What’s better? Airbrush makeup or the traditional?

I’ve heard airbrush is a great finish and works best in high temp environments, like in front of a lot of hot lights or in warmer climates, making it the preference for people in film and television, but you can’t wear a setting spray with it for some reason, so I don’t know that the longevity is as good. Maybe try it for your trial and see how you like it?

View Quoted Comment Thank you Rosie!

I’ve heard airbrush can look more natural and not so caked on your face. However I’ve also heard that with airbrush if it gets wet, like from sweating or crying, it will melt off and you’ll have streaks. I would talk to a professional to know for sure.

Ask for both during your trial (plenty of freelance MUAs can do airbrush). Had I not tried out both airbrush and traditional makeup during my trial, I wouldn't have known that airbrush worked a lot better with my skin!

I did airbrush for my wedding and really liked it. I don't ever wear makeup and airbrush felt very light like I wasn't wearing anything and stayed on well. I didn't have any issues with it coming off (we got married in September in the mountains).

Airbrush makeup is better for oily skin. It stays longer and looks much better than traditional make up. It also holds up better in humidity. I’ve had it done for numerous weddings, and spent 12+ hours running around, having photos taken, eating, drinking, dancing, sweating… and it didn’t budge. A couple times I didn’t wash my face before going to bed, and it was still perfect when I woke up the following morning!

Https://www.qcmakeupacademy.com/2020/02/airbrush-makeup-vs-regular-makeup-which-is-better/


I disagree with the blanket statement that airbrush is better for oily skin.

View Quoted Comment

Also agree. I have combination skin so oily in some places and dry in others. I was a bridesmaid in a friends wedding where we had airbursh and I have never felt such heavy, cakey foundation. It settled into every line, crack, and crevice on my face. I'm a frequent and avid makeup wearer so I'm used to the feeling of makeup on my skin, but this was so much. Luckily it looked nice in pictures but I've honestly never felt less confident in person. Even my now husband commented on how heavy it looked.

I have oily skin and acne and had airbrush done for my makeup trial and LOVED it. It lasted 12 plus hours and was still hard to take off! I looked flawless and it weighed nothing. I'm excited to have it for the wedding day.

View Quoted Comment Oh my gosh, this is a very atypical experience with airbrush makeup! It sounds like the artist wasn’t very skilled at the application, or else used terrible products. I have had airbrush make up upwards of 30 times, and it has NEVER looked thick & cakey, and has felt completely weightless every single time. I would urge you not to give up on airbrush! You should get recommendations from others and have a trial run with a different artist.

I got airbrush makeup for my wedding. Disclaimer: the only makeup I wear day to day is eye liner, and I'm completely inexperienced with makeup in general. I got a very natural look, didn't do any heavy contouring or eye shadow.


I read airbrush holds up better in lots of touchy situations, like hugging. I could confirm an above comment about airbrush holding up better in heat- my wedding was outdoors and 82F degrees and I had absolutely no issue with anything running or smearing all day (11am-~10pm). I've also read that airbrush is better to smooth out your complexion and is more translucent than traditional makeup. That said, if I got really close to a mirror I could definitely see the makeup and thought it looked cakey. Then again, I was about 5 inches from a mirror and never wear a full face of makeup in the first place, so take that with a grain of salt.
Traditional makeup is more full-coverage and can smooth skin as well as hide blemishes better. Be careful that your foundation doesn't contain zinc as it could cause your skin to reflect camera flashes.
Reading what I did beforehand, and my experience at my wedding, I did really like airbrush makeup