THE ART OF AIRBRUSH MAKEUP: A SMOOTH REVOLUTION IN BEAUTY

A brief history 

Did you know that Airbrushing was the great-great grandfather of Photoshop? Well, now you do. Airbrushing dates as far back as 1882, when Francis Edgar Stanley, a photographer, invented it to retouch pictures, naming it the “Stanley Air Brush”. The device was operated manually, through a hand-pump, which produced a fine spray. This invention was revolutionary: it allowed artists and photographers to improve the contrast of sharpness in pictures without major alterations to the original photography. The airbrush system emerged quickly into other industries, such as car painting, growing in popularity together with the cars. 

In the beauty industry, the airbrush is thought to have been used since the 1930s and one of the earliest and most popular productions was “Gone with the Wind”, by Monte Westmore. Many other famous Hollywood productions started adopting Airbrush makeup, such as 1959’s BenHur.  

Once the HD television emerged, Airbrush makeup became more and more demanded, as it absorbs more naturally on the skin and shows more flawless on the screen that traditional makeup. 

What is Airbrush makeup, actually? 

An airbrush machine consists of a compressor and an airbrush, which is used to apply face makeup, such as foundation, as well other makeup products. The engine behind an airbrush makeup machine is simple: the makeup is turned into small particles, which enable a smooth and even makeup application. Airbrushing is a popular makeup technique even in body painting and SFX makeup. 

What are the advantages of Airbrush Makeup? 

1. It offers a perfectly smooth finish! Applying your foundation with an airbrush not only makes the skin look smoother but it also covers imperfections flawlessly. Additionally, thanks to its formula that easily blends into the skin, it will also look more natural. 

2. It is long lasting! Since airbrush makeup is especially used for makeup that needs to resist more extreme conditions. This implies water, sweat or tears and is mainly used in photoshoots or movie sets, so it is longer lasting.  

3. It is buildable and customizable! Airbrush makeup enables you to experiment with the intensity of the coverage as well as to mix nuances to obtain the perfect color for your skin tone. The coverage can be built, allowing you to achieve different levels of coverage with only one product. 

   
   

4. It is highly hygienic!  Since there is no need for brushes or sponges to apply it, there is less environment that can harbor bacterias, making airbrush makeup more hygienic. 

5. It is ideal for the camera! Airbrush makeup is the camera's best friend! Since the formula is so lightweight and it blends smoothly into the skin, it translates better on the camera than traditional makeup. Thus, it is preferred by camera-related work, such as photoshoots, live broadcasts or movie sets. 

   
   

6. It is extremely versatile! Airbrush makeup is not limited only to foundation, but it also includes bronzer, blush and even body paint makeup. This means special effects makeup can be created with an airbrush machine, allowing a much faster application on larger areas than traditional makeup.  

However, we need to mention that airbrush makeup MUST BE HANDLED CAREFULLY. Thus, we will mention some downsides of the airbrush makeup. 

1. It requires a professional to apply it! Airbrush technique is complex and it takes time for a person to master it. Thus, it is recommended to ask a professional for assistance, as well as evaluate whether it is suitable because… 

   
   

2. …It may not be suitable for all skin types!  Airbrush makeup may not be the best option for extremely dry skin, as traditional makeup offers more coverage and hydration for this type of skin. Additionally, removal may be more demanding than the removal of traditional makeup and might require more special cleansers. 

   
   

3. It is more costly! An airbrush machine plus the required equipment are more costly and might not be accessible for everyone. Maintenance costs are also added to the expenses of an airbrush machine. However, the investment will be worth it in time! 

In summary, airbrush makeup is time-efficient while providing smoother application, and it is especially in demand in the television industry. As a makeup artist, training and knowledge of airbrush techniques is definitely an advantage.