What are your best face-painting recommendations?

radioamy — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:47:29 -0800

What are your tips for face painting? I'm not talking about fancy theatrical or costume painting, just your average person decorating kids' faces with hearts, stars, etc. Background:

I just got back from Night Out Against Crime, where my friend and I were the designated face painters. It was fun and went pretty well but I think we need to up the quality of our supplies. I bought cheap face paint from Party City. I used generic make up applicators. The paint-style stuff pretty goopy and hard to use, and the crayon-type sticks didn't show up very well. Also the stuff doesn't really dry so it gets sweaty and smudgy.

I'll probably be doing this again next year, so I wanted to ask the hive mind for advice.

Actual Question:

What supplies would you recommend? I can't spend a ton of money (this was a work-sponsored event and we're a non-profit) but clearly $6.99 for the face paint and $3 for the applicators isn't quite enough! I don't need to be painting elaborate shimmering butterfly masks or anything, but I'm hoping y'all can recommend some products or techniques that would make things go a little more smoothly next time!

Online or US brick-and-mortar retailers are most appreciated.

Black like me

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 09:50:35 -0800

I'm white. The character I am dressing up as for Halloween happens to be black. Face paint? I think most people will understand the costume regardless of my skin color.

However, would it be beyond the pale to paint myself black? (My face and hands, basically.) I see arguments for both sides of this, but I want your opinion.

Why should I, or why shouldn't I do this?

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What are your best face-painting recommendations?

Black like me