A Beginner's Guide to Facepainting

Make your parties magical with Snazaroo Face Paints! Unshackle their imagination and transform your party guests into fantastical characters; from terrifying tigers, to fairy princesses and even cheeky monkeys! There are a range of Snazaroo Face Painting Kits available, so there will be a set for you regardless of which characters you wish to create. See below for our beginners guide to facepainting.

You don't have to be the next da Vinci to create a fun face painting. With Snazaroo kits there are simple, easy to follow instructions so you can create fun paintings step-by-step. If you're not very confident practice with a few simple designs first and build up to more complex work when you are comfortable. Before parties keep a pamphlet handy with all the designs you have practiced so children can pick from the ones you are most comfortable painting. You can have hours of fun and creativity unleashing your child's wildest dreams, and all in the knowledge that when the party is over everything can be cleaned away with soap and warm water! Your guests can be returned to normal with no tears!

It is important that before you start painting you check that the child/children have no skin allergies or infections that could be aggravated by the face paint. Although Snazaroo face paints are professional quality, non-toxic and are put through rigorous testing, never paint anyone's face if any kind of skin problem is suspected. Before you apply the face paint it is advisable that a spot test is performed. All you need to do is add a little paint to the inner arm, elbow or wrist, leave for approximately 60 minutes to see if a reaction develops. If there is a reaction then do not use the paint on the person tested.

What Do I Need to Start Face Painting?

You can paint a fantastic face from the first time you pick up a sponge or paint brush. With just a few paints and strokes you can transform your model's face into a work of art and make your children's wildest dreams come to life. With a little practice, you'll soon be creating more complex and challenging designs. It isn't necessary to buy vast amounts of expensive equipment to get started with facepainting, but the following items will be essential to your craft!

Essential Face Painting tools

1. Water-based Face Paints: Our Snazaroo face painting kits contain a selection of individual pots withcolours that match a particular theme. Each pack has a good array of colours that can be mixed together to create new shades.
2. Sponges: The best sponge to use is a Snazaroo High Density Sponge or a high quality, dense cosmetic sponge. This type of sponge will give you the best coverage and will limit any streaking. Cutting the sponges into wedges and shapes can help you customise your tools to better fit your face painting technique. Fine edges can be used for detail and broad edges for covering large areas.
3. Brushes: Brushes are excellent if you are looking to paint fine details. Snazaroo brushes are made from synthetic Toray fibres which is one of the best types of fibre as it gives lots of control. Using a synthetic also makes them much more affordable than natural hair brushes.
4. Bowl of water: Having a bowl of water close by will make it much easier to rinse your tools.

Other Useful Accessories

1. Glitter Gels: Glitter Gels, although not essential, can radically transform your face painting practice. You may find that some of your models take great joy in watching your designs sparkle! Gels are included in some kits and packs including the Snazaroo Ultimate Party Pack.
2. Glitter Dusts: As with Glitter Gels, it is debatable whether that are absolutely essential, but adding a little glitter dust here and there can really add another dimension to your designs.
3. Hair Bands and Clips: Keeping a stock of hair ties, clips and head bands close by will make it easier to keep the hair out of your model's face.
4. Small Towel: Keeping a small towel handy will help you keep your hands and tools clean and dry.
5. Stencils: If you're not comfortable creating designs freehand stencils will definitely be useful!
6. Mirror: This way your client will be able to admire your handiwork!

Preparing Your Workspace

Arrange your face paints on a clean towel and ensure that you have a good supply of water nearby for washing your brushes and sponges between each application. It is also a good idea to have a supply of hair ties, clips and headbands near by to pin back to hear of the people you are painting to make the painting process as easy as possble.

There is no need to prep the skin beforehand with moisturisers as they can interfere with the face paint; it is best applied with water to clean, dry skin. It is always a good idea to apply a base colour first, using a damp sponge; it is important that the sponge is not too wet as it can cause the paint to become streaky. To achieve a darker base coat, allow the first coat to dry thoroughly and then apply a second coat over the top. If you are painting a design that has a mixture of both light and dark colours, it is always advisable to paint the lighter colours first if at all possible. Snazaroo Face Paints are not just restricted to use on the face; they can also be used for body painting. When applying colour with a brush, rather than a sponge, it is important to work in even, continuous strokes and avoid a tendency to sketch. It may take a little practice, but the best results are always achieved when applied with confidence!

Maintaining Your Face Painting Kit

We recommend that you keep to the following instructions to ensure that your face painting kit is kept in tip-top condition to ensure a long useable life.

1. It is important to store your face painting kit out of direct sunlight or areas that get particularly warm. Heat will change the consistency of the paint so it is vital that they are kept in a cool, dark environment.
2. Make sure that your face painting containers and tools are cleaned after every session so they are ready for use during your next face painting activity. Your materials should be stored in a dry, clean state with all lids firmly on the containers.
3. Once you have finished your session, it is best to remove any moisture that remains on the surface of the paints. To remove it simply wipe the surface of the paint with a paper towel and make sure the lid is replaced firmly.
4. Brushes should be washed in warm, soapy water and rinsed thoroughly to remove all traces of paint. They should be left to dry completely before being put into storage.
5. Sponges should also be rinsed thoroughly in warm, soapy water and left to dry completely before putting away.
6. Any face paint that has been open for 18 months or longer should be discarded.
7. Any damaged, badly stained brushes and sponges should be thrown away and replaced.

Tips for Face Painting at Parties

Follow these handy tips and tricks to make the most of your paints at parties!

1. Always make sure you have a good supply of water nearby; there's nothing worse than running back and forth fetching water.
2. Use hair bands and clips to keep long hair out of your guests' face.
3. Sponges can be cut into wedges to give you a fine edge for detailed application and a broad edge for covering large areas.
4. Rest one hand on your model's head to keep their head steady.
5. Apply lighter colours first and always allow the first layer to dry before applying the next.
6. Try to keep your designs simple; small children will not want to sit still for long!
7. Keep your strokes even and continuous and avoid the temptation to sketch!
8. If you are not confident then buy or create some stencils to use as a template for quick and easy designs.
9. Can't find the colour you're looking for? Don't worry! Snazaroo paints are all intermixable, so mix and match your colours for the perfect mixing palette.
10. If your model is nervous about having their face painted then describing what you are doing may help calm them and make it a fun experience!
11. Always have a mirror handy so your model can see your finished painting!
12. Don't just restrict your use of Snazaroo paints to faces, ask if your model would like added designs and flourishes on their hands, arms or anywhere else!
13. Remember, face painting is not just for children. Face painting yourself, friends and family at parties can add a whole other level of fun!