When you seek out a makeup artist for your special day, you will probably be asked whether you would like to use traditional or airbrush makeup. You may have no idea what this means. (We certainly didn’t when we first heard these terms!) You can’t go wrong with either type of makeup. It’s just a matter of knowing the pros and cons of each and deciding which fits your needs better!
Photography: ML Photo & Film
Traditional Makeup
Traditional makeup can be liquid, cream or powder and is usually applied with sponges or brushes. This type of makeup has a thicker consistency and can come in any shade of color you can imagine! It is easier to match traditional makeup with skin tones because there is a large variety of colors. Traditional makeup offers anywhere from light to full coverage and can be used to target specific problem areas like blemishes or redness.
Ashley Coburn from Smash Beauty Bar used Makeup Forever HD and blended with a dual fiber brush and beauty blender to create this look!
“Blending is the most important part of traditional makeup! It helps make the foundation look like skin and less like makeup. There are incredible tools that can be used with traditional makeup that will help you achieve any look you want that will last up to 10 to 12 hours”
Ashley Colburn - Smash Beauty Bar
Pros of Traditional Makeup:
Designed for all day wear
Comes in a range of different thicknesses and consistencies so it can be used to cover up areas that are bothering you
More choices of color
Easier to touch up throughout the day
Cheaper
Photography: Brad Livengood Photography
Makeup: Smash Beauty Bar
Hair: Laura Gravina
Dress: Brilliant Bridal
Dress Designer: Theia Couture
Florals: Bliss Wedding Florist
Ring: Sarah O Jewelry
Check out Smash Beauty Bar’s website to see more of their amazing work!
“May your day be as flawless as your makeup.”
Photography- ML Photo & Film
Makeup- Kacie Mcintosh
Airbrush Makeup
Airbrush makeup is lightweight and applied using an air gun machine and makeup air compressor. The machine produces a very thin layer of makeup that comes out as a mist. Airbrush makeup looks very natural because of how thin the layer of foundation is and has more of a matte finish. Makeup artists are able to mix a foundation color so that it matches skin tones perfectly. Airbrush makeup is also waterproof and lasts the entire day, so you don’t have to worry about touch ups no matter how hot it is or how emotional you get. It won’t rub off on clothing, which is a huge relief for any bride who is worried about staining her wedding dress. This type of makeup looks incredible in professional photos and will make your skin look absolutely flawless!
We chose to use airbrush makeup for our photo shoot with Sarah Porter Photography earlier this year. It worked well with both of our skin tones and looked amazing in photos!
Check out Jessica Bystricky’s website to see more of her incredible work!
Photography: Sarah Porter Photography
Makeup: Jessica Bystricky Beauty
Pros of Airbrush Makeup:
Designed for all day wear
Looks better in professional photos
Great for people with hydrated, clear skin
Waterproof
Doesn’t rub off on clothing
Photography: Sarah Porter Photography
Tip for Colorado Weddings: Traditional makeup is best for Colorado weddings! Airbrush is unnecessary because it’s so dry and is more appropriate for humid climates.
Photography- ML Photo & Film
Makeup- Kacie Mcintosh
If you still aren’t sure which would look better and fit with your vision of the day, we would recommend trying both kinds at your makeup trial. Then you can see the differences for yourself and it will help you come to a decision. You can also ask your makeup artist for their recommendation because every artist will have a different preference. No matter which you choose, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will look gorgeous on your wedding day!
Photography: Sarah Porter Photography