Get an Airbrushed Look With This Simple Makeup Mixing Technique

Have you ever wondered how models and celebrities achieve that perfect, flawless look in photos? Their skin looks smooth and evenly toned, almost like it was edited. Often, this is thanks to the power of product mixing.

The Struggle of Getting Flawless Skin

Trying to get that airbrushed look with normal makeup application can be a struggle. Heavy foundations end up settling into fine lines and pores over time. It’s also hard to find an exact foundation shade match for your complexion. Full-coverage formulas often look cakey and mask-like in real life.

The result is rarely that filtered flawlessness you want for photos.

No matter how long you spend perfecting your makeup, it still doesn’t look quite airbrushed enough. If this sounds familiar, mixing products could help you unlock that photoshopped perfection!

Achieve Airbrushed Skin Through Custom Mixing

Product mixing means blending different makeup formulas together to create a custom product suited for your unique skin needs.

The Perks of Mixing For An Airbrushed Look Are:

• Sheer yet buildable coverage that doesn’t look overdone
• Perfect shade match for your exact skin tone
• Balance of moisture and long wear
• Able to adjust coverage, finish and staying power

Primers, luminizers, moisturizers and all kinds of foundations can be mixed together for airbrushing benefits!

Step-By-Step Routine For Flawless Skin

Achieving an airbrushed finish with mixing is simple when you follow a few key steps:

1. Prime and Prep Skin

Start by smoothing on a hydrating primer like the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dew Prime. This grips makeup better and gives your custom mix something to hold onto.

2. Determine Your Perfect Shade Match

Mix together two foundation shades that match your skin tone exactly right now. One should match your undertone and the other should match value/depth.

3. Add Luminizer For Lit-From-Within Radiance

Next, use a liquid highlighter or luminizing primer like Becca’s Backlight. This amplifies radiance for light diffusion just like an Instagram filter! Little goes a long way.

4. Adjust Formula For Perfect Finish

Thin and sheer out formulas with moisturizer for luminosity. Use a mattifying primer to reduce excess oil. Build coverage by adding extra pigment drops.

5. Apply Mix In Sheer Layers

Use a damp makeup sponge or brush to press mix into skin evenly. Apply very thin layers and build slowly as needed to prevent cakiness.

Extra Tips For Photo & Video Perfection

A few additional things that can help lock in that filtered finish:

• Set T-Zone – Use a fine, transparent powder like Laura Mercier’s to set oiler areas only.
• Use Matte Formulas Strategically – Spot conceal with mattifying concealers to manage shine.
• Enhance Beauty Lighting – Soften studio lighting. For video, use a ring light for dimensional radiance.

Recommended Mixes For All Skin Tones

Figuring out which products to mix can seem complicated. Here’s a quick reference to help:

Fair Skin

Primers: Photo Focus Dewy Primer + Hourglass Veil Mineral Foundations: Fenty Pro Filt’r 110 + 150, NARS Sheer Glow Oslo + Mont Blanc Luminizers: Becca Moonstone, Cover FX Halo

Light to Medium Skin Tones

Primers: Smashbox Vitamin Glow + Benefit Porefessional (T-zone) Foundations: Makeup Forever Y225 + Y245 , Nars Sheer Glow Ceylan + Fiji Luminizers: Hourglass Euphoric Strobe Light, Cover FX Sunlight

Medium to Dark Skin

Primers: Becca First Light + Milk Hydro Grip (oily zones) Foundations: Laura Mercier 4W1 + 7W1, Fenty 290 + 340 Luminizers: Fenty How Many Carats?!, Becca Champagne Pop

Dark to Deep Skin

Primers: Tatcha Silk Canvas + Becca Zero Pigment Light Shifter Foundations: Pat McGrath Medium Deep 26 + 36, Lancome Teint Idole 490W + 520W Luminizers: MAC Double Gleam, Milk Flex Highlighter Chocolate

FAQs About Mixing Makeup For Airbrushing

What if my custom mix oxidizes? Start sheer. Don’t mix too far ahead. Add blue mixer if needed.

Can this technique cause breakouts? Make sure to thoroughly wash sponges/brushes. Avoid heavily fragranced products.

Get That Photoshop Glow In Real Life

As you can see, creating your own personalized mix of primers, foundations and luminizers makes achieving flawless skin much easier! No need for excessive filtering. With these mixing techniques, you can get radiant, even-toned perfection in photos, videos and the real world.

What products will you mix together for that photoshopped glow up? Let us know in the comments the magic formulas that work for you!