Apr 21, 2010  •  In Beauty, Personal, Reviews

TEMPTU AIRbrush Foundation Review

Have I mentioned that I’ve been very self-conscious about my looks these past few months?

Only about a dozen or so times!

Along with the almost-20 lbs I’ve stacked on, pregnancy has also changed my body chemistry so much to a point where my old tried-and-true beauty products just have not been cutting it.

My regular facewash has become too drying. My moisturizer seems too light. I have even (embarrassingly) developed a case of bacne.

The problems above didn’t bother me too much. I am supposed to be on the hunt for a new facewash anyway because the line has been discontinued. I can always try another moisturizer from Clarins (my go-to skincare company) once my current bottle of lotion runs out. I have been diligently using Neutrogena body wash and taking care to keep my shoulders and upper back blemish-free.

Then the unthinkable happened.

My HG (that’s “holy grail” in makeup junkie talk) foundation stopped working for me.

The same one that I had been using for two straight years without a problem.

It sat on top of my skin instead of being absorbed. It slid around throughout the day. It also broke me out. Badly.

I pleaded with it. I tried using less, then more to see if that helped. I tried various acne products. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

So I set out to Sephora one dreary morning to find a replacement foundation.

I think I spent about an hour and a half just trying out various foundations. I was almost set on purchasing the popular DiorSkin Forever…then my eyes landed on the TEMPTU display case.

I had been intrigued by TEMPTU ever since Sephora announced that it will begin carrying the line earlier this year. I was tempted to try it, but brushed off the idea because I already had a foundation that I loved.

But this time, I had a good excuse.

Plus, I had gotten a taste of airbrush foundation at my wedding and loved that it lasts all day.

I flagged down a salesperson who gave me a rundown of the system. She explained how to set up the airbrush foundation machine, and demonstrated the application process.

I loved it.

The only thing that put me off was the price — at $225 for the machine and $55 for two AIR pod™ Foundation cartridges, it certainly isn’t cheap.

However, J knew how down I had been feeling about my looks so he encouraged me to buy it. He offered it as an early anniversary present.

So I purchased the TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup System, the AIR pod™ Foundation in Natural (I later ended up exchanging it for Sand which was a much better shade for me), and the AIR pod™ Blush in Soft Peach.

I have been using the Temptu Airbrush Makeup for almost a month now. I purposely waited this long to write this review because I wanted to make sure that the sparkling new feeling had worn off.

The verdict: It is SO worth it!

I love that the airbrush system allows me buildable coverage via two ways: (1) the dial setting on the machine itself; and (2) how long you apply.

Both the foundation and blush leave a silky, dewy finish. You can also choose to purchase the AIR pod™ Highlighter, but I opted out because I usually have very oily skin by the end of the day.

The makeup literally lasts all day. It has the best lasting power of any foundation I’ve ever used (and believe me — this product junkie has tried many over the years), even as I go on my sweaty 1½-hour walks with Comang. Does my skin look greasy by the end of the day? A bit, yes. But I just blot with a piece of tissue and then I’m good as new again!

And just because I love my readers so much, here are some “before” and “after” photos I took this morning:

Click on the pictures to see larger versions.

(Please excuse the messy background and the poor quality of the pictures. I am currently staying at my parents’ and took the pictures in my sister’s room — which has the best lighting — with one arm extended. I also did not have my DSLR on me.)

I admit that I applied the foundation with a heavier hand today because I was afraid that the difference wouldn’t be noticeable in pictures…but as you can see I was wrong! Usually I prefer a lighter coverage.

The best part? No more breakouts! The pimples that had surfaced from my old foundation are gone, and I have not gotten any bad reactions from the TEMPTU makeup at all. I also love that the airbrush system is so much more sanitary than using your fingers, a brush, or a sponge to apply makeup.

The only “con” I can list about the system is that the machine seems a bit cheaply-made in person. However, it seems durable enough, as I’ve already traveled with the system a few times with no problems.

I highly recommend to all my readers that you stop by your nearest Sephora and try out the TEMPTU AIRbrush system for yourself! And if you have any questions about TEMPTU, leave a comment and I’ll try my best to answer them!

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23 Responses to “TEMPTU AIRbrush Foundation Review”

  1. Jenny, I hate you.

    No really.

    Because now, I have to test out this machine for myself if I go back to a Sephora, and if I end up loving it as much as you do, I AM GOING TO BUY IT.

    And that means I’ll be out $300+ bucks. *sobs*

    (No, I really don’t hate you. Thank you so much for posting those pictures of before & after. It looks & sounds incredible!)

  2. Vee says:

    Is it difficult to use correctly? Let me rephrase: Would you recommend it for someone who sucks at applying makeup???

    For some reason, I was under the impression that airbrushing was best left to the professionals, but perhaps I got that idea because the system is so expensive!

  3. Geek in Heels says:

    @FB — My mother always taught me to splurge on facial products. I may skimp on many items, but I tend to splurge on facial/skin products and I don’t regret it one bit!

    @Vee — It’s actually pretty easy (and pretty difficult to mess up). Just hold the spray 5-6" from your face and apply in small circular motions. If anything, it’s a bit fun! There’s a video at http://www.temptu.com/airbrush-your-look.html if you’re interested.

  4. @FB says:

    i hate her bc her "before" picture is 10000x better than my skin on MOST days!! wtF! 😉

    glad it worked out for you though :p yayy

  5. mugen says:

    Wow! I SO want this now. Thanks for posting.
    Would you recommend it for someone with bad skin and needs to do apply foundation on specific spots?

  6. Jina of JAC says:

    🙂 I added airbrushing to JAC and it’s been wonderful~ and PSH! You have that glow! That beautiful momma glow~ Looking good GIH~

  7. Geek in Heels says:

    @mugen — So sorry for the late reply, but to answer your question….yes and no. TEMPTU (and Sephora salespeople) says that if you need additional coverage in a certain spot, you just need to go over the area for longer. However, I’ve found that using concealer on problem areas is much easier and covers better.

  8. CT says:

    I have had my temptu for like a week and a half I use the foundation on full coverage I put it on once a day and the foundation is already gone I put as much as the girl that worked at Sephora put on me. They say it last for 3 months so i dont get why its gone already!I It sucks because it makes my face look great but its so expensive that I cant buy a new foundation every two weeks!

  9. Geek in Heels says:

    @CT — Do you set the foundation with loose powder? I find that this step is crucial in setting ANY type of foundation, especially with the TEMPTU.

  10. CT says:

    What do you mean by set it with loose powder? put powder on my face before I use the temptu?

  11. Geek in Heels says:

    @CT — No, you apply the loose powder with a fluffy brush right after applying foundation. This "sets" the foundation in place and helps it last longer. I even do this extra step after I apply concealer too.

  12. CT says:

    Oh yea I do that but my problem is that I use the temptu on the high level and I put it on once a day and after doing that for a week and a half the foundation was gone. How long does your foundation last you for?

  13. Geek in Heels says:

    @CT — My first "Pod" lasted about 3.5 months for me. However, I use it between the low and medium setting and prefer to layer only on areas where needed. As for lasting through the day, it definitely wears off a bit by night but it's still there and going strong after 16, 18 hours. I usually need to blot once or twice to get rid of extra oil on my t-zone, but that's it. Maybe it's our different skin chemistries, or maybe it's the way we apply it; I'm not sure. I suggest that you check out the product Q&A at http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P242119&categoryId=C21481#askAndAnswerTab and ask your question there if it hasn't been answered already.

  14. CT says:

    Alright thanks! =)

  15. Sandra says:

    Dear Jenny,
    Thanks for an objective review-good idea showing the pictures too!. You look great.
    I am doing my research, and am going to try it at Sephora, do you have any information on other brand of airbrush systems? Up til now I’ve just used a tinted moisterizer as I like a more natural look. How do you think it works for someone older, my skin is starting to form fine lines and wrinkles.
    Best Regards,
    Sandra

  16. Cathy says:

    Can I use this on my body too? For unslightly marks?

  17. G says:

    Why,why,why do the pods clog. I have 3 in a drawer that are 1/4 full and no longer working. Also my newest pod won’t work. I have been poking,shaking, more poking, inserting pod, removing pod, and still they do not work. I’ve had my system for 4 months. Love the makeup but when it is taking 20 minutes just to make pods work…aim getting frustrated and feel like taking it all back. My sister is having same exact problems in Texas.

    Help, I love the feel and look but is it worth the constant problems.

  18. D.90 says:

    Hello,
    You have beautiful skin even without makeup.. I’m jealous! haha
    If i may ask what shade of the air pod foundation do you use? I’m planning to order mine from Temptu.com and am confused as to which shade of foundation (004 Sand or 006 Warm beige) is right for me.

    • I use 002 Ivory and 003 Warm Ivory, but everyone’s skin tone is different. I recommend that you visit one of the many makeup forums on the web, like Makeupalley or even the Sephora product Q&A page linked in my responses above, tell them which shades you use in other brands, and ask which would be comparable. Good luck!

  19. Nuria M. Alvarez says:

    TEMPTU: No idea how good or bad this product is, but I was thinking about buying it and filled out the information but never finished the order, it even lacked my correct billing address and still THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE PRODUCT!!! Beware of even thinking about buying on the internet, with companies like this one, you need no one else to steal from you. When informed within 30 min of their mistake, they did not admit it, and did not cancel the order. I will have to go through the trouble of returning something I never ordered.

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