Airbrush or regular makeup?

The make-up artist I'm using offers it (for an extra cost), but she actually recommends not doing it. She said that it makes women not look like themselves, more like plastic.

Lots of my brides have questions about airbrush vs. traditional technique for longevity and look. First off, let me start by saying there are several different types of airbrush makeup a makeup artist can use. The options are Water based and Silicone based. I carry both lines in my kit for different reasons but most bridal artists will only carry one of their preference.

Waterbased gives a more matte finish and has very long wear but is not as good for humid/hot outdoor weddings. Silicone based is going to give a more dewey finish and is going to be better for outdoor weddings since it is slightly moveable which allows for touch up should you sweat a lot.

As for the Airbrush vs. Traditional technique. I use airbrush mostly for my clients with skin issues. Airbrush is a fine mist so it allows you to do lots of thin layers which will cover things like acne, rosacea etc. without looking caked on. It also works well for people who do not typically wear makeup (continued in next comment)

(...) because airbrush is very light on the skin and takes on the texture of the skin it feels very natural like you are not wearing makeup. I also like airbrush for more mature skin since it is light and doesn't sink into lines as much as some heavier foundations.

Traditional Foundation can achieve the same look as airbrush with a good makeup artist and as you know there are tons of formulations for different kinds of skin. Traditional allows for a more personalized look. For instance if someone had very nice skin I could sheer down the makeup to show their skin while just leaving slight coverage or if someone has trouble skin I could go in and correct and also contour using my foundations.

A makeup artist who makes their living doing makeup will have long wearing products and fixers to make sure your makeup stays throughout the day. There are lots of little tricks we do to make sure the makeup doesn't budge.

silicone based airbrush photo below which is what I would recommend

As for what Erica said about the skin looking "plastic" that only happens when someone is inexperienced with airbrush and applies the airbrush with a heavy hand. If you hire a makeup artist who is experienced with airbrush they will be able to make it look very natural.

For movies and television I use airbrush on the male talent because it looks more natural than traditional foundation.

Thank you so much for the information- I never knew there was so much to know!

If you do choose air brushing, like Briggitte states, make sure they have experience in years and clients. Just because someone has been doing it for 4 years, but they've only had 10 clients, is not enough in my opinion.

Just had my makeup trial (posted pics yesterday) and I got airbrush and I am so glad I did. I don't think it looks fake or plastic at all, it looks very natural.

I am extremely pale with a yellowish undertone to my skin. My makeup artist had a hard time matching my skin tone exactly during my trial. She said airbrush might be a better choice because it is easier to blend/mix colors. We are going to try again before the wedding.

@Briggitte, I have a question. I also have an airbrush system but my airbrush foundations are water based and not silicone based. So my question is, what if someone with oily skin is having an outdoor wedding or lives someplace where it's hot and they will be outside. Will the waterbase foundation work well or will the silicone work better? Even though my wedding has past, I live in Arizona and it gets hot. I noticed that the water base foundation controls my oil but if I touch or rub my face, the makeup comes off and doesn't let you blend it like regular foundation. I just want to know which one is best for oily skin. Thanks

Normally I don't wear any foundation so makeup always feels weird to me. I had regular foundation done for my e-pics and airbrush done from my trial. Airbrush felt 100% better. I would say that both photographed nicely but I felt more "cakey" with regular.

I had a professional MUA who works for a wedding beauty company apply airbrushed makeup during a trial and I hated it. I felt it on my skin and I just didn't like the general appearance of it.

Loved air brush.

@Val good question! Waterbased airbrush foundation does give a more matte finish but as you have stated there are some difficulties when it comes to the flexibility of the makeup if someone touches their face etc.

Silcone based overall is a much better choice for brides. The foundation is moveable and it is waterproof which is not the case with waterbased. What I recommend doing in the case of oily skin is to use a mattifying gel underneath the foundation (link below to my favorite) and airbrushing on top of that. Once you are done airbrushing lightly powder your t-zone with a fan brush.

http://www.evepearl.com/products/anti-shine_mattifying_gel-a_fair-light-medium.htm

Make sure that if you buy silicone based makeup you don't use the same gun you used with the waterbased foundation. Water and Silcone don't mix and it will destroy your airbrush gun.

I had my makeup trial on the weekend with a silicone based airbrush base. I LOVED it!! Felt like I was wearing nothing! The only thing I could feel on my face was the false lashes (first time I have worn false lashes). I bawled my eyes out while I had it on and NOTHING moved/ran/etc!

I had a trial with the airbrush and I loved it! It's light and it does not wear off easily..I kept it on all day running errands and by the end if the night it still looked good...

Thank you so much Briggitte! I guess I'm going to have to look into purchasing another gun because I really want to try the silicone base foundation. Also thank you for the link. One last question, what brand of silicone foundation is best? Thanks again.

~Edit~ After looking online and googling silicone airbrush makeup. I'm going to have to purchase a new airbrush system, because the one I have which is Dinair is not compatible with silicone. I don't want to mess up the one I have :-(

I have not had airbrush but based upon the reviews, that's what I plan on using!

Im doing airbrush! my cousin went to beauty school and works for a high-end salon. i have had problems with acne and my face isnt as smooth as id like it to be, i have been told it looks great in photos. i also have very oily skin and im hoping to use airbrush to keep that at bay and not have my makeup run off that day. im also getting eyelash extensions five days before the wedding, i want to go all out and look my best n the most magical day of my life!

I personally am doing airbrush. I am not a fan of makeup I always feel like I am wearing war paint. When I had my trial I loved how light the airbrush felt. Looked totally natural too!

I am also doing airbrush, and it was fabulous! Completely lasted all day, bridal shower, anger meltdown, chilling awkwardly at my grandfather's condo, and then coming back home. I literally scrubbed my face until hurt to get it off, so I need to figure that out. My artist only used airbrush foundation, and traditional everything else.