Airbrush Your Body with Cover & Glow Makeup
Quick answer: To get an airbrushed look on your body, exfoliate and moisturise first, then apply a body makeup in thin layers with a brush, working one section at a time, and let it dry fully before you dress. Thin Lizzy Body Perfector Cover & Glow Makeup is a lightweight, buildable body makeup that helps cover the look of veins, age spots, bruises and uneven tone with a dewy glow, and it washes off at the end of the day.
Plenty of women love wearing dresses, shorts and sleeveless tops but feel self-conscious about their legs and arms. Visible veins, bruises, age spots, uneven tone or patchy colour can make you reach for tights or a cardigan. Body makeup gives you an even, glowing finish in minutes, with no waiting for colour to develop. Here's how it works and how to get a smooth, natural result.
What Is Body Makeup?
Body makeup is like a foundation for your legs, arms and décolletage. It sits on the surface of the skin to add colour, even out tone and help cover the look of marks you'd rather not show. Unlike self-tan, which develops over several hours and fades over days, body makeup works instantly and washes off with soap and water. That makes it handy for a special event, a night out or simply a day when you want your legs to look their best.
What Makes Cover & Glow Different?
Many body makeups are either sheer and glowy or heavy and flat. Body Perfector aims for both coverage and glow: it has light-reflecting pigments for a dewy, radiant finish, with coverage you can build where you need it.
- Coverage you can build: one thin layer evens out tone, and a second layer helps cover the look of veins, bruises, birthmarks, stretch marks and even tattoos.
- A dewy, glowing finish: illuminating pigments catch the light, so skin looks radiant rather than flat.
- Stays put: it dries fast and is designed to be sweat, water, transfer and smudge resistant once dry, so it won't mark your clothes or sheets.
- Easy on tricky areas: it blends smoothly over knees, ankles and feet, where self-tan can go patchy.
Why Body Makeup Can Look Patchy
The biggest cause of a patchy finish is the skin underneath. Dry patches on knees, elbows, ankles and shins soak up product faster and catch on flakes. Greasy moisturiser can stop body makeup from gripping. And applying too much at once leaves streaks. Good prep and thin layers fix all three.
Our Picks
Body Perfector Cover & Glow Makeup
Best for: helping cover the look of veins, age spots, bruises and uneven tone on legs and arms.
A lightweight, buildable body makeup with illuminating pigments for a dewy, radiant finish. It glides on smoothly, dries fast and is designed to resist sweat, water and transfer once dry. Use it on your legs, arms, décolletage or anywhere you'd like a more even look, or mix a little with your foundation so your face matches your body.
- Lightweight, buildable coverage
- Dewy, glowing finish
- Fast drying, sweat and water resistant
- Four shades, from fair to dark
Blurring Brush
Best for: blending body makeup evenly, without streaks.
A velvet-touch brush designed for streak-free, even coverage with liquid formulas. It makes it easier to buff Body Perfector smoothly into knees, ankles and other tricky spots, and it keeps your hands cleaner too.
- Velvet-touch texture
- Streak-free, even blending
- Also great with liquid foundation
How to Apply Body Makeup for an Airbrushed Finish
- Exfoliate: the night before, or a few hours ahead, gently exfoliate your legs and arms, focusing on knees, ankles and elbows.
- Remove hair if you like: do this a few hours ahead so your skin has time to settle.
- Moisturise and wait: use a light moisturiser and give it 10 to 15 minutes to absorb. Then make sure your skin is clean and dry.
- Shake well: the glow pigments need to be mixed through for an even colour.
- Work in sections: apply a small amount at a time and blend with a brush or clean hands in long, smooth strokes or small circles.
- Go light on dry areas: knees, ankles and feet only need a very thin layer.
- Build where you need it: wait a minute, then add a second thin layer over veins or bruises.
- Let it dry: give it a couple of minutes to dry completely before dressing, then wash your hands.
Tips for a Natural-Looking Result
- Choose your shade carefully: pick a shade close to your natural skin for an everyday look, or one step deeper for a soft tan look.
- Mix shades: blending two shades lets you fine-tune the colour.
- Match your face: a little mixed with your foundation helps your face and body look the same tone.
- Remove it properly: at night, wash it off with soap or body wash and a washcloth.
- Patch test: if your skin is sensitive, try a small area first.
For smoother skin before you apply, see our guides to creating the perfect shower routine and the pros and cons of epilators.
What Customers Say
"Great coverage, purchased the blurring brush also, product just glides on, easy process, my skin looks much smoother and even toned once applied, stays on well!"
Claire T., Thin Lizzy customer (Body Perfector)
"Fantastic product that looks light, not heavy, yet gives great coverage."
Simone M., Thin Lizzy customer (Body Perfector)
"Works like it says it does. Nice colour. Didn’t rub off on my clothes."
Leanne H., Thin Lizzy customer (Body Perfector)
Read all Body Perfector Cover & Glow Makeup reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is body makeup the same as fake tan?
No. Body makeup gives instant colour and coverage and washes off, while self-tan develops over several hours and fades over days. Body makeup is also designed to cover the look of veins, bruises and age spots, which self-tan can't do.
Will body makeup rub off on my clothes?
Body Perfector is designed to resist transfer once it's fully dry. Give it a couple of minutes before dressing, and keep the layer light on areas that rub.
Can body makeup cover veins and bruises?
It helps cover the look of veins, bruises, age spots, stretch marks and uneven tone. Build a second thin layer over areas that need more coverage.
Can I use Body Perfector on my face?
Yes. You can mix a little with your foundation, or use it instead of foundation for a glow that matches your body.
Does body makeup protect my skin from the sun?
No. Body makeup is for colour and coverage only. If you're heading outdoors, apply a separate sunscreen and let it absorb before your body makeup.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy body makeup in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
An airbrushed look on your legs and arms comes down to good prep and thin layers. Exfoliate, moisturise, let it sink in, then build Body Perfector gradually for an even, glowing finish that lasts until you wash it off.
