Airbrush makeup has many advantages over traditional makeup. Since the makeup is applied with an air compressor, artists don't need to pull or tug on the skin. Airbrush makeup particles are necessarily fine and leave a blended, natural finish as a result. Airbrushing is also faster than normal makeup application.
Airbrushing Foundation
Choose colors for foundation, eye shadow and blush. Match them to the makeup recipient's regular makeup colors and set the bottles out within easy reach. Test your air compressor, making sure that it sprays air in an even stream. If applying your own makeup, ask a friend to help you; it's very difficult to apply airbrush makeup to yourself without getting it in your eyes.
Ask the recipient to wash her face with a mild cleanser and apply a light moisturizer. This helps protect pores from clogging and prevents some acne. Let the moisturizer soak in for a few minutes before applying the makeup.
Hold the stylus about 6 inches away from the tip of the recipient's nose. Use a sweeping motion when applying the makeup, making sure not to stop and spray just one area for any length of time. This ensures an even coat of makeup that is not too dark.
Airbrushing Blush and Eye Shadow
Rinse and dry the compressor stylus between applying types of makeup. This prevents contamination so you don't end up with pink-blue eye shadow or a green tinge to your foundation. Always ask the recipient to close her eyes before applying blush or eye shadow since these areas are so close to the eyes. If makeup does end up in her eyes, rinse with water or eye drops immediately. The makeup is not dangerous. but the sooner you rid eyes of any irritation, the better.
Apply blush by aiming the stylus at the apple of the recipient's cheekbone, right under the eye. Hold the stylus about 4 inches from the cheekbone and sweep the stylus from the apple of her cheekbone across her cheek to just above her ear. You should only need to make one or two passes with the makeup.
Before applying eye shadow, ask the recipient to close her eyes gently, not squeeze them shut. The eyelids should be relaxed and smooth; raising the eyebrows may help smooth out creases. Keeping the eyelid smooth aids even application. Hold the airbrush about 4 inches from the eyelid and aim near the lash line. Gently sweep the shadow twice across the skin near the lash line. Sweep back and forth, moving up, coating the rest of the eyelid in a single layer. This gives the eye a dramatic, smoky look. You could also apply just a little along the lash line for a hint of flirty color.
