The Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System, ($399) is the first ever Airbrush system to feature a full digital touch-screen. Makeup junkies can step up their application techniques with this superior, at-home and on-demand makeup artist. With a full-range of airbrush makeup tutorials, any look can be easily achieved with just the push of a button!
How Airbrush Makeup Works
Though airbrush makeup was first used in 1959 on actors in Ben Hur, it has since grown in popularity in the entertainment business since the development of High Definition cameras (The Makeup Book). HD cameras will register every inch of your face as a tiny micropixel, and airbrush makeup delivers millions of tiny microparticles to your face. A match made in heaven, really.
An airbrush is characterized by 3 major parts. A powered compressor is used to create an even and controllable airflow through a medical grade hose. The hose connects to a metal, trigger-actioned gun. The airbrush system can be altered to suit every type of makeup application by changing the PSI (Per Square Inch) level for lighter, heavier, detailed or broader makeups. The Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System includes a fourth part, an HD monitor, which helps you visualize how you will look on-screen and in photos while you apply.
Airbrush makeup is characterized by its unique ‘globular’ application technique (Wikipedia).You or a makeup artist will mix foundation colors for a perfect blend to match your skin tone. The makeup is dispersed as an extremely fine mist through the airbrush gun. Millions of tiny little dots are created on the skin and when connected and layered together, these dots will create somewhat of a net over the entire face. This makes airbrush makeup to be a thin, light layer on the skin that is barely noticeable to the wearer. The fine mist of color covers the skin and gives the appearance of a flawless complexion.
Does the Airbrush Makeup Make a Difference?
Absolutely. The formulations used for airbrush are typically much thinner than those used in traditional makeup foundations. You absolutely cannot use regular foundations, HD or otherwise, in an airbrush gun, or else you will clog the gun.
Airbrush makeup will be applied more uniformly and in a much finer layer than a traditional foundation. All airbrush makeup formulations come on thin. It takes a lot of practice to get it right on skin that is not in great condition, but it can be done.
What Different Airbrush Makeup Foundations are Available?
There are five different types of airbrush makeup foundations (source):
- Water based: Finely ground pigments dissipated in water.
- Polymer-water-based: A mix of water, polymers and pigment, when airbrushed on the skin the polymer dries leaving a continuous coating on the skin.
- Polymer-SD40-alcohol based: Instead of using water like the polymer-water-based formula, it uses alcohol which assists with drying of the makeup on the skin.
- Alcohol based: Also called “temporary airbrush inks” alcohol based formulas are generally used when creating fake tattoos.
- Silicone-based: Uses silicone for longer lasting wear and without fading. Silicone-based can be thinned with certain types of formula additives, for lighter coverage.
Most of the airbrush makeup formulations will produce a matte finish. If you are looking for less of a matte look, silicone-based airbrush fluid will produce slightly more moisturization. Silicone-based airbrush fluid is largely waterproof, but it will lock moisture into your skin. It does, however, take a specific silicone makeup remover to thoroughly take off. On the other hand, you can just use a moisturizer designed for use with your airbrush makeup foundation for more of a dewy or natural look.
The Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System comes in twelve different shades and four different finishes:
- Â Â Â Â Â (12) Silk Airbrush Foundation Shades
- Â Â Â Â Â (12) Ultra Airbrush Foundation Shades
- Â Â Â Â Â (12) Satin Airbrush Foundation Shades
- Â Â Â Â Â (12) Matte Airbrush Foundation Shades
No matter which airbrush foundation formulation you use, however, the fact the globular application technique ensures millions of droplets are adhered to your skin means that it will last for up to sixteen hours. Most airbrush foundation formulations also are able to be blended more easily than traditional foundations. Carrying airbrush foundation droplets down to the neck and decolletage is smooth and seamless.
Is Airbrush Makeup Waterproof?
I write about products all of the time, and I am reluctant to say anything is truly “waterproof” — if you douse any formulation with enough tears, you’re going to have a mess on your hands. That said, crying in airbrush makeup is more likely to produce “streaks” than total meltdowns.
I will say, however, that airbrush makeup is non-transferable, meaning that rubbing or brushing against something will not cause the makeup to come off of the face. I wore it for 16 hours on my wedding day and had absolutely no issues. It didn’t budge at all.
The Advantage of the Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System
Airbrush makeup is expensive; I paid $150 for a one-time session on my wedding day with a professional makeup artist, and that is not atypical. The Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System offers the advantage of a one-time $399 startup kit cost. Refills are not much different than a department store foundation: $34 for 0.55 oz. and $19 for 0.25 oz. Additionally, it comes with pre-programmed video lessons that walk you through step by step, making it a snap to learn!
If you are someone in entertainment, film, theater, broadcasting, or modeling, I highly recommend the Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System. It is easy-to-use, portable, and makes retouches a snap. It keeps the cost per makeup application lower than hiring a professional makeup artist, and it is not difficult to use, once you get the hang of it!
Personal Use and Opinions
The Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System comes with 11 different shades of airbrush foundation. I found that I was somewhere between shades 3 and 4, so I mixed them until the fluid came out to match my skin tone exactly.
At first, I was surprised at how quickly the mist came out of the Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System. I had to reduce how much I pulled the trigger, but then I started to get the hang of it. The foundation came out smooth and even across my face. An additional layer produced even more matte coverage, which I was able to make appear more dewy using the moisturizer.
Bottom Line
If you are someone in entertainment, film, theater, broadcasting, or modeling, I highly recommend the Luminess Epic 2 Airbrush Makeup System. It leaves skin HD-ready, provides for greater precision than traditional makeup, and its finish can be adjusted from matte to dewy using the moisturizer provided.