PUTTING YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD

Airbrush makeup is going mainstream for weddings

OBy Tara Traughber

Once solely used as a tool of the rich and famous, airbrush makeup is no longer only for the elite. It’s now something that’s widely accessible for all brides and their wedding party. Fans of airbrushing say it can create long-lasting coverage that has a natural and lightweight feel.

Kendra Pagoria, a licensed esthetician and makeup artist living in Spring Valley, is one of the local professionals who offer airbrush makeup services for special occasions. Pagoria graduated from Bradley University with a degree in radio and television broadcasting and pursued a career in Los Angeles for a while.

“I found myself always more interested in the makeup department of the shows I worked on,” she said.

That prompted her to move back to Illinois and return to school. Pagoria now has 11 years of experience, including seven years of working in a medical spa. The transition to makeup artist took place when, PaSUBMITTED PHOTO/KENDRA PAGORIA Spring Valley airbrush makeup artist Kendra Pagoria uses herself as a model to show off what airbrushed makeup looks like on the face. goria said, “I started casually doing wedding makeup and, after about a year, I realized the sweating caused by danc- gives a light and natural-lookI could really stay busy doing ing or when the inevitable ing coverage. something I loved.” tears start to flow. “Airbrush makeup feels

Those who have never had “I have had so many bridal lightweight and clean, yet their makeup airbrushed parties send me pictures at gives amazing coverage. Airmay be unfamiliar with the 10 to 11 p.m. and they are brush colors are very builddifference between this type amazed at how well their able and forgiving. It is easy of application and the more makeup still looks after all to mix colors for the perfect traditional style of putting the sweating and dancing,” match but rarely do I even on cosmetics. Pagoria said. have to do that,” she said.

“Airbrush is an ultra-fine Another benefit of air- Lauren Uhlenhopp of concentrated mist that ab- brushed makeup being ab- Ottawa, whose maiden sorbs directly into the skin, so sorbed into your skin is that name was Kunkel before it doesn’t merely sit on top of the makeup will not transfer. her recent wedding, hates it, giving it longer durability,” “So, it will withstand all the cakey makeup looks and was Pagoria said. hugging you will inevitably be nervous at the prospect of

The makeup is water-resis- doing on your wedding day,” having someone else do her tant and lasts longer because Pagoria said. wedding day makeup. it contains a silicon base. A common concern for “Kendra did a perfect job. That can be a huge plus for those new to this style of I didn’t have to worry about brides who are getting mar- makeup is whether it will look my makeup all day. It felt light ried during the sometimes orange and have a cakey look. and natural while providing brutal Illinois humidity. It can That concern has no founda- great coverage,” Uhlenhopp also help guard against other tion, according to Pagoria, said. “Kendra was really sources of moisture, such as who says airbrush makeup sweet, and I was very happy

with the results.”

Another misconception Pagoria hears is that airbrush makeup will not work on all skin types. Pagoria said it can work with any type of skin. She will adjust primers to accommodate the different skin types. The right primer and finishing powder are enough to combat excess oil.

“It glides onto the skin and covers imperfections all while giving you a healthy, beautiful glow. It is always my goal to have a bride still look like herself after I do her makeup, just an enhanced version of herself,” Pagoria said.

Airbrushed makeup doesn’t take long to do, making it a great option for hectic wedding days. Pagoria can finish a full face of makeup and lashes in 30 minutes or less when using the airbrush method.

She said most women prefer to use fake lashes for their wedding day to enhance their eyes.

“They are strikingly beautiful in pictures yet can still appear natural. They can take a beautiful makeup application to the next level. I always recommend the bride wear lashes, even if she has long lashes to begin with. The added thickness to them will still wow the crowd,” Pagoria said. “Fake lashes add that extra bit of glam.”

Pagoria said she loves doing airbrush makeup for weddings.

“It’s a happy and exciting day, and I love being in the atmosphere with all

SUBMITTED PHOTO/LEAH KUHN Lauren Uhlenhopp of Ottawa and her mom, Beth Kunkel, both had Kendra Pagoria of Spring Valley airbrush their makeup for Lauren’s recent wedding. Kunkel also had Pagoria do lash extensions for the occasion.

that happiness, excitement, and love,” she said. “I love it when their own beauty shocks them. So many times a bride will say ‘Wow, I’m beautiful.’ Women don’t say that about themselves nearly enough, and when she sees herself and really feels that, then I’ve done my job.”

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