What's your choice in paints?

[saphireSue]

I use paradise mostly with some snazaroo.

But when I first started I use wal-mart face paints, they're not ideal but they are safe and intended for the face.

[stitches]

I use Snazaroo. A friend has switched to Paradise but I looked on the maker's website and they say you need to clean the brushes between customers. It's hard to be fast that way. I'm down to a 4 minute full face (using sponges and brushes). It would take at least two minutes to clean everything between people. Snazaroo has an antibacterial built in and anyone using their paints is covered under their guarantee / warranty / whatever-you-call-it provided you only use their products. I do wish their metalics were as good as mehron's silver but I haven't tried them in a while either. Maybe it's time I try them again.

[GiGi]

I use Paradise and Wolfe Brothers.

GiGi

[stitches]

Wolfe brothers? I never heard of that one. Please, tell me about it.

[GiGi]

Wolfe Brothers was made by 2 brothers from Florida that do alot of special effects type stuff. It is highly pigmented and a little thicker than most face paints. I mostly use their black and white as it is awesome for line work. You don't have to dip back in the paint very often. They have wonderful neon colors that glow in a black light (Great for night time events) and their metallics really show up well. Here is their web address. www.heretoserveyou.com/Wolfefx/ They are a little pricey but a little goes a long way. It lasts alot longer than most face paints.

GiGi

[Sassafras]

Right now, I really can't justify spending a lot of money on paints, especially since my face painting gigs are sporadic.

I've been using a trick that fellow Red Cross crony of mine uses. I mix a bit of acrylic paint with a good-quality body lotion. I think this time I used Neutrogena. Since the paint is non-toxic anyway, it's safe for most folks and the lotion will help keep the skin from drying out and/or staining.

There are two nice things about using this kind of paint. One, acrylic paints are extremely cheap. The brand I get is only 44 cents a bottle. And two, I can get whatever colors I want. No having to mix up colors while I'm there. I just get an extra container, mix the color with the lotion and I'm golden.

It is pretty messy, though, because I'm using pill bottles. I'm on the lookout for a better solution for storage and carrying.

[Willace-the-Clown]

I use Snazaroo it works very well for me but did melt some when i was in the hot sun face painteing at my last gig

[GiGi]

I belong to a face painting forum as well and they are very against using acrylics. They said it is very dangerous. I guess there have been people that have very adverse reactions to the paint. I'm not sure why that is but you could check it out at the Snazaroo web site. I'm not trying to be a busy body, just wanted to let you know what I've read.

GiGi

[saphireSue]

a cheep alternative is Palmers Face paints, our local walmart has started carrying the large sizes which are film canistar size. I use them to practice and it's what I started out with. About $3.oo a set [6 colors I think] the smaller set has more choices.], they're in the craft section around the cloth. and sewing, not near toys.

[stitches]

I have to agree with Gigi on this one. Although acrylics are non-toxic they are not hypo-allergenic. Face paints are regulated like cosmetics and acrylics just aren't approved by the FDA for use on skin.

Plus, after a day of crafting, I sometimes have to scrub hard to get acrylics off my fingers. I cringe at the thought of it on my face!

You are smart to mix lotion in it, but I'd still recommend face paint over acrylics.