We updated this article in March 2023 to add more information about each product, expert commentary and a new product pick, selected by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts.
If airbrush makeup sounds a little intimidating to you, you are not alone. Its "wedding day makeup" reputation precedes itself and many people think of it as special occasion makeup. News flash: it doesn't have to be. You can now achieve that luminous, glowing skin look in the comfort of your own home. We enlisted top makeup pros to share the 411 on airbrush makeup, including the differences between it and traditional foundation.
Meet the Experts
- Anabelle LaGuardia, a professional makeup artist based in New York City
- Joette Balsamo, a celebrity makeup artist based in Brooklyn, New York
- Jaleesa Jaikaran, professional makeup artist and host of The Life of a Makeup Artist podcast based in New York City
"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." The main benefit is that the airbrush tool delivers 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. "You can start off light and build it up," LaGuardia explains. "Some people think that it's going to be too heavy or not natural, but that is not the case."
Airbrush makeup is no longer reserved just for the pros. There are lots of DIY products available that work just as well as the professional versions. With at-home airbrush kits, you simply load your makeup into a handheld device that will coat your face in a circular motion with a fine, even mist — and there are also easy-to-use aerosol cans that are great for beginners.
Our top picks:
We've rounded up the best airbrush makeup kits and products you can buy, according to Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab testing and popular online picks vetted by our experts, including top-performing everyday use formulas designed for beginners and professionals alike. Plus, check out our favorite traditional foundations for dry skin, mature skin and full coverage formulas.