Get A Flawless Wedding Look! Hair and Makeup: Victoria Stiles Photo Credit: Todd Wright

Myth: Airbrush lasts longer than hand applied foundation and can make my uneven, acne skin look flawless.

Fact: Most professional artists prefer to use airbrush foundation in a controlled situation, one where they will be on-set to touch-up or blend any areas where the product has moved on the skin. Airbrush emits tiny beads of water-based or silicone-based diluted foundation. The beads sit on top of the skin and can easily move if not blended in by hand properly. In truth, for acne coverage and airbrush foundation, the artist will go through by hand and conceal the spots with concealer and a concealer brush. Not until all that work going through the face by hand does the artist lay a thin layer of the foundation over the entire face by airbrush—essentially laying another coat of product over concealer.

Question: I was under the impression Airbrush foundation was full coverage and it would cover acne scars and blemishes instantly. Why are so many, hand applied, steps necessary before the Airbrush foundation is applied?

Answer: Airbrush is not full coverage. By itself, Airbrush is extremely sheer or light coverage at best. On its own, Airbrush is great for faces that are virtually flawless or with slight discoloration. For a full coverage, flawless finish, concealer must be applied to acne, scars, etc, before the Airbrush foundation is applied. If a number of layers are applied by Airbrush, the product will shift and move more easily, resulting in a thick mess! Since the Airbrush foundation literally sits on top of the skin, the product can shift, almost leaving a streaked or patched effect, and is easier for a professional to touch-up by hand rather than a makeup novice.

Liquid Foundation Applied with a Brush Hair and Makeup: Victoria Stiles Photo Credit: Genevieve Leiper

Question: I want a long-lasting foundation for my wedding, one that appears flawless without being thick or cakey. What should I use?

Answer: As you may guess, I try to steer my brides away from Airbrush foundation if at all possible—even though I do use Airbrush for select projects and photo-shoots. As a professional makeup artist, the best foundation advice I can give for your wedding day makeup is to look for (or discuss with an artist) a liquid matte or demi-matte foundation, water based, that has medium coverage. In addition to the foundation, you will need a full coverage concealer for spot touching. By hand applying a thin layer of liquid foundation to the entire face with a foundation brush, you can (or your artist) can blend the makeup into the skin. This will give the flawless look and last longer for your wedding day. Spot touch on top of the foundation with concealer just to the areas where you need more coverage and set the foundation with a translucent powder. For touch-ups throughout the day, brush, or use a powder puff, to touch any areas that are shiny. This hand applied technique will not only look flawless in real life but also in pictures and last throughout your day!

Question: What products do you use for foundation, concealer, and powder for weddings?

Makeup Forever HD Foundation and Loose Powder
Keromask Concealer
Billy B Beauty Paint Brush two
Taklon Concealer Brush

Leave Airbrushing for the set, if you want a flawless look that lasts all day, stick with hand applied foundation!

Please feel free to comment with any questions or concerns!  I’m always here to help!

Cheers!

Victoria Stiles

Get A Flawless Wedding Look! Hair and Makeup: Victoria Stiles Photo Credit: Todd Wright

Myth: Airbrush lasts longer than hand applied foundation and can make my uneven, acne skin look flawless.

Fact: Most professional artists prefer to use airbrush foundation in a controlled situation, one where they will be on-set to touch-up or blend any areas where the product has moved on the skin. Airbrush emits tiny beads of water-based or silicone-based diluted foundation. The beads sit on top of the skin and can easily move if not blended in by hand properly. In truth, for acne coverage and airbrush foundation, the artist will go through by hand and conceal the spots with concealer and a concealer brush. Not until all that work going through the face by hand does the artist lay a thin layer of the foundation over the entire face by airbrush—essentially laying another coat of product over concealer.

Question: I was under the impression Airbrush foundation was full coverage and it would cover acne scars and blemishes instantly. Why are so many, hand applied, steps necessary before the Airbrush foundation is applied?

Answer: Airbrush is not full coverage. By itself, Airbrush is extremely sheer or light coverage at best. On its own, Airbrush is great for faces that are virtually flawless or with slight discoloration. For a full coverage, flawless finish, concealer must be applied to acne, scars, etc, before the Airbrush foundation is applied. If a number of layers are applied by Airbrush, the product will shift and move more easily, resulting in a thick mess! Since the Airbrush foundation literally sits on top of the skin, the product can shift, almost leaving a streaked or patched effect, and is easier for a professional to touch-up by hand rather than a makeup novice.

Liquid Foundation Applied with a Brush Hair and Makeup: Victoria Stiles Photo Credit: Genevieve Leiper

Question: I want a long-lasting foundation for my wedding, one that appears flawless without being thick or cakey. What should I use?

Answer: As you may guess, I try to steer my brides away from Airbrush foundation if at all possible—even though I do use Airbrush for select projects and photo-shoots. As a professional makeup artist, the best foundation advice I can give for your wedding day makeup is to look for (or discuss with an artist) a liquid matte or demi-matte foundation, water based, that has medium coverage. In addition to the foundation, you will need a full coverage concealer for spot touching. By hand applying a thin layer of liquid foundation to the entire face with a foundation brush, you can (or your artist) can blend the makeup into the skin. This will give the flawless look and last longer for your wedding day. Spot touch on top of the foundation with concealer just to the areas where you need more coverage and set the foundation with a translucent powder. For touch-ups throughout the day, brush, or use a powder puff, to touch any areas that are shiny. This hand applied technique will not only look flawless in real life but also in pictures and last throughout your day!

Question: What products do you use for foundation, concealer, and powder for weddings?

Makeup Forever HD Foundation and Loose Powder
Keromask Concealer
Billy B Beauty Paint Brush two
Taklon Concealer Brush

Leave Airbrushing for the set, if you want a flawless look that lasts all day, stick with hand applied foundation!

Please feel free to comment with any questions or concerns!  I’m always here to help!

Cheers!

Victoria Stiles