Is an airbrush essential to your makeup arsenal? No, you can easily be successful in your career as a makeup artist without needing to use one. Many professionals are in committed relationships with traditional tools and techniques, and that’s absolutely okay!

That being said, there are some pretty cool makeup tricks you can pull with an airbrush. Learning airbrush makeup artistry allows you to keep up with (or get ahead of) your competition. If you’re thinking of branching out, read on!

We’ve rounded up some of the coolest tips and tricks for amping up your airbrush makeup skills. Applying a coating of camera-ready foundation is just the start!

You don’t need to be a makeup artist to know that makeup is pricey—especially when you have to start putting together a professional kit. Even if you’re a pro at getting makeup discounts, you might find the price of the supplies for a new technique is busting your budget. Especially when it comes to airbrushing.

Not only do you need the machine, but you need special airbrush makeup to go with it. When you’re trying to build a makeup kit that can accommodate any client, the idea of stocking a range of regular foundation and airbrush foundation can be daunting.

Luckily, you can make your traditional foundation do double duty. Traditional foundation is way too thick for an airbrush on its own. But you can mix some of your favorite foundation with an airbrush makeup thinner to use it with your airbrush machine.

Pro tip: This is pretty obvious, but make sure you read the instructions for your airbrush makeup thinner before using it! A specific foundation or airbrush makeup thinner may not be compatible with your airbrush, and this won’t be a budget-friendly option if you end up busting your machine!

Lots of people use their airbrush for highlighting and contouring on the face. But did you know you can use it to touch up roots or add temporary highlights to your hair as well?

You’ll need to buy a special product to use with your airbrush, which does make it tough to add to your professional makeup artistry kit in a range that will suit all your clients. As a makeup artist, chances are you won’t be responsible for your clients’ hair, unless you’ve also pursued courses in hairstyling.

Still, it’s a cool trick that might be fun to try out on yourself or your friends for a temporary taste of color or a short-term root fix—minus the salon price.

Foundation, highlighting, and contouring might be the go-to uses for airbrushing, but it doesn’t have to stop there. You can also use your airbrush to apply eyeshadow!

The advantage? Even, clean coverage with good lasting power. It’s also great for achieving flawless blending. To prevent overspray, try using an eyeshadow shield. If you’re still new to airbrushing, you may want to save this for later. Practice airbrushing eyes until you’ve mastered it before offering it to your clients!

Eyeshadow techniques tend to be a little more advanced. So if you’d rather stick to your brushes for applying eyeshadow, use an airbrush machine to create fantasy looks around the eyes instead. Stencils can help you create gorgeous and intricate swirls or leopard spots for character makeup.

That’s right, your airbrush can also be used to create the perfect pout!

If you’re looking to build your airbrush options while keeping your makeup kit on a budget, investing in some lip color might be a money-smart move. A lot of the time, airbrush shades for lips can also be used as blush colors—with a lighter application, of course!

Using a lip stencil can help you get a crisp, clean edge for your color that will really make your lips pop.