Throw out your old make-up sponges and powder puffs!
From Hollywood via Europe’s fashion catwalks to UK salons, the airbrush is now considered the gold standard of make-up application.
The technique has been used in the US since the early 1980s, stemming from the film and television industry where a flawless complexion is required by the camera for a picture-perfect close-up.
Airbrushing began appearing on the British fashion scene a few seasons ago when make-up artists were seen busily applying airbrushing backstage at designer shows. Then it was the department stores’ turn, when Estee Lauder launched the airbrushing technique as a permanent service at its counters.
Some of the world’s most recognisable personalities have used airbrush make-up on various film and television projects, including the cast of Friends, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Zeta Jones and Jennifer Lopez, to mention but a few. Even former US President Bill Clinton had a professional airbrush artist work his magic prior to his televised speeches.
Estetika has now launched its Airbrushing services incorporating eyeshadow,blusher and lipstick colour cosmetics, as well as fake tanning and medical camouflage. The applications of the technique are enormously varied and the results fascinating.
The basis of the technique essentially is that a low-pressure compressor attached to a “gun” or “wand” atomises and sprays a mist of foundation in thousands of fine particles over the skin as the gun is swept in a zig zag pattern about four or five inches away from the face.
The make-up sets on contact without any powder. The finish is incredibly smooth and even, and does not look heavy, as can some manual foundation applications, and there are no textural marks that can be left by fingers or sponges.
Facial imperfections such as ageing spots are covered, while wrinkles are much less obvious, as the fine spray does not settle into them. At the same time the facial sebaceous glands are not clogged so that the method is also highly suited to acne-prone oily skins. Estetika’s airbrushing technician will help you choose from a wide range of foundation shades to create an excellent match for your skin tone.
Opalescent effects can be added to the foundation to give a day-time glow or a glamorous evening make-up finish.
Eyeshields and stencils are used for colour application to shape brows, apply eyeliner and define the lips. A full make-over will take 15 minutes at most.
And the beauty of it all is that the make-up is hypoallergenic and alcohol and lanolin free, and, most importantly smudge and water resistant.
Thus it will last you all day and night, without needing touch ups to maintain the finish or to combat perspiration.
This makes it ideal for any special occasion such as a wedding or that important date or business meeting where you have to look your very best.
Another highly popular application of the airbrushing technique now offered at Estetika is sunless tanning, so much in demand in the winter months now that our hard-earned summer tans have faded away.
Once again, the finish of the airbrush tan is flawless. The method takes just 20 minutes for a full body tan and is totally fuss free – you stand up during the application and there is no hand contact with your skin, so it is hygienic and safe. The result is a golden tan which will last for a week or more.
Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are now also actively recommending airbrushing because of its potential for medical camouflage: concealment of those unsightly blemishes and skin defects which medicine cannot solve and are there to stay. Airbrush makeover on any area of the body will cover birthmarks, scars, broken capillaries, rosacea and acne in the face, tattoos, psoriasis, eczema and pigmentations, bruising and, above all, those unsightly leg veins which are so common among Maltese ladies.
Welcome to the future of make-up.