Product Review: Sally Hansen Airbrush Makeup

aka: In which I learn how to use a calendar.

So I was all up and debating whether I should review this Sally Hansen foundation for Foundation Week, or if I should talk about a Paul & Joe base that I had the chance to try. And then I realized that hello, I promised a calendar week's worth of reviews, and a calendar week has -- check it out -- SEVEN days, and not five. I can review both! So that's good, even if I feel really dumb now.

The lovely ladies at Delush recently hosted an interview with What Not To Wear's Carmindy, in which she lists Classified Cosmetic's ERA Spray Foundation as a favourite. I love Carmindy, she makes everyone on the show look so naturally cute. So let me take this opportunity to use her interview as an awkward segway into talking about Sally Hansen Fast & Flawless Airbrush Makeup, aka: The Poor (Wo)Man's ERA.





After the disaster that was L'Oreal's Infallible Makeup yesterday, it was a comparative joy to put on the Sally Hansen. This stuff was purchased on sale as part of my ginormous haul from New York, but it's available everywhere in Canada as well. This ultra thin liquid sprays out of a slim aerosol can, and it kind of smells like the Sally Hansen spray on panty hose stuff, which is kind of offputting. The smell goes away after application though, so no worries.

I've heard about people who spray the foundation directly on to their faces, but I've also heard about people who eat things with exoskeletons, and I'm not about to do that either. I usually spray this stuff into my hand, and then blend it on with my fingers. I'm sure it would work well with a sponge or foundation brush too, since it's so thin. For a "long-lasting" foundation, this feels pretty light on the face, and blending is a snap. Take care around the hair line and jaw line though... despite how sheer it looks, this does provide some coverage, so foundation lines will be visible if you don't blend it in properly.

Airbrush Makeup gives a light to medium coverage that is very buildable. If you don't set it with powder, you get a slightly dewy look, but a touch of powder makes it matte. While it doesn't look quite as skin-like as a tinted moisturizer, it does a pretty good job of giving a natural look, IF you get the right shade. Lasting power is pretty impressive as well... I might have to blot once at midday, but that's usually it.

So why don't I use this foundation more? It only comes in like 5 shades, and that's supposed to cover the whole gamut of skintones out there. Creamy Natural is the closest shade for me, but it is still a shade and a half too dark. By far, the worst thing about SH's Airbrush Makeup is the lack of shade choice. The coverage is not sheer enough so that you could get by with a "so-so" shade. From others' reviews though, it sounds like a lot of the shades are kind of orangey or otherwise weird. Since I'm not a fan of the floating-face look, it's back to the drawing board for me.

So, if you're one of those lucky individuals that manages to find a good shade match, I'd definitely recommend giving this foundation a try. This would also be a good "practice" foundation if you're considering buying the ERA stuff, but aren't sure about the technique.


Tomorrow's review will be all about Paul & Joe's Liquid Foundation! That's right, I'm gettin' all fancy on your collective asses! Stay tuned!


Have you tried any of these "spray on" or "airbrush" foundations? What did you think?


This review was part of Foundation Week!