Quick Answer
Using some essentials of your beauty cupboard, You can easily dilute your foundation for airbrushing.
- Water
- Moisturizer
- Oil
- Primer
- Baby lotion
- Airbrush makeup thinner
- Setting spray
Airbrush machine uses a special type of foundation that is in liquid form but have a certain viscosity.
This foundation type has a thickness that allows it to be sprayed from the brush and to stick on your face without being flowy.
If by any chance you ever find out too late that your Airbrush foundation is finished, you can dilute your regular foundation using about 7 approved methods as discussed in this guide.
7 ways to dilute foundation for Airbrush
Water, a moisturizer, oil, a primer, baby lotion, a commercial thinner, and setting spray are some of the products that have been used to dilute foundation for use in an Airbrush.
However, each of the product listed above acts in a different way to your foundation.
All Airbrush foundation brands specify their target audience. Mostly, they do so according to skin types.
Even when diluting foundation for Airbrush, you will need to keep your skin type(i.e. oily skin, dry skin etc) in mind.
If you can’t tell which products to dilute foundation for your skin type, you are in the right place.
I will help you make an Airbrush foundation for your skin type in simple steps.
1. Water
If you have an oily skin, you will need a foundation that is oil-free and can lock in the excess oil produced by sebaceous glands.
Water is the ideal product to use when diluting foundation for oily skin.
A foundation diluted with water will dry out your foundation fast and make the makeup look transfer proof and last longer. Follow these steps to dilute your foundation with water for airbrushing.
- In a small mixing bowl, add about five drops of your regular oil-free foundation.
- Add about ¼ tablespoon to the bowl with the foundation.
- Use a tiny brush to stir the mixture.
- Keep stirring the mixture while adding
more water until you achieve a consistency that is ideal to be used in an Airbrush.
Once the Airbrush foundation is ready, prep your face and apply the foundation using an Airbrush.
Do not mix water with the whole bottle of foundation. Your foundation will go bad fast than it should.
2. Moisturizer
Moisturizers are formulated in a way they will help keep all skin types hydrated and vibrant.
If you don’t know your skin type, a moisturizer will be the ideal medium to dilute your foundation. Follow these steps to dilute your foundation with a moisturizer for airbrushing.
- Pour about five drops of your regular foundation in a mixing bowl.
- Add about ¼ tablespoon of your favorite moisturizer.
- Stir the mixture using a small brush.
- Keep adding more moisturizer bit by bit while stirring until you achieve the right consistency for your Airbrush makeup application
- Add the freshly made Airbrush foundation in the gun and apply as per your normal routine.
Foundation made using a moisturizer will give you a dewy and very natural makeup look that lasts longer.
3. Oil
DIYing a foundation to be used on dry skin can be so tough. However, if you have oil at home, it is very easy.
When choosing the oil to use when diluting foundation, ensure you are using an oil that does not solidify fast. Such oils include olive and jojoba oil.
Follow these steps to dilute your foundation with oil for airbrushing.
- Pour about five drops of foundation in a mixing bowl.
- Add about ¼ tablespoon of a light oil such as jojoba oil to the bowl.
- Use a tiny brush to stir the mixture and keep adding the oil until you achieve the right consistency to be used in an Airbrush.
- Spray some small amount of waterproof setting spray to the mixture to ensure your foundation does not melt on your face.
- Add the freshly made Airbrush foundation to an Airbrush gun and apply it following your usual process.
Avoid using coconut oil for dilute your foundation
Coconut oil will solidify your Airbrush foundation before it is even sprayed from the gun.
4. Primer
If you have normal skin type but still want to protect your skin against any harsh ingredients that might be present in your foundation, using a primer to dilute foundation is your best chance to do so.
Ensure you are matching your foundation and primer right.
For water-based foundation use a water-based foundation, silicone-based primer with silicone-based foundation, and mineral-based primer for mineral-based foundation.
You can use a mineral-based primer with both water-based and silicone-based foundations.
However, you cannot use a water-based primer with silicone-based foundation or silicone-based primer with water-based foundations. Silicone is waterproof and water resistant.
Follow these steps to dilute your foundation with primer for airbrushing.
- Pour about five drops of your regular foundation into a mixing bowl.
- Add ¼ tablespoon of the primer of your choice into the bowl.
- Stir the mixture using a tiny brush and keep adding the primer until the foundation is the right viscosity to be used in an Airbrush machine.
- Add the freshly made Airbrush foundation into your Airbrush gun and apply it on your face.
A primer will not only protect your skin against harsh ingredients. It will also make your Airbrush last longer.
5. Baby lotion
Baby products are formulated using the most safe ingredients. It is for this reason you should use a baby lotion or baby glycerin to dilute your Airbrush foundation if you have sensitive skin type.
You should however ensure you are using a legit brand known for baby products. Follow these steps to dilute your foundation with baby lotion for airbrushing.
- Pour about five drops of your regular foundation in a mixing bowl.
- Add about ¼ tablespoon of the baby lotion or baby glycerin to the mixture.
- Stir the mixture using a tiny brush.
- Keep adding the lotion or glycerin to the mixture until you achieve the right consistency for Airbrush machine.
- Add your freshly made Airbrush foundation on your Airbrush gun, prep your face and apply the foundation.
After applying your Airbrush makeup, you can use a waterproof setting spray to make your Airbrush makeup last longer.
6. Airbrush makeup thinner
Most brands that sell complete Airbrush makeup kit include an Airbrush makeup thinner in the set.
Thinners come in different formulas. You will find a mineral-based, water-based, and silicone-based thinners. Choose the right thinner that matches your foundation.
Follow these steps to dilute your foundation with airbrush makeup thinner.
- Pour about five drops of your regular foundation in a mixing bowl.
- Add about ¼ tablespoon of the Airbrush thinner to the mixture.
- Stir the mixture using a tiny brush.
- Keep adding the thinner until you achieve the right consistency for Airbrush makeup application.
- Add your freshly made Airbrush makeup to the Airbrush machine and start applying your makeup as per your normal routine.
A thinner will dilute your foundation to the right viscosity without fading your foundation. You won’t need to use a lot of products to achieve the right coverage.
7. Setting spray
With a waterproof setting spray, you can make the most long-lasting foundation that does not dry up your skin. Follow these steps to dilute your foundation with a setting spray for airbrushing.
- Add about five drops of your regular foundation to a mixing bowl.
- Spray your waterproof setting spray over the foundation in the bowl.
- Use a tiny brush to stir the mixture.
- Keep stirring the mixture while adding more setting spray until your foundation resembles a foundation that is used in an Airbrush machine.
- Once your Airbrush foundation is ready, you can add it to your Airbrush gun, prep your face, apply the foundation and then continue with the rest of your makeup.
When using a setting spray to make an Airbrush foundation, do not mix the spray with a while bottle of foundation.
The spray will make your foundation dry up before the next time you are using it.
You will still use a setting spray after your full makeup. This will make the rest of the makeup last longer.
How to apply Thinned Airbrush foundation ?
Before feeding the freshly thinned Airbrush makeup, you should test to see if it is on the right consistency. Heavy foundation will clog your Airbrush machine.
- Prep your skin using your normal skin care routine, them use a primer.
- You can then pour makeup in the Airbrush machine.
- Pull the trigger gently to allow makeup be released.
- Position the Airbrush some inches away from your face and start spraying foundation.
- After applying foundation, you can apply the rest of your makeup.
Do not use too much products or your makeup will look cakey.
Conclusion
In times when your Airbrush foundation is depleted and you have regular foundation or your Airbrush foundation is thicker and cannot be sprayed from your Airbrush gun, you don’t need to panic.
You can dilute your foundation at home using various products that are readily available.
When diluting your foundation, ensure the product you are using will do right to your skin type.
If you don’t know which product to use to dilute foundation to suit your skin type, read my guide above.
You may also enjoy reading..
- Does Airbrush Makeup Sweat off? | Ultimate Guide
- Why does my Airbrush Makeup Look Cakey? | Complete Guide
- Can you Use Airbrush Makeup without an Airbrush?
References
- Kapetanakis, S., Gkasdaris, G., Angoules, A. G., & Givissis, P. (2017). Kingherbs Allicin 0.6%, 0.8%, 1%, 2% Garlic Extract. World Journal of Orthopedics, 8(12), 874.
- Caisey, L., Grangeat, F., Lemasson, A., Talabot, J., & Voirin, A. (2006). Skin color and makeup strategies of women from different ethnic groups. International journal of cosmetic science, 28(6), 427-437.
- Aung, T., & Than, S. S. Formulation of Foundation Makeup (Liquid) Using D-Optimal Mixture Design (Doctoral dissertation, MERAL Portal).
