I have always LOVED the effect of airbrush foundations but the idea of having to use a gun and compressor just seems too much for every day. Lucky for me, I was sent award-winning SK-II Air Touch Foundation, an airbrush foundation that you spray directly onto your face for the same flawless effect MINUS the bulky equipment and hassle. Want to know if it delivers? Read on to find out!
SK-II Air Touch Foundation
Invented by the Japanese, the Air Touch Foundation comes in a sleek, hand-held disk in a sophisticated red color. Inside the case houses a battery-operated ionizer and refillable sachet of color.
To use the foundation, it is strongly recommended that you first moisturize your skin (which I always do anyways) and do your eyebrows, eyeshadow and blush. Next, hold the disk 4 inches away, flip the little switch to On and move it along the contours of your face. The tiny positively-charged foundation color particles will then be drawn straight onto the negatively charged ions on your skin, covering anything with a high water content while avoiding hair, eyebrows and clothes.
The whole spraying process takes about 15 seconds. Although I cannot see the color particles, I can definitely feel a gentle breeze on my face. The foundation leaves behind a moist finish that takes longer than usual to dry. It is VERY important that you keep your hands and hair off your face before the foundation dries off or else it will smear and get patchy.
Once the foundation sets, my skin looks smooth, glowy, evened out and just unbelievably natural. My undereye circles and freckles still show through but you can always build up the coverage by spraying a second layer or use a concealer on top. I also love how there are absolutely no streaks or blotchiness – yay for not having to blend with fingers, brushes or sponges!
Besides the awesome finish, the wearability of this foundation is superb! As you all know, I’m a fan of the dewy look and with this foundation, I never have to set with powder or touch up during the day. The foundation does not oxidize or change color either and my skin stays fresh until I take it off at the end of the day.
Color-wise, there are only 4 shades available in the US. OP-1 is the lightest with pink undertones, OP-3 is a medium color also with pink undertones, BP-4 is a darker beige/yellow color and BR-6 is the darkest with more neutral undertones. OP-3, featured in this review, is a decent match for my MAC NC30 skin. Here is a picture of it squirted onto the back of my hand.
The only con is probably the price. At $165 for the complete set (device and refill) and $90 for a refill which probably will last about 2 months if you use it everyday, this is no doubt the most expensive foundation I have ever used. But considering the effect it gives and how easy it is to use, I am still willing to fork out the money when my refill runs out.
Has anyone of you tried this or other airbrush foundations? Share your thoughts!
Front of SK-II Air Touch Foundation
Back of SK-II Air Touch Foundation
SK-II Air Touch Foundation in OP-3
Wearing SK-II Air Touch Foundation on my cheeks. See how translucent my skin looks? Lovessss!
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for consideration only. It may also contain an affiliate link, which gives us a small commission if you purchase the item. Please see our Disclosure for more information.
26 Comments
Wow it does make your skin look really good but $165 is so expensive 🙁
Ooooo sounds neat! Have you tried Temptu? I wonder how the SKII compares to that. Luv your blog!
the coverage looks sheer
Angie,
I have only tried out the Temptu tester at Sephora and from what I remember, it covers better than the SK-II but the finish is also blotchier.
AtelierGal,
The coverage is sheer but it does add this really nice glow onto the skin and makes it look more even. I will do a face with this shortly so you guys can really see the difference =)
i really want this but apparently the SAs here told me that its being dicontinued? =(
Aretha,
Are you based in Australia?
I have this foundation and I love it too. I’m so glad you blogged about it.
I’ve had this foundation for years and LOVE IT! Although it is sheer, it definitely has coverage particularly if you go over the same area a few times. Have your tried Teint Innocence (Chanel) Phyllis? It also is dewy, sheer and gorgeous!
i have my sk air touch for more than a year now and it’s a real savier !
i had it as a pregnancy gift (i made to myself) and i just love the way to use it, the lovely and natural look on your face, it’s waterproof and i never use it more than 10 seconds so the refills last for more than 4 months to me !
no phyllis im based in KL, Malaysia currently. Is this still for sale in the States?
Aretha,
Yes the foundation is still for sale in the US. I recently read that it is being/was pulled out from Australia but a friend in Hong Kong just told me yesterday that the foundation would be launched there later this month.
I have used it for 2 years and half now and still got plenty of stocks…though they’ve withdrawn from Australia, you still can call the skII line and they could send you from overseas (of course it more expensive due to shipping cost). It cost $198 Australian dollar before it pulled out. I think the refill is about $98 consist of 2.
I almost have all the colours: OP-3, BE-2, OB-4 and OB-2, except OP-1 which is too white for my skin (OP-1 is more suitable for Caucasians skin) OP-3 also more suitable for Caucasians or people with very fair skin like korean,japanese,hongkong and yes it got more pink tone in it.
Be-2 got yellow tone and more suitable for people that have dark yellow undertone. Ob-2 and Ob-4 actually more targeted for Asian skin…Ob-2 have pink tone while Ob-4 got yellow tone.
Compare to OP-3, for Asian fair skin you’ll get more natural colour with OB-2 (with Op-3, you’ll get more fairer result that some people preferred).
Ob-4 is suitable for most asian skin with yellow tone…my skin is Mac NC-30 as well but I find my skin colour adapt better with OB-4 during summer and Ob-2 during winter. The rest of colour i just using them once in a while (esp when during tanning and the skin colour keep changing)
Result:
Like Phyllis said, it leaves your skin dewy and moist result. The coverage is buildable and I like to spray just about 5 second longer on pimple and the result is natural, no cakeyness and effortless flawless..The good thing about it also it contain Pitera (which is popular ingredients from skII), which mean this foundation also keep your skin hydrate and radiant.
To simplified, this foundation is to bring out the best of your skin with radiant and glow.
The cons:
– you have to wait the foundation to dry
– it might not suitable with some people skin tone since they have limited colours
– yes, it’s expensive.
PS: This machine was Pac Macgrath idea and it was popular in the runway about 3 years ago…I heard this foundation used in the first Twilight, when the makeup artist want to create a natural look without overpowering and a lot of scene that got rain, this foundation wont smudge since it waterproof. That’s why you have take it off with makeup remover.
Please tell me where I can buy the foundation refills for SK-II airbrush– OB3 — or close to fair caucasion skin with a little yellow. I have used it since 2009, and never want to wear anything else. Unfortunately, can not find anywhere. I will buy it from any place. Please respond.
AJ
@Phyllis – I found out that this foundation has been discontinued for about 5-6 months now. Because I used to live in the UK and when I got back here during the summer (July) it was no longer for sale. I am truly upset as I really wanted to try this. Also, do you think I am more suited to OP-1 or OP-3? I am in between NC20 and NW20.
Aretha,
Good news – I just spoke to someone from SK-II over here and currently there are no plans to pull out the foundation which means you can get someone here to get it for you =)
As for the color, I’d say go for OP-3. I’ve never seen how light OP-1 is but OP-3 is just right for my NC30 skin and by that, I really hope it’d be a teeny bit darker. Plus if you read Allegra’s comment above, OP-1 seems really light. It’s always better to go darker than lighter when it comes to foundation.
thanks phyllis! =) i’ll try and see who I can get to CP this for me. thanks so much for your help!
I bought this foundation from the Harrods website and love it! I’ve got OP-1 which turned out to be a nice match (I’m MAC NC15-20). It’s the most expensive foundation I’ve ever bought, but it’s also the best I’ve tried. It gave me the smooth, glowy, natural finish that I’ve been looking for for years.
Hi Phyllis, I just started using SK II Airtouch Foundation this month. I received it as a gift from my niece. I love it so much that I think this is my HG. Unfortunately, I just found out that this Air Touch Foundation kit and refills have been discontinued in North America this month. Where do you think I can buy my refills. I use OB4 shade. Thank you very much.
Maria,
The Airtouch Foundation is still being carried in Asia and Europe. Your best bet would be Ebay.
Hi guys,
I absolutely LOVE the SK-II Air Touch foundation!! I was using the BR-6 shade and I had never felt so ‘gorgeously airbrushed’ before! It’s also so easy to use. Unfortunately I found out that this Air Touch Foundation kit and refills have been discontinued in UK. Where does anyone think I can buy my refills abroad? And how, just via eBay?
I will pray for your lifelong happiness if you help me on this, I am desperate!
Love to all
Dani
London UK
Hi guyz . I’m a MAC nc35. What colour wud suit me?
I’m incredibly disappointed about the discontinuation of Air Touch. It’s the best foundation I have ever used in my life.
I’m trying to persuade as many other disappointed customers as possible to contact SK II via their website to let them know how much we love Air Touch, how disappointed we feel now that it’s no longer being made and how much we want them to start producing it again.
If enough people do this, we might get them to change their mind.
Yeahh Susan, I have been doing exactly so! Guess what, their SK-II live chat is closed at 8.30am London UK time, i.e. 4.30 pm Japan time…and yet the website says: ‘Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm Eastern Time’. However I sent them an email…
Another thing: have you (or has any of you) compared the Dinair Airbrush System with SK-II Airtouch? What does anybody think?
Love you all!
Dani xx
hi, has anyone tried refilling their skip air touch foundation pods with any other foundation? and if so– how did you do it and did it work? what kind of foundation was it?
also- where can one purchase if they are in u.s.?
I would love to still buy this…where do I get it?