Is Airbrush Bridal Makeup Better Than HD Makeup?

While booking a makeup artist for your wedding day, you are usually asked if you want to go for airbrush makeup, or HD makeup.

But what is the difference between the two, and is one better than the other? Allow us to break down each type of makeup and explain.

What airbrush makeup is all about

Airbrush makeup involves a different method of application. It is done using airbrush heads which spray tiny dots of liquid pigment on to the skin. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a new method of application at all. It’s just one that isn’t used by laypeople too often.

This is primarily because you need to buy a separate instrument for it, and cartridge to use with it. These liquid products are not like your usual liquid makeup. They are specifically formulated to be used inside airbrush machines. Makeup artists also need to learn how to use these machines, as there is a technique to how much you should be spraying. So, airbrushing requires a steady hand, experience, and expensive tools. That’s why it’s expensive, and not because the results are necessarily better.

Airbrush makeup is more hygienic

Airbrush makeup is applied with machines which spray liquid pigment onto a surface, so there is no use of fingers, brushes, or sponges. This reduces chances of contamination.

Airbrush makeup is better for oily skin or those with large pores
There is water-based airbrush makeup and silicone-based airbrush makeup. The latter fills out pores and set into a silky, satiny matte finish. Since the machine sprays minute dots of product on the face, it goes into every little nook and cranny, covering pores flawlessly.

Airbrush makeup lasts longer and is more water-resistant

If you choose to go for waterproof airbrush makeup– which is an option– then your makeup will stay on throughout the crying, humidity, and a long day of running around. Since bridal makeup is all about longevity, this is an important factor for those who are to have a long ceremony or back-to-back wedding and reception.

Airbrush makeup is quicker to apply

Many brides are very busy on their wedding day, so time is of the essence. Airbrush makeup goes on pretty fast, so it takes less time than regular makeup.

Airbrush makeup is expensive and not every artist is good at it

Airbrush makeup requires special tools, be it the machine or the liquid pigments which go into it. To get a good makeup look, you also need to be working with a trained professional who knows how to work with airbrushing tools. Someone inexperienced can spray on a little too much blush and make your makeup look ridiculous, or overdo the foundation and make your skin look too heavily-done.

What HD makeup is all about

HD makeup is applied using traditional makeup techniques, but involves the use of HD makeup products which are specially formulated keeping in mind how the makeup photographs in front of HD cameras and studio lights.

HD makeup gives you a finish which looks more skin-like in front of lights and cameras

HD cameras pick up everything, so if your foundation is too cakey, or your powder is too light, it will show. HD makeup is made using products which contain silica, mica, or quartz in order to brighten the skin, giving it a skin-like glow. All these products are tested in front of lights to see if there’s flashback or if it looks too cakey, and then formulated in a way that prevents that so that the camera doesn’t betray you.

HD makeup gives you a wider range of products to choose from

A wide range of brands offer HD makeup products, be it Makeup For Ever, MAC, or even NYX. Since HD makeup can be done with such a wide range of items, brides have a lot of options to choose from, which allows the makeup artist to customise the products used based on the bride’s skin type and skin tone.

HD makeup is better for someone with dry skin

Creamy products which don’t emphasise crusty flakes or dry out the skin to the point that it flakes, are essential for brides with dry skin. So, airbrush makeup is wrong for such people, as it contains ingredients that can dry out the skin, resulting in flakes. HD makeup allows one to use products more suited to dry skin, as a dewy look can be created with HD makeup.

Covering flakes, acne, and other texture is best done using HD makeup

Anyone with texture, be it acne, bumps, or flakes, should opt for HD makeup. Such texture cannot be hidden well with airbrush makeup, as airbrush makeup emphasises flakes and unevenness. HD makeup is therefore better for brides with acne or flaky skin.

So, which one is better: HD makeup or airbrush makeup?

At the end of the day, there is a considerable price difference between HD makeup and the expensive airbrushing option. Choosing one should factor in the overall budget, the bride’s skin type, and the longevity required.

You shouldn’t touch up airbrush makeup, but you can touch up HD makeup easily

Even though airbrush makeup lasts longer and can be done using waterproof products, it cannot be touched up with sponges or brushes later on. So, if, God forbid, something were to go wrong with your makeup, you cannot fix it, as it starts looking very cakey and patchy when you try to re-blend or overblend it.

HD makeup is just like regular makeup but with special products, so it can be touched up easily.

It’s easier to find the right shades and undertones in HD makeup, whereas airbrush makeup is limited

As mentioned above, HD makeup options are offered by many brands, be it MAC, Huda Beauty, Armani Beauty, Bobbi Brown, or Makeup For Ever. So, you have so many shade ranges to choose from. With airbrush , you HAVE to use whatever works inside the machine, so you don’t have a lot of options in terms of the formula or the shades. If your makeup artist doesn’t blend the foundation shades properly, you might not get an accurate shade match.

Airbrush makeup FEELS light but HD makeup LOOKS very natural

Airbrushing is lightweight in terms of the amount of product used, yes, but the coverage it gives is pretty heavy. So the resulting look isn’t exactly natural. It’s more flawless and, yes, “airbrushed.”

HD makeup, although heavier in terms of how it might feel, looks really natural and skin-like, which is great for brides who hate looking “made-up” in photos and love a subtle, pared-down look.

In the end, it depends on your skin type

If your skin has no unevenness and is smooth throughout, airbrush makeup is great for you, especially if you tend to sweat or get oily. If your skin is filled with acne pits, active breakouts, or flaking, you need to opt for HD makeup.

At the end of the day though, HD makeup is more customisable even though it’s cheaper. You can always finish with a good setting spray to lock in HD makeup and extend its longevity. You can use waterproof mascara and lipstick to make it more water resistant. But, if your skin is dry and flaking, you can’t customise airbrush makeup to suit your skin. Given all this, we’d say think twice before opting for airbrush makeup.