10 Best Airbrush Makeup Products for Flawless Skin
From makeup machines to foundation sprays, get a radiant complexion just like the pros.
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Often used for special occasions and weddings, airbrush makeup can give skin a stunningly luminous effect — almost like walking around with a filter on IRL.
"The difference between airbrush and regular foundation is in the application," says Anabelle LaGuardia, a professional makeup artist based in New York City. "With airbrush, you work with an applicator gun, which is a compressor with air, that delivers a very even stream of makeup," for a level of control you can't achieve with hand application, meaning you can layer on as much, or as little, as you'd like.
Makeup pros love this technique, but there are also at-home kits to achieve the look yourself. To find the best airbrush makeup kits and products, our editors vetted dozens of products on the market and enlisted top makeup pros to share their top tips, including explaining difference between airbrush and traditional foundation.
Art of Air Professional Airbrush Cosmetic Makeup System
Pros
- Highly rated by makeup pros and shoppers
- Includes blush, bronzer, highlighter and primer
Cons
- May be drying on skin
Beloved by makeup pros, the Art of Air system comes with everything you need to try professional-quality airbrush makeup for the first time: an airbrush and compression system, six different foundations, makeup for contouring and even a cleanser once ready to remove.
It's garnered more than 3,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with one person writing: "Though reluctant to use it, I gave it a try and found I loved the way it made my skin feel. No heavy liquid makeup mask, just a thin, moist spray of color." If you have a dry complexion, take note: This formula can be drying on skin.
| Coverage | Sheer |
|---|---|
| Number of Shades | 6 |
| Size | 5 oz per foundation bottle |
Jerome Alexander MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation
Pros
- Budget price
- Matte finish
- Easy spray application
Cons
- Might not suit dry skin
For budget-friendly airbrush makeup that's almost effortless to use, the $15 Jerome Alexander airbrush foundation delivers. One user describes the singular foundation as "flawless," adding: "[It] stayed on through an 8-hour shift and beyond. It’s extremely easy to use and blend."
Spray the foundation onto the included brush from a couple of inches away. Then, apply in circular motions and voila! Oily skin types may find the mattifying finish more flattering than those with dry skin.
Pros
- Simple application process
- Satin finish
- Many color options
Cons
- May be tricky to find right shade
For a no-frills option, Luminess's kit gives beginners the airbrush basics. The starter set includes a primer, a foundation spray and a dual-ended buffing brush. It boasts a silky, satin finish and hydrates upon application thanks to skincare ingredients like moisturizing hyaluronic acid.
"I love how easy and simple this foundation is," one shopper writes. "It's not cakey or thick. [It] goes on smooth. I love the primer spray — so hydrating. I don't feel like I have foundation on at all." A few shoppers liked their color matches but had to choose wisely from its 18 shades.
Jerome Alexander MagicMinerals Deluxe AirBrush Foundation Set
Pros
- Blurs the look of fine lines
- Buildable and lightweight
- Quick, three-step system
Cons
- Strongly scented
Those hoping to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles should look no further than Jerome Alexander. Its trio system includes a primer for smoother application, a mineral powder-based foundation and a lightweight setting spray.
The two included kabuki brushes help blend it all for a seamless skin-like finish. "It doesn’t get in the grooves of my wrinkles, and it literally makes my fine lines a lot less noticeable," one 60-year-old reviewer remarks. "It also makes skin look dewy and glowy." Proceed with caution if you are sensitive to scent; a few reviewers commented that it has a strong fragrance.
| Coverage | Full |
|---|---|
| Number of Shades | 5 |
| Size | 1.8 oz per bottle |
Belloccio Professional Beauty Airbrush Cosmetic Makeup System
Pros
- Conceals dark circles and blemishes
Cons
- Some reviewers noted difficulty with the compressor
The Belloccio airbrush system has some reviewers so impressed with their results that they're ditching their concealer, which is why it's a great go-to option for everyday use. "I decided to try this because I've noticed I've had problems hiding dark circles and settling makeup in the eye area," a reviewer commented.
"I've been able to wear just the Belloccio foundation instead of two types of concealer plus foundation. I'm still amazed!" As with any system, test it before you get started applying; a few reviewers had trouble with the compressor.
| Coverage | Sheer to full |
|---|---|
| Number of Shades | 17 |
| Size | 0.25 oz per foundation bottle |
Pros
- Includes primer, blush and highlighter
- Long-lasting luminosity
Cons
- Long drying time
- Limited shade range
Rated by professionals for its top-notch quality, the Luminess Air airbrush makeup kit touts budge-proof makeup complete with four foundation shades, plus a primer, blush and highlighter. "I love that it is super easy for anyone to use — not just a pro," says professional makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran.
Online shoppers agree and love that a little goes a long way with this formula. One notes: "Luminess delivers on their promise of luminous-looking skin using very little makeup, and the coverage truly is flawless." While it does last all day, the product can take a while to fully dry and set, so keep that in mind when applying.
| Coverage | Sheer to full |
|---|---|
| Number of Shades | 5 |
| Size | 0.25 oz per cartridge |
Temptu Air Cordless Professional Airbrush Makeup System
Pros
- Lightweight, semi-matte finish
- Water-resistant
- Wide shade range
Cons
- Expensive
While this Temptu airbrush foundation starter kit does come with a hefty price tag, it is loved by many who say it's well worth the splurge, including GH's experts. It also boasts a large shade range.
"I thought it was super easy to use and I love the versatility — it offers foundation, blush, highlighter and more," says GH's contributing beauty editor. "It was also surprisingly lightweight. I didn’t feel like I was wearing heavy, caked-on makeup and it had a natural, glowy finish."
| Coverage | Medium |
|---|---|
| Number of shades | 24 |
| Size | 0.41 oz per foundation pod |
Pros
- Long lasting finish
- Non-oily formula
Cons
- Some report compressor clogging
Touting a non-greasy finish, the Aeroblend airbrush makeup kit lasts all day without exacerbating oiliness and breakouts. Using it almost daily, one satisfied shopper writes: "I love the water-based makeup, and it lasts all day. I have oily skin, and this does not melt off my face."
It also includes multiple shades so that you can customize your perfect mix. Just an FYI, this system was reported to have occasional issues with the compressor getting clogged.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Non greasy
- Resists transfer
Cons
- Must let dry before getting dressed
- Only two shades
Airbrush makeup isn't just for your face; this Sally Hansen spray formula created for legs can be used for coverage all over your body. Applying airbrush makeup to exposed skin, like legs and arms, can help camouflage any problem spots and create an all-over even, glowing skin tone.
"I fell asleep with it on, woke up and none of it had rubbed onto my white sheets. The makeup was still perfectly intact," one reviewer marvels. "A plus because you can wear it to the beach and sweat without it coming off." Just be sure to let it fully dry before getting dressed to prevent staining on clothing.
| Coverage | Medium |
|---|---|
| Number of Shades | 2 |
| Size | 4.4 oz |
How we chose the best airbrush makeup
Our beauty editors vetted highly-reviewed products on the market and relied on our decades of beauty product expertise to create this list. We used our own experience testing airbrush makeup, as well as recommendations from professional makeup artists and online reviewers to put together this list.
What to look for when shopping for the best airbrush makeup
The only real difference between airbrush makeup and other foundation is the way in which it is applied. "You want to pick a foundation based on your skin type, a rule that applies to airbrush makeup too," explains Joette Balsamo, a makeup artist in New York City. Here are some additional guidelines to know:
✔️ Radiant finishes may be better. Airbrush foundation formulas are typically drier than traditional ones, as they must be pushed through the compressor. (The more hydrating the foundation, the more likely it will get stuck in the apparatus.) For this reason, Balsamo recommends choosing "luminous" airbrush foundation finishes, which are less likely to accentuate dryness and wrinkles.
✔️ Go for a full kit. Airbrush makeup compressors and foundations are sometimes sold separately, but pros say the best foundation for airbrush makeup is the one that comes with the set. "I think it's always better to go with the foundation that comes with the technology because they've been created to function together," Balsamo advises, so there's less likelihood of error in use.
✔️ Finish with a face mist. Whichever airbrush makeup you choose, top off your look with a spritz of facial mist. "To make the look more supple, spray a hydrating rosewater or glycerin mist all over to bring some moisture into the makeup, so it looks more like skin," she advises.
Is airbrush makeup really better than foundation?
"The choice between airbrush makeup and traditional foundation depends on personal preference, skin type and the occasion — one isn't necessarily better than the other," Jaikaran says. "Airbrush makeup is often preferred for special events, like weddings or other events that you need makeup to last a long time and photograph well." Jaikaran has used both types of makeup in different circumstances and believes you can achieve a similar flawless finish using either. While proper skin prep is important no matter what you use, she emphasizes the importance of skincare before applying traditional foundation to achieve the most seamless look.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Marielle Marlys wrote the original article, interviewed experts and selected the product picks. She is a freelance writer who specializes in covering the beauty market, including frequently writing about makeup products.
Dori Price updated this article by adding one new pick and additional info about existing picks, plus more tips about airbrush makeup. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing makeup stories.
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