Five years ago, when I got married a new beauty trend was spreading like wildfire. It was makeup, but instead of being applied with a brush or your fingers, professionals were using air in a gun-like machine. It turns out makeup artists have been using airbrush technology since the 1980’s, but I believe it’s only become truly mainstream over the last decade or so. As a bride in 2010, I loved that it lasted all day and didn’t feel cakey on my skin. Today as a beauty blogger, I love having my own system at home to use whenever I feel like it. Luminess has created a system that is so simple, I could literally use it every day in my usual beauty routine. In my experience, however, airbrushing your own face without the supervision of a trained professional can be slightly hazardous. There are five tips for airbrush makeup you can do to try this at home without looking like a cartoon character.
1. Use a primer.
Insert tired analogy about a house needing a good foundation. Seriously though, if you want any makeup to last, you need to use a base primer. But especially with airbrush, longevity is one of the main perks. Amplify it by starting with Luminess’ moist primer. It will give your skin that dewy look everyone’s after right now, and your airbrush application will last well into the night.
2. Let it build and set.
Similar to when you’re applying nail polish, if you splatter on a giant glob of airbrush makeup, it won’t be able to properly set. Take the time to create fine, thin layers that you can then quickly let dry before starting on the next round. I’ve also noticed ten minutes after I apply my foundation it will appear much more visibly on my face. So if you think it looks a little too light after you first apply it, that’s actually exactly where you need to be. For me, I know I need two layers of foundation and one of blush for my skin tone. Any more and it’s too thick once all is said and done.
3. Don’t forget your decolletage.
This applies with any type of foundation, but it’s especially easy with airbrush. Give your neck and chest area (if it will be showing in your outfit) a quick spray before walking out the door. When it all blends together from your hairline to your cleavage you can bet hardly anyone will even know you have makeup on.
My skin after application of the Luminess system.
4. Mix it up.
The Luminess system comes with four different foundation shades, and in a wide variety of finishes. I personally like the Satin finish for a bit of glow, and I like to do one layer of Shade 3, then one layer of Shade 2. Don’t be afraid to play with the combination that works for you. Notice in the photo above how I’m wearing two layers and you can still see my freckles. That’s a GOOD thing. You want to cover your blemishes, redness, acne, etc. You DON’T want to look like a flawless robot. Airbrush makeup is simply about a better version of your skin, so keep playing with different options until you find just that.
5. Clean it up.
It’s not necessarily my favorite part of the process, but it is the most necessary. Failing to properly take care of your Luminess system means it won’t last as long, and that’s money down the drain. Make sure you are consistent in cleaning the needles, rinsing out the residue after application, and storing it in a clean, dry place. It doesn’t take more than five minutes, but it’s absolutely essential for the long run.
The photo on the far left is me without any makeup whatsoever. The middle is with Luminess Primer, one layer each of Shades 2 and 3, one layer of Brightener for some highlighting, and one layer of Blush on my cheeks. The photo on the far right is with the rest of my makeup applied. Seem like a lot? In total this entire look probably took me twenty minutes. And the Luminess system is compact enough that I can leave it on my counter, saving me time in set up each go around. It may not be something I do every single day, but if I didn’t have two young kids I certainly think I would have the time to. The entire process is built to be foolproof, and once you get the hang of it the benefits are irresistible. If you want to try Luminess for yourself OR you want to make someone’s Christmas AMAZING, use the code “606484389” for 20% off your purchase!
XO,
A
P.S. I received a complimentary Luminess kit in exchange for this review. Don’t worry though, all opinions are my own.
