Airbrush Makeup vs Traditional Makeup: Battle of the Beauties
Your wedding date is fast approaching, and you still can’t seem to decide between going with airbrush makeup vs traditional makeup on the big day.
Not to worry, you’ve landed at the right place!
In this article, we’ll take a look at the exact differences between airbrush makeup and traditional makeup. As well, we’ll get into the benefits and disadvantages of using either method. Finally, we’ll offer up all the information you need to make a well-rounded decision regarding the type of makeup to use on your wedding day.
Airbrush makeup has its own set of pros and cons. While applying traditional makeup comes with its own challenges because each makeup artist has his or her own preferences. Ultimately, the choice between airbrush makeup and traditional makeup comes down to personal needs and preferences.
Honestly, we know the choice can seem a little overwhelming.
Traditional Makeup
Traditional makeup refers to the use of liquid, cream, or powdered foundations that are applied with a range of makeup tools including:
- Fiber brushes
- Sponges
- Foundation brushes
When traditional makeup is applied, it has a thicker consistency. Depending on the skill level of your makeup artist, applying makeup can be a time-consuming process.
One of the main reasons why so many women still prefer to use traditional makeup is that the available options are much more varied compared to what’s available for airbrush makeup lineup. With traditional makeup there are a plethora of formulations for all types of skin, offering anything from light to full coverage.
Airbrush Makeup
As the name implies, airbrush makeup is specially formulated to be applied with an airbrush gun and a makeup air compressor.
What are airbrush foundations made from?
Good question. Some are silicone based while others are water based. Regardless of their bases, the foundations are much thinner than traditional foundations.
The airbrush makeup is applied in thin layers to the skin, which allows for an even, smooth finished look when applied properly. Because the spray is very finely misted, it provides you with a flawless finish that helps even out the skin tone without weighing the skin down.
What is the Difference between Airbrush and Traditional Makeup?
According to the experts, airbrush makeup should last much longer than traditional makeup, and is supposedly the go-to option for photography — obviously a big deal for your wedding day!
In essence, the longevity of your makeup (regardless of whether you’re using airbrush or traditional makeup) will depend on your specific skin type.
Does airbrush makeup last longer than traditional makeup?
In all honesty, both traditional makeup and airbrush makeup are formulated for all-day wear. When used in conjunction with a primer, setting powder, and setting spray, traditional makeup can last just as long as airbrush makeup.
Does one handle sweat and tears better?
Airbrush makeup may last much longer than traditional makeup (and may be able to withstand sweat and tears much better) if you’re using a silicone-based foundation. If you’re using a silicone-based airbrush foundation, it’ll be much more water resistant than traditional makeup and will help you brave it through all those hugs and kisses without compromising your flawless Greek goddess look!
Does airbrush makeup cover imperfections and pimples more effectively?
The short answer is no. Airbrush makeup is light and provides a blanket-like finish, unlike traditional makeup which provides fuller coverage. Traditional makeup foundations come available in a range of formulations, some of them focusing on hiding blemishes and eliminating the look of imperfections on the skin.
If you’re keen on the idea of using airbrush makeup for your big day, keep in mind that it won’t give you the same glowing finish that traditional makeup will, and it won’t hide all of those imperfections.
Why do some women opt to use airbrush over traditional makeup?
If you’ve got hydrated, moisturized skin, airbrush makeup can look great on you. That is essentially the main benefit of breaking out the gun to get your look on.
However, if your skin is on the drier side, airbrush makeup can look flaky once applied. Because airbrush makeup is waterproof, it has a consistency that’s not as creamy (or buildable) as traditional makeup.
Another reason why brides-to-be still opt to use traditional makeup over airbrush makeup is that they’re limited when it comes to airbrush makeup shades. Some women have skin tones that are much easier to match with the wide range of traditional foundations available on the market.
As you can see from the MRS. & the MOMMA review, some women prefer the quick and easy application of airbrush makeup over the lengthy process of applying traditional makeup.
Cost
Alright, let’s talk price. Which one do you think is more expensive?
When I first thought about this question I thought that traditional makeup would be more expensive. I know how much my normal beauty regime costs, and it does add up.
The reality is that airbrush makeup is much more expensive than traditional makeup. So for a brides on a budget who want to cut costs on their big day, airbrush makeup can be seen as a nice-to-have and not a necessity.
Makeup and Weather
How well does airbrush makeup hold up in rainy or sunny weather, compared to traditional makeup?
Airbrush makeup is long-lasting, lightweight, and suitable for use in all temperatures. It’s able to withstand rainy and sunny weather, and although it’s super long-lasting, it still needs to be supported by a great setting powder.
Much like airbrush makeup, traditional makeup should be able to stand up to the demands of rain and extreme heat, but not without the proper prep and finishing touches. When used in conjunction with a primer, a sealer, and a setting powder, traditional makeup should last just as well as airbrush makeup on your big day.
Which skin type is most appropriate for each technique?
As mentioned earlier, airbrush makeup works amazingly well if you’ve got hydrated skin. Another way to say the same thing is that it should be fine to use as long as you don’t have very dry skin.
We would recommend that women with skin types ranging from normal to combination skin use airbrush foundation, as it is best suited for these skin types.
Traditional makeup is very versatile and comes in a wide range of formulations specifically designed to meet the needs of various skin types.
- Oily skin – a matte finish foundations is your best bet
- Dry skin – a rich moisturizing foundation would be better for your skin type
Pros & Cons of Airbrush Makeup
Airbrush makeup is wildly popular around the world for brides. We don’t have too many polls to go by, but this one from WeddingBee (not statistically significant for all those stats pros!) suggests that brides do favor airbrush depending on their skin type.
When applied correctly, airbrush makeup can help you achieve that flawless look you might otherwise not have been able to achieve with traditional makeup, but before booking and getting your airbrush makeup done, here are the pros and cons you need to consider:
Pros:
- Long-lasting and ideal for all-day wear
- Perfect for creating an impeccably smooth finish
- Requires much less product for maximum coverage (compared to traditional makeup)
- As each layer of applied airbrush makeup dries, you can add layers for more coverage
Cons:
- If used on dry skin, airbrush makeup can look flaky
- Difficult to re-blend once dried
- Available in only a few limited shade options
- Much more expensive than traditional makeup
Flawless Finish: Which Produces the Best Results?
What works for one bride might be disastrous for another. That’s why we won’t go as far as saying that airbrush makeup is better than traditional makeup.
The makeup you end up using should be based on your skin concerns. And as discussed in this post, airbrush makeup and traditional makeup each have merits. At the end of the day, your personal preference, together with a proper consultation with your makeup artist, should be the deciding factor when it comes to choosing between traditional vs airbrush makeup!
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