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Luminess Air

Luminess Air

Overall Rating

1.6

282 Customer Reviews

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Summary

The Luminess Air airbrushing system lets you create a flawless makeup look at home. However, high prices and an unclear “rent to try” program might be a reason to stay away.

Pros

  • Customer reviews indicate the product works as described for applying makeup
  • Lots of makeup types and shades to choose from
  • Long-lasting coverage when used correctly
  • Can be more subtle than traditional makeup

Cons

  • Makeup containers are small, expensive compared to competitors
  • It takes time to perfect the application technique
  • “Rent To Try” pricing system tricks many people
  • Difficult to get refunds

Luminess Air Review: What You Should Know

By Lydia Noyes

Updated on: May 1, 2020

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Special occasion makeup can now be achieved at home, thanks to the Luminess Air airbrushing system. At least, that’s what this online cosmetics company wants you to believe.

Luminess Air sells airbrushing systems with a rainbow of makeup shades and styles to help you achieve your most flawless look yet.

Can the brand deliver on its claims to give you your best face at home? Learn here what we think of this home airbrushing kit, and whether better options are available.

Understanding Airbrushing

No longer just for special occasions, Airbrushing is a burgeoning style of makeup application that makes it possible to give yourself a model’s complexion at home.

The idea is that you spray a fine coating of makeup onto your skin with a designated application gun that lets you create subtle shading and even toning without any clumps or buildup.

However, Airbrushing isn’t ideal for everyone and has some downsides compared to traditional makeup application. Here’s what you need to know about the pros and cons of this technique:

Pros:

  • Lasts All Day: As it’s applied to the face in a fine sheen that doesn’t build up, airbrushed makeup tends to last longer and is more water-resistant than traditional makeup. This means it likely won’t leave your face until you wash it off with soap.

  • Creates a Flawless Finish: Airbrush guns make it possible to apply makeup in an even layer that creates a smoother finish than you can get with brushes or sponges. This creates a polished look for taking photos.

  • A Little Goes a Long Way: Thanks to their precision, airbrush guns use less makeup, and you don’t need to worry about wasting any that gets absorbed in your brush or sponge instead of your face.

  • Easy to Layer: Airbrushing lets you apply small amounts of makeup at a time, which makes it possible to layer lots of colors together seamlessly. Each application will also dry quickly so you can build up your look in less time.

Cons:

  • Can Be Hard to Re-Blend: Though airbrushed makeup tends to last, if you need a touch-up, it can be more challenging to re-blend the layers to replicate the original flawless look. In most cases, you’ll be better off redoing your full face.
  • May Look Flaky on Dry Skin: When applied on well-hydrated skin, airbrushed makeup has a smooth finish. However, if you deal with dryness, it might emphasize a flaky texture more so than traditional makeup, which tends to be creamier.

  • Shade Options Can Be Limited: If you commit to airbrushing, you are limited to the foundation shades offered by the company in question. This limits your options compared to standard makeup.

Overall, airbrushed makeup can create a magazine-cover-worthy look using less product (and often less time) than traditional application methods. Many people choose to airbrush for special events makeup, especially if they plan to be photographed.

However, the look doesn’t work for everyone and may emphasize your skin’s imperfections if you tend to deal with dryness.

Luminess Air Product Line and Options

It’s possible to purchase a complete Airbrush kit from Luminess or to purchase cosmetic products individually:

Airbrush System

To buy an all-in-one airbrushing kit from Luminess Air, you’ll start by choosing your shade group from colors ranging from “fair” to “rich.” Then you’ll be offered a 4-in-1 trial offer that includes the following:

  • Luminess Airbrush system
  • Two Airbrush Foundations in your skin tone
  • Airbrush Blush in your skin tone
  • Skin Brightening Airbrush Love highlighter

You’ll also receive free gifts in the order (Infinity Wear Mascara, 4-Piece Lip Palette, and 4-Piece Eyeshadow Palette), which you can keep even if you end up returning your trial order.

You’ll pay $39.95 to try the set for thirty days, if you don’t return it during that time, you’ll then be charged five monthly payments of $59.99, plus $4.95 processing fees per payment.

At publication, Luminess Air ran a promotion for a $19.95 trial and three payments of $39.99, plus processing, for a savings of 60%. Alternatively, the system is also available from Amazon.

The Luminess Air Auto-Delivery Program

All Luminess Airbrush system purchases will automatically enroll you in an auto-delivery program where you will receive cosmetic refills consistently. This comes to $39.95 per delivery and includes a complete refill of all makeup included in your initial purchase.

You can change your delivery frequency or cancel it altogether by contacting customer care at (822) 749-5777.

Airbrush Cosmetics

You can also purchase Luminess Makeup separate from the airbrush kit. The company sells a variety of blushes, bronzers, concealers, color correctors, eyeshadows, highlighters, brow and root treatments, tanning products, and ColorFX skin and hair dye.

Most available products range from $10–$70. Some are designed for use with an Airbrush system, while others act as standalone products.

In most cases, you can sign up for a VIP auto-ship program to save 15% off the purchase price and receive automatic deliveries every 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on your preference.

Luminess Air

Buy Luminess Air from Amazon:

Luminess Air Basic Airbrush System Starter Kit costs $148.86 on Amazon. Shipping is free. Foundation and other accessories are available from Amazon as well.

$148.86 from Amazon

Refund Policy

Luminess Air will accept returns within the 30-day trial period, so long as the product is in new or like-new condition with all original packaging.

If you return your order for the complete airbrushing kit, you won’t be billed for the subsequent payments, but you will not be reimbursed for your initial trial cost. The company considers this a “rent to try” fee, and it doesn’t factor it towards the overall purchase price.

To initiate a return, you must contact the Customer Care department at (888) 793-7474 for a return authorization number. Your order will also need to ensure that the product makes it to the company’s processing facility within the 30-day trial period or ten business days, whichever is later.

Merchandise that arrives up to seven days later will be subject to a 25% restocking fee, and anything after 14 days will be refused and returned to you at your expense.

Analysis of Customer Reviews

More than 250 customers have left reviews for Luminess Air here on HighYa. They average 1.6 stars, and just 15% of users state that they would share the system with a friend. Here’s a summary of some of their most insightful comments:

Common Compliments:

  • Easy way to enhance your makeup game, regardless of current skill level
  • Some considered it worth the price
  • Customer service is helpful with makeup questions

Common Complaints:

  • System pricing is deceptive with the trial offer and makeup auto-ship program
  • Difficult to qualify for refunds, must pay to ship products back to the company
  • Short return period
  • Company may be deleting negative reviews from its social media platforms
  • Available color tones don’t work with all skin types

Popular Alternatives to Luminess Air

For those who love experimenting with makeup, home airbrushing systems make a lot of sense for taking things to the next level. Two brands worth considering besides the Luminess Air system include Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush foundations and the Temptu Perfect Canvas airbrush line.

Unlike Luminess, each Sephora Perfection Mist Foundation is a standalone product – no airbrush gun required. Each aerosol canister costs about $28 for 2.5-oz, and you can choose from a half-dozen shades (tailored towards those with lighter skin tones). This makeup is designed for spraying directly on the face, and you can further blend it in with the brand’s brushes.

What’s nice about these foundations is that you can try our airbrushing without committing to an expensive application system. Likewise, you’ll pay less for each shade than for the Luminess foundation, which is approximately $44 per half an ounce.

The Temptu system is a closer comparison to Luminess. The company offers more than two dozen shades ($36 per ounce) that go with the company’s airbrush kits. These start at $195 for a basic system and go up to $395 for the Deluxe Airbrush Kit, which includes eyeshadows and dozens of foundation shades. Customer reviews for this system average four stars on Amazon, and we like that you can buy it off the company website without signing up for a trial program or auto-ship subscription.

Key Takeaway:
Both Sephora and Temptu offer airbrush foundation systems for less money per ounce than Luminess and with a more transparent pricing system. Unless you already know that you love airbrushing and don’t mind signing up for reoccurring payments, we suggest considering one of these brands instead of Luminess Air.

The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?

Luminess Air promises to transform your makeup application process by making it easy to achieve airbrushed perfection at home. However, this brand comes up short due to its high cost and confusing pricing plan.

Negative customer reviews for this product indicate that many people don’t realize they are signing up for a “rent to try” program with their first payment and that they will need to pay far more in the coming months to keep the system. If you aren’t happy with your purchase, this initial cost is nonrefundable.

Luminess Air might still be worth considering if other, cheaper options weren’t available. But there are better ways to start airbrushing your makeup at home, and we suggest you try one of these brands instead unless you already know that you love Luminess cosmetic products and aren’t afraid to commit to them financially.

Customer Reviews

1.6 Stars out of 282 Reviews
5 Star:10% 4 Star:2% 3 Star:0% 2 Star:6% 1 Star:79%
15% Recommend This Company
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Posted on Oct 16, 2016

A big scam!

By Steve Jenkins, Naples, FL, Verified Reviewer

My girlfriend did not like the product and we got the first delivery

of addition product. I called and canceled the account and got a return address for the last delivery.

I returned the product by mail.

I thought that this would be the end of the story. NOT. I find out they charged my account for two additional payments after I canceled. I call them and they told me that they have no record of my call or cancellation and they never received the return.

SCAM. Greedy liars. I am going to make as much noise as possible so that fewer people get ripped off.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 197 People Have Voted

Posted on Aug 20, 2016

Not worth the price

By Lori, Texas, Verified Reviewer

I ordered before looking at the reviews and regretted it. I ordered it for $19.99 not realizing it would be another 8 dollars in shipping plus 5 payments, making it a total of just under 330.00. If you buy an air brush from Walmart and just buy the makeup, you are much better off. They say less is more but it took way more than eight drops to cover my face. I have some slight discoloration but even three cups of 8 drops wasn't enough. Another thing, even after the makeup dried it didn't feel good. It felt tacky. I don't know if that's because I didn't use to sealer which was not included. Do your research. The Dinair is cheaper at 199.00 and they have a lot more products like eye shadow, eyeliner and hair color. They also have stencils. There are other air brushes for 99 dollars with other brands. Check Youtube for tutorials from other brands and even how to use airbrush other than the cosmetic brands.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 185 People Have Voted

Posted on Mar 18, 2018

Don't...just don't

By Sharon Luna, Santa Cruz, CA, Verified Reviewer

Here is an update to my previous paragraph. I thought maybe I missed something so I looked back through their site and low and behold, found where I could actually upload a picture of myself and a "professional" would help figure out how to color match my skin. Yay! So I sent these embarrassing pics of myself with no makeup, whatever, and you know what I got back from the "professional?" One sentence: "I recommend you choose our product line for fair skin." Wow, thank God that after 52 years of blond hair, blue eyes and 100 million-billion SPF sunscreen I finally found a "professional" to tell me to choose shades designed for fair skin.

Ladies remember, the women in the videos are not trying to do it themselves, you know because of the one gal who says "IF I can get these results I'm definitely GOING TO TRY THIS AT HOME." They are having real professionals do it for them for the commercial. They are not doing it themselves.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 145 People Have Voted

Posted on Feb 9, 2017

Scam, fraud, unethical company!

By Chanell Brandenburg, California, Verified Reviewer

I called in late one night after seeing an infomercial and thought I was getting something really neat for $34.99. Little did I know that when I received it, I would continue to be billed for a system costing over $300.00.

They also started sending me additional makeup and deducting money from my account unauthorized. I tried to cancel prior to the 30-day so-called "money back guarantee" and to return everything (which was still unopened), and all I could do is get a response from a so-called "stylist" by text. By that time they had deducted three payments of $78, plus payments for makeup that kept getting shipped for $34.99.

I went to my bank to dispute this. My bank originally gave me back the money. I had to pay to ship the machine and products back, and when it was all said and done, my bank ended up re-charging me for the reimbursement because they lied and stated that I went online to order and the website states the process and info about the payments! Oh, and by the way, they charged me a $75.00 restocking fee for returning it! So now I'm frustrated, out over $300.00, and I am sure I am just one of many like this. This is a sick, unethical company.

P.S. The only reason my bank allowed the charges is because of specific laws and regulations they have to meet, and apparently this company has found the loophole in becoming an expert in fraud.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 142 People Have Voted

Posted on Dec 29, 2017

This is a complete rip off!

By Terry Clem, Clearwater, FL, Verified Reviewer

Warning, warning, warning!

I ordered this on a Monday night and was told that it was a 30-day money back guarantee, along with a bunch of free stuff. I got it two weeks later and all I did was open the box to see what was in it, and I decided not to even use it because it reminded me of a car painter's spray gun. I never used one thing in the box.

It was during the Thanksgiving Day week, so I held off trying to send it back. But, when I called them to get the address to send it back, I was told that I wouldn't get my money back. I would only get my money back if I didn't return it in 30 days, which would have been $150 if I decided to pay for it (for the machine). If I wanted to return the item, it was less the $39.95, and that I would have to pay for the return shipping as well. If you used it and kept it, you would be charged over $150 for it, plus the $29.95 (so much for the 30-day guarantee).

When I sent it back, not only was I out the $29.95 for the so-called 30-day guarantee, but I had to spend another $10 for shipping to send it back. So I'm out the $39.95, and they got the whole thing back (I got nothing in return). And I never used any of it at all.

Stay away from this junk. This is the biggest scam I've ever seen.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 142 People Have Voted

Posted on Mar 27, 2016

Total rip-off. Would give zero stars if I could

By Stacey Townsend, Tonopah, AZ, Verified Reviewer

I took forever to receive the product but didn't take them long to start deducting $400 from my account.

I took 3-4 of the little cups to apply makeup. It came out so fast that I couldn't move the wand fast enough to get a decent coverage. Customer service was so rude to me because they thought I should like the product and told me that it was my fault, not the product's that it didn't work as they said it would.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 136 People Have Voted

Posted on Dec 15, 2016

I'm reporting this company to BBB

By Brenda, Virginia, Verified Reviewer

Luminess, I suggest you get your act together or your company will fold. Read all these complaints. Scammers! Blatant lies on your pricing advertised. Ridiculous shipping delays. Terrible customer service. Good hell, time for new ownership with an ounce of pride.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 128 People Have Voted

Posted on Nov 9, 2017

Fraud

By Jolynne Tranberg, Rockwall, TX, Verified Reviewer

If you like a product that falls apart in first use and you like to be totally misled on product pricing, then this product is for you.

In the advertisement, it showed a special of $49.00 that included the airbrush system and some product. I was not aware that they were going to charge my card every 15 days of added charges. In one month and seven days, I was charged $245.12. CRAZY!

I never write reviews, but this just gets on my last nerve. After calling and complaining I am returning this crappy product for a full refund. I hope that goes without a blemish. If all goes well, I will credit Anna with good customer service. However, I will be returning the product tomorrow and won't know if they actually credited my account for awhile.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 124 People Have Voted

Posted on Nov 19, 2017

Beware! Complete rip off, terrible items missing

By Nancy Este, Ontario, Canada, Verified Reviewer

I ordered The Complete Stylus Kit and liquid makeup. The kit shows items included. However, the items arrived missing all the parts, leaving this purchase useless.

I called customer service who refused to help or acknowledge issues. I spoke to Laura. She transfers me to after attempts to return are refused. No one answers and I'm disconnected.

Yet another online ripoff with false advertising and no recourse for the consumer to receive what was paid for.

Beware! Save your money, time and aggravation. Avoid frustration and disappointment and never purchase anything from this company.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 120 People Have Voted

Posted on Jan 3, 2018

Ripoff

By Denise LaFrenere, Ontario, Canada, Verified Reviewer

I was going to order the TV offer which claimed it was $19.95 plus shipping and handling with a promo code, "TRYSILK." There was no place for the promo code, and at the end, the total was over $70.00. I DID NOT go to check out!

Do they really need to try and rip people off?

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 118 People Have Voted

Posted on Dec 15, 2017

Total rip off company

By Kathy Galbreath, Roundup, MT, Verified Reviewer

I ordered the product for their 30-day trial. It cost $19.99 plus shipping. When I received the product, the wand was defective and wouldn't spray. It took three days to get through to someone to help me. Another one was sent, and it took one week to get to me. It didn't work either!

I called and the rep wouldn't listen when I told her I was totally annoyed with the product and I wanted to send it back. She kept offering free items. I've had enough of their free items. I finally got the return number and was told, it must be sent by ground and insured or I'd be responsible for any damage. It also had to be returned by the end of my trial period, even though, I had to wait another week for a new wand.

Don't order from these people. They are truly a bunch of crooks.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 117 People Have Voted
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