and last only a few hours?
It can be because of some following reasons:
Skin conditions: If you have an extreme oily-skin, your makeup is still smudged. However, airbrush makeup is far better in sweat-proof compared to the traditional one. If you experience that issue, finishing powder can soak up the excessive oil to sustain your glow for longer.
Your application is incorrect: You miss your primer, or the airbrush foundation is not right for your skin type.
Weather conditions: A rainy or humid day will attack your water-based foundation more\ easily than a silicone-based one. The solution is to apply a primer and block it with a setting spray.
Can I use different airbrush products from A brand with a B-brand’s airgun?
The answer is yes. Again, you have to check how similar their viscosity is. Importantly, you have to check whether your airbrush gun can work with that type of airbrush foundation or not. For example, Luminess nozzle’s size is .4 mm, which is able to let silicone-based airbrush foundation go through. However, it is easily clogged, mist is not that even as well.
Is airbrush makeup fine to draw eyeliners?
Yes, airbrushing is definitely perfect for eye makeup. Yet, it is challenging for the beginner. A stencil will be your good mate during practicing. Besides, there are some tips to work with your airbrush machine:
A gravity feed airbrush with a low PSI compressor is great to create the finest line.
Setting at the lowest level to get the minimum amount of paint.
The bottom line
Airbrush makeup is absolutely a game-changer. Honestly, I struggled to maintain a good distance with the circular hand motion for the entire makeup process. However, it, after I mastered, is the quickest way to get a flawless finish. Its durability is much better than the traditional makeup. Although the Temptu airbrush kit is costly, it is worth the investment. It can be seen that this brand has continuously improved and launched innovative products to emphasize that the airbrush makeup can be for everyone and possibly replaced by the traditional makeup. Personally, possessing a version of the Airpod gun is as fancy as how I get the latest iPhone version. I hope that my sharing about airbrush makeup helps you get the most suitable airbrush makeup kit. I believe that there are other airbrush makeup kits that I missed in this list; I’d appreciate listening to your experience with another spray one makeup. If you have problems with airbrush makeup applications, please do not hesitate to leave it in the comment box; I will together figure it out with you.