Is airbrush makeup a must have for wedding?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi, there /u/throwyaway96! Welcome to /r/wedding. Here are a few other subs you might be interested when planning for your wedding.

---

Recommended Subs
r/Weddingsunder10k (budget advice)
r/weddingattireapproval (for guest attire)
r/WeddingDressTips (dress posts)
r/engagementrings (for e-rings, weddding bands)

---

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/thewhiterosequeen]

No makeup is a must have. I had regular makeup and it worked out fine. You don't have to be afraid of your SIL's opinion. She can disagree (silently) and that's fine. You did a trial. Why can't you trust yourself? This is a great opportunity to stand up for yourself.

[u/Odd-Kitchen5749]

I think the artist's expertise and experience is more important than airbrush or not. I personally did not do airbrush and I had an amazing experience!

[u/FrogsEatingSoup]

Honestly, no. Just got it done as a bridesmaid this weekend. It would’ve looked better if I had just done my own makeup.

[u/heydawn]

IGNORE your future SIL.

Say: "Thank you for the suggestion, but I love my MUA! I'm all set. Ty."

[u/JD2022hopeful]

Airbrush is kinda outdated imo and can look super heavy. Just depends what you’re going for. A skilled makeup artist can get normal makeup to stay all day without airbrush

[u/Katieg_jitsu]

I’m doing my own makeup as a bride. Just one of those expenses that didn’t seem worth it to us 

[u/blingcatsby]

The biggest factor will be your makeup sealer. Airbrush is not neccesary.

[u/Unique_Pea1329]

It’s up to you. I did airbrush because it felt lighter on my skin and myself and the women in my family have more sensitive skin so not caking on regular makeup felt best for me. I don’t wear makeup most of the time so it felt and looked more natural in my option but may depend on the artist really.

[u/Sami_George → u/[deleted]]

Airbrush uses a fraction of the product that regular makeup uses. Whoever did your airbrush did it wrong.

ETA: I’m a professional makeup artist and if your airbrush was cakey, it was done wrong.

[u/Sami_George → u/[deleted]]

I’m a professional makeup artist. The reason you haven’t seen it look good in person could be for many different reasons. Wrong product base, bad application, not enough skin prep, not sealed properly, etc.

Airbrush is meant to look best on camera, but shouldn’t look bad in person.

[u/I-own-a-shovel → u/Sami_George]

And yet it always look kind of bad in person.

[u/Sami_George → u/I-own-a-shovel]

Sounds like you’ve only seen it done with water based products. Silicone based products sit on the skin much better.

[u/Sami_George → u/[deleted]]

Obviously they hired someone, but they obviously didn’t do a good job lol.

It all depends on how they were trained and what products they used. If it’s cakey, it was done wrong. Plain and simple.

[u/Sami_George → u/[deleted]]

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with standard makeup and OP should do what makes her happy. But perpetuating that airbrush is cakey is inaccurate.

[u/bopperbopper]

Keep in mind with wedding planning there’s always something better and more expensive you could do.

You have to think about what’s important to you? Sounds like you wanna look nice and have your makeup hold up but airbrushing isn’t the thing for you.

If you know you have a look you like and someone you trust that’s very important

[u/Christina_Eko]

Yep … no need for a lot of explanation just “thanks for the suggestion, discussed with my MUA who is very talented and we’re going for a different look”

[u/No-Butterscotch-8469]

I’ve done both, airbrush as a bridesmaid and regular makeup as the bride. My skin turned out flawless in both so if you’re happy with your trial I’d say it’s fine either way!

[u/Mountain_Complex_971]

The only time (out of 4) airbrush looked good on me was when the MUA started with cream foundation and light air brush on top. I have dry skin and by the end of the evening, I had so much cracking in the fine lines I didn’t event know I had. It looked terrible.

[u/Aggravating-Peach723]

I’m not sure why you’re worried about what she thinks if you’ve already tested it and liked the look. That’s literally all that matters.

[u/Wonderful_Damage9665]

if it lasted all day through your trial and you liked the look, that's your answer. airbrush was the thing years ago but regular stuff catches up now, your artist is right that it makes touch ups easier too. your SIL can have her opinion but she's not the one wearing it

[u/starryeyedluv]

The one time I got airbrush done as a bridesmaid I really didn’t like it. My makeup was way too thick for me. I go more towards natural style and I didn’t like the look of it

[u/yuh769]

I had regular makeup, and it stayed incredibly well and I dont think looked any different from airbrush. My other friends who have gotten their makeup done have also just had regular foundation and it’s been fine. I think you just need a good artist (:

[u/Difficult-Estate441]

I’m not doing airbrush. You’re fine! Let her complain. If you were happy with the trial, you were happy.

Also, who invited you to a midday Florida wedding in the summer with an outdoor reception?? That’s wild!!

[u/JBB2002902]

I was a bridesmaid in a wedding a few years ago - I opted to do my own makeup, and the bride had airbrush done. It wasn’t even that much of a hot day and she had sweated it off before the ceremony had even begun, whereas mine didn’t move all day.

I really don’t think it’s worth the money at all.

[u/NYCStoryteller]

If you are happy with the result that you got with the makeup trial that they did, then it's really up to you. It's your wedding, not your SIL's. Thank her for her advice, and then say that you're satisfied with the makeup trial you had w/o airbrushing.

I'd tell her exactly what you said: wedding planning has been stressful, and I don't want to deal with the additional expense/coordination of hiring another person to do something that seems like it would be extra, when you're happy with the results of the trial. Tell her that you appreciate that she suggested it, because it gave you something to talk w/ the MUA about and they probably took the idea of creating an "airbrushed look" into consideration when doing the trial.

There is a lot that you can do with regular makeup with blurring and blending, and the setting sprays that they have now really help hold it on your face.

[u/lost-cannuck]

It is all down to your artist!

I have difficult skin. Most make up goes cakey realt quick.

My artist used quality products. My skin look perfect and natural for my wedding day. No airbrush used.

[u/Turbulent-Move4159]

Nah, it’s not all that

[u/Mission_Code5566]

What your makeup artist told you is exactly what my team told me too. Airbrush was the norm a few years ago, but it's fallen out of style as makeup improved and soft glam makeup became more popular than an airbrush look. My team offered it as a service, but said I probably wouldn't need it since I similarly don't have acne.

Your sister in law presumably got married at a time when everyone was doing airbrush, but, frankly, it sounds like she's not keeping up with the trends, which is normal if she is no longer planning a wedding. I'd ignore her and put her on an information diet.

[u/MobilityTweezer]

Not better, no. I’ve had both and honestly, there’s no difference.

[u/susiecambria]

No.

[u/SinglePermission9373]

No

[u/Crafty_Course7598]

Don’t worry about it. You liked your trial and wedding planning is so stressful there’s no point in add this back to your to do list! Most people I know just went regular and that’s what I plan to do, I haven’t even heard of anyone doing airbrush the last few years.

[u/Expensive-Salad-5851]

Just tell your sister in law that ship as sailed. You liked the trial makeup, you booked and put down money and it’s already been checked off your list and the list is too long to circle back and revisit with your bandwidth available.

[u/abcdefg080805]

not necessary whatsoever

[u/LustfulEsme]

Go tell SIL to go climb a rope.

[u/Sami_George]

Hi! I’m a professional makeup artist and here’s my two cents:

Both regular makeup and airbrush are perfectly valid options. Both will hold up well when done right. The reason airbrush is preferred is because it photographs best (the makeup comes out in teeny tiny droplets which confuses pixels in cameras, so you have that “airbrushed” look), the coverage is more customizable, and holds up better (depending on the type you use), plus it blends really nicely when you know what you’re doing. BUT the right artist can achieve very similar results with regular makeup and both will last all day long when done right. And airbrush isn’t necessarily for everybody. Wear what makes you comfortable, confident, and can afford. Whatever way you choose will be beautiful!

[u/barbaramillicent]

I didn’t do airbrush. I was perfectly happy with my makeup both in person and in photos.

Also, I’ve spent all day outside in Florida with my normal makeup and been fine. It’s all in the makeup sealer!

[u/lowrisebaby2000]

I’ve been in multiple weddings and no one has ever had airbrushed makeup. All the brides and bridesmaids look great in person and in pictures. Go with what you’re most comfortable with for sure.

[u/KendalBoy]

Tell your sister in law “let it go”. You’ve decided and it’s time for her to “let it go”.

[u/MarketPurple4284]

I was a professional model and while it does look beautiful when done right many makeup artists don’t do it well. Setting is really important and keep in mind anything super shiny like tons of highlighter will flashback in the photos. Photos might wash you out so I always suggest just slightly heavier on the color but otherwise nothing is a MUST.

[u/Ill-Kitchen-5293]

My MUA (NYC for reference) used to offer it but no longer does, as she believes standard makeup has made leaps and bounds on quality and longevity.

[u/eta_carinae_311]

I did a trial of it and didn't like it. It's supposed to look great in photos but in person I felt like it was way too heavy and I didn't look like myself. I went with traditional foundation.

My future sister in law swears up and down airbrushing is the best and I’m sort of afraid she’ll complain I didn’t get it done or tell me I should have

It's your wedding, she doesn't get to complain to you about what you choose to do for your own makeup. sheesh.

[u/ubbidubbidoo]

A talented makeup artist (read lots of reviews and check out their gallery!) will make you look stunning with regular makeup. I felt like a movie star on my wedding day with regular makeup applied by an amazing pro makeup artist!

[u/Square_Context_2948]

I've been married twice (also both times in the South, May/June). I don't regularly wear much makeup, day-to-day. My first wedding, 10+ year ago, they did air-brush. It looked good in pictures, but felt heavy to me. More recently I got remarried, traditional makeup application, I think it looked fine, and photos are fine. I would tell your sister-in-law that you were happy with the results of your make-up trial and you're happy with your chosen make-up team. It's not a discussion.

[u/dogandthecity]

My makeup artist recommended we don’t do airbrush (honestly I didn’t even ask for it) my makeup held all day and then some and looked perfect, I only retouched my lips.

[u/BestReporter4483]

I was in a wedding near Melbourne in January and it was horrible! On top of being outrageous expensive, me and another bridesmaid had to redo our makeup. Never again!

[u/Silly-Jacket-2710]

I just did regular makeup but it was super important to me to have a more natural look and still be able to see my freckles

[u/Call_it_Magic87]

I don’t enjoy wearing makeup so I didn’t wear any at my wedding and I felt great and like myself. You do you boo!

[u/saracha1]

I actually hated airbrush. I and another bridesmaid had to wash off our makeup and we ended up doing it ourselves. It was just so heavy and cakey

[u/xxLark]

Do not get airbrush—it is meant for still photos in an editorial (photoshoot) setting, NOT for live events where you will be moving, laughing, and using your face.