Stretch marks are an embarrassing part of rapid weight gain that often leave your skin peppered with angry purple streaks. Luckily, airbrush makeup provides a natural, full-coverage finish so you can cover your stretch marks without obvious, thick foundation and concealer. KidsHealth.org, a division of the Nemours Foundation, notes that makeup can make your stretch marks almost invisible. By correcting the color and airbrushing with a light hand, you can temporarily conceal stretch marks.
Step 1
Wash the area that you'll be airbrushing. You need to begin to with a completely clean canvas, as oils and dirt from your skin can result in spotty application or less functional wear. When the area is dry, apply a thin layer of oil-free moisturizer. If you want the makeup to last for more than four hours, add a thin layer of skin primer as well.
Step 2
Dab a corrective color concealer over the stretch marks. Stretch marks are typically recessed into the skin, so simply applying makeup will only get rid of the purple color, not the shape of the stretch marks. Choose a yellow-tone concealer that counteracts the purple in the stretch marks for neutral tone and added thickness to bring the marks flush with your healthy skin, suggests makeup artist Julia Conway in her book, "Professional Make-up Artistry."
Step 3
Fill your airbrush with good quality airbrush makeup by filling the attachment bottle with makeup and screwing it under the gun. You cannot use plain foundation makeup, as the pigments aren't as fine and won't give as even and natural coverage as airbrush makeup.
Step 4
Switch on your air compressor. You can use a regular shop air compressor, but it will be noisy. You can also use a SCUBA tank, if you have one. Airbrushes are not self-contained, and you will need an air source for the makeup to diffuse into small particles.
Step 5
Point the airbrush gun at your stretch marks and set the gun 4 to 6 inches away from the skin, depending on the coverage you need. Pull the trigger and make long, sweeping motions along the stretch mark until it's covered. Allow the makeup to dry, assessing the need for another pass. Remember that you can layer airbrush makeup for optimal coverage, depending on the size and severity of your stretch marks.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizer
- Primer
- Airbrush
- Air compressor
- Makeup
- Concealer
References
- "Professional Make-up Artistry"; Julia Conway; 2004
- KidsHealth.org: Stretch Marks
