| Catherine Zeta Jones wears it. So does | | | | Cruelty-Free Companies |
| Jennifer Lopez. Why? Airbrush makeup creates | | | | |
| a flawless face - almost as if you took your | | | | The good news is that many airbrush companies |
| picture and ran it through Photoshop. | | | | make non-animal tested foundations. Dinair |
| | | | Airbrush Makeup, OCC, and Luminess are among |
| Here's how it works. A tiny amount of | | | | many cruelty-free brands. |
| specialized foundation makeup is mixed with a | | | | |
| few drops of water, and then sprayed onto the | | | | Blush and Eye Shadow |
| face with a wand. The result is a sheer, yet | | | | |
| full coverage. You end up wearing less | | | | You can buy airbrush-ready blush and eye |
| foundation, but with a flawless finish. It | | | | shadow, although that may require the |
| even hides under eye circles and rosacea. | | | | purchase of a special nozzle for your wand. |
| | | | But once your basic foundation is dry, |
| Tools for At-Home Airbrush Application | | | | there's no problem using your regular powder |
| | | | blush and eye makeup. |
| - airbrush compressor | | | | |
| | | | Airbrush Advantages |
| - airbrush wand (sometimes called a pen) | | | | |
| | | | - Once airbrushed, you are good to go for up |
| - hose (connects the wand and the compressor) | | | | to 10 or 20 hours, with an average of around |
| | | | 16 hours. It won't rub off on anything or |
| - makeup foundation | | | | disappear into your pores. |
| | | | |
| - bottled water | | | | - If you're sharing the makeup - at a |
| | | | wedding, for example - the airbrush system is |
| First time users can get this equipment in a | | | | sanitary, since it never actually touches the |
| kit. After that, all you will need is the | | | | skin. |
| foundation. Expect to pay from $120 to $600 | | | | |
| or more as your initial investment. Once | | | | - Some of the kits and foundations can be |
| you've purchased your kit, the only further | | | | used on legs, to conceal veins and |
| cost is foundation, which can be about $20. | | | | discolorations. That means no panty-hose, |
| Some companies are making smaller | | | | ladies! |
| compressors, which are easier for home use | | | | |
| and for travel. | | | | - Special effects, such as stencil tattoos, |
| | | | are easily applied. |
| How to Apply | | | | |
| | | | Airbrush Disadvantages |
| 1. Place a few drops of foundation into the | | | | |
| designated cup, along with a few drops of | | | | - It's expensive, especially at first. |
| water. (Each brand will have its own | | | | |
| instructions telling you specifically how | | | | - Applying the makeup is time consuming and |
| many drops of each to use.) | | | | requires the equipment, a power supply, a |
| | | | water source, and enough space. |
| 2. Hold the wand about 6 to 10 inches from | | | | |
| your face, and spray the mixture in gentle | | | | - If you're applying it on yourself and |
| circles over your face and neck. Never hold | | | | you're alone, you've got to do at least parts |
| the wand in one place. Keep it moving. And | | | | of the application with your eyes closed. You |
| don't spray it into your eyes. Keep your eyes | | | | don't want to get the product in your eyes. |
| closed if you can. | | | | |
| | | | - You can't throw it into your purse like you |
| 3. Let it dry. If you want, you can apply a | | | | can with mineral makeup or regular |
| second coat. After that's dry, you're good to | | | | foundation. |
| go. No need for finishing or setting powder. | | | | |
| | | | - If you use airbrush makeup a lot, you might |
| What Kind of Foundation to Buy | | | | consider some sort of face mask. No one has |
| | | | definitive information yet about how much of |
| Airbrush makeup foundations come in two | | | | the product gets into your lungs. |
| types: silicone-based and water-based. Many | | | | |
| professionals recommend the silicone, saying | | | | Still, that ultra flawless, pore-less even |
| that it creates a slightly more flawless | | | | look is a very appealing idea. Some women |
| look. You need to purchase dedicated airbrush | | | | even say the makeup hides some of their |
| makeup - you can't use your regular | | | | wrinkles. If you want that look, airbrush |
| foundation in these machines. | | | | makeup is certainly worth a try. |
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