What Kind of Paints Should I Use for Face Painting?
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(Okay, for all of you who have already subscribed to our free lessons or bought our face painting guide, you’ll already know this – but this is for the complete newbies, so don’t worry…I’ll have more advanced info up here soon 
)
Using the right face paints is crucial to face painting. And choosing the wrong face paint is a common mistake that new face painters make. A lot of new face painters will just go to their local arts and crafts shop and get crafts paints, or cheap water colors thinking that it’s all the same thing. Not many people realize that you can’t just use any old paints on human skin!
Even most non-toxic acrylics just aren’t safe! It doesn’t matter if they’re water based, acrylic, or oil - if they weren’t made especially for the face and body there will be a high risk of allergic reactions breaking out on the skin. And you don’t want that to happen!
The only face paints you should use are products that have been specially made for face or body painting – it is advised that you stick with water based paints (made for the skin) because they wash off easily.
Don’t run the risk of using the wrong face paints on someone because if something goes wrong, (and it probably will) even if you have insurance, they won’t cover the cost of the damages you could be facing!!
Also make sure when buying face paint to look out for whether or not they comply with various authorities in your country (e.g. U.S. FDA.) within the guidelines for use on the skin. This might sound a little obvious but you’ll be surprised at what people are doing out there!
Happy Face Painting :-)
Philadelphia Tivoli
www.FacePaintingTips.com
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July 10th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Wow Thanks! I look forward to reading it!
August 7th, 2007 at 12:57 am
[…] You need to get paints, but what kind of face paint should you get? Well first of all you can’t just use any old paint from an art store, thats for sure! You […]
April 17th, 2008 at 6:32 am
I bought alot of face paints plus many brushes,glitter,detailers,sponges,etc., hoping to have a great time at grandkids parties. I practised on all the little ones when they would come over, but there is a big problem. The paint stains their faces. I even put a thin coat of white on first. So now I have stopped doing it until I find some way to prevent the staining. Any suggestions?
April 20th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hi Diane,
Thank you for your comment/question Dianne! What brand of face paints are you using? I use Snazaroo face paints, and they don’t stain at all.
Phildelphia
May 10th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
HI PHILY I GOT MY PAINT AND UR BOOK PLUS IM DOING FACE PAINTING THIS WEEKEND WISH ME LUCK
June 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I did my first face painting party at a cancer fundraiser…all tips went to the cancer cause. Absolutely the most fun! I just wish there was more schooling and or supplies in my area.
June 28th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I am looking to paint my face to look old for a current show is there any ideas u cud plz give me of how to have ur face painted to look old? Many Thanks
June 28th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Is there plz any tips i cud have on how to paint someones face so they look like an old person?
Many Thanks x
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:42 am
Hi Natasha,
Using your white, gray and black should help you make a cool old person or a creepy one, depending on the look you’re trying to get. I’d start with white on the sponge and lightly dab it all over the face. Then use the black to make lines in the forehead, the sides of the nose & mouth and around the corner of the eyes with a thin tipped brush. Next, dab over what you’ve done very lightly with a little gray paint so the lines seem to blend into the skin. You can also use brown for liver spots (gross!) on the forehead for more effect. Follow it up with crummy, old-looking clothes, a gray wig and maybe some toothless gums (their false teeth without the teeth!) for a funny looking old person. Play around with it. Have fun trying different things. The key to it is the wrinkles and the old weather-beaten looking skin. Let me know how it turns out. Happy painting!!
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:35 am
THANK YOU ALL for the info!!
October 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I am just starting with face painting and purchased some with snazaroo. Is there a trick on how to get your paint to blend so you don’t see so many streaks. It dries quickly and I never seem to get it really smooth and blended. I thought about trying to mix some cold cream with it and see if that would help. Do you have any suggestions. I know I have seen some photos where the faces look so smooth and you don’t see any streaks. How do they achieve that?
Kristy
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:02 am
Hi,
I just want to know what is the best brand name face paint i can use? I dont want to put my kids on risk to have allergies.
Jonjon
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:52 am
Hi Jonjon,
Any of these brands are awesome!…
Snazaroo
Kryolan
Paradise/ Mehron
Wolfe Bros
Ben Nye
Happy Face Painting,
Philadelphia Tivoli
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Can these face products be purchased in the Republic of Ireland?
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Hi Nancy,
I’m pretty sure you can if you order from websites like:
www.sillyfarm.com
www.facepaintingtips.com/supplies (amazon)
They ship worldwide, so you should no trouble ordering them.
Happy Face Painting,
Philadelphia Tivoli
March 19th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
You can buy snazaroo at Cork Art Supplies and they deliver
June 18th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Have you ever actually heard of anyone with a bad reaction to craft paints? You can be allergic to face paints, too. I have used craft acrylic painting on hundreds of faces at school functions and never had a problem.