Airbrush vs. Traditional Makeup for Acne Scarring

I’ve read up on both but I’m sure a makeup artist could provide more info. I read airbrush doesn’t provide full coverage, it’s more of a light layer like mineral makeup coverage. Your skin has to be in pretty great shape for airbrush.
Traditional will let you layer it on to cover uneven skin.

I have scars too, not from acne but an anxiety habit of scratching the sides of my cheeks when I was younger. The scar tissue is still there so I’ll be going with traditional to cover it as much as possible.

View Quoted Comment Thanks Yam! I hadn't realized that airbrush only offered lighter coverage. I'll talk to a MUA as you suggested, but I'm leaning toward traditional based on your advice.

I've just had so much trouble finding a traditional product that really stays put throughout the day....and that's just in an office, not even dancing the night away.

View Quoted Comment Yeah that’s always tough! Do you have oily skin? Makeup kind of slides off oily type skin, that’s what mine does. Your MUA will know what products to use for your skin type and will have a good setting spray. You can also bring blotting wipes in your purse to keep your makeup looking fresh.

View Quoted Comment Yes, my skin is super oily. I actually stopped wearing makeup most days because I was tired of it getting on everything. I'm hoping to find a great MUA who knows how to work with my skin type. I'm sure I'll always need blotting wipes though-- thanks for the tip!

I had a TON of pitting on my face from acne scarring. Avoid airbrush. For me (the two times I've got it done), it clung to my imperfections and didn't do well with dry skin. I much prefer traditional makeup, you can get a thicker primer & foundation and way more coverage. I actually did 3 rounds of microneedling prior to our wedding and the progress on my pitting was phenomenal. I'm so happy with the results.

That's a good point. I'm disappointed that airbrushing, which I thought was supposed to help cover imperfections, seems to make them worse in some cases. I'll ask my derm about microneedling-- I hadn't even considered it.

View Quoted Comment I tried microneedling and did not find great results so it might depend on your skin

DO NOT DO AIRBRUSH AS YOUR ONLY COVERAGE!! I also have cystic acne scars and usually deep purple discolorations (from new ones). I've had my makeup done more times than I can count and only once did I have full airbrush....girl...IT WAS AWFUL. It sunk into my scars and huge pores and I looked awful. It stayed on all day but man it was a mess.

That said! The last time I had my makeup done, the MUA did a combo thing. Obviously I'm no artist but she put down some concealer and a few other liquids/smeary stuff and then did a quick light airbrush over that. Honestly, I think I would have been fine with a regular foundation but I looked great and even closer photos didn't show my scars/discoloration!

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Thanks for the tips folks, and thanks especially to Jasmin! I wasn't happy with the MUA who did my trial, so I'll keep interviewing others and see what they think of this technique.