Improving My Face Painting Kit

[Sassafras]

If you're looking for a better way to keep face paint (if you're like me and can't afford the nice stuff), I've found an inexpensive solution that works like a charm.

Originally, I employed Jasper/Doc's method by putting my paint in brand-new prescription bottles. It worked pretty well, but I found it became too messy. I wanted to be able to keep the lids on the paint to prevent it from drying out, but keeping after the lids meant I got paint all over my hands.

So while browsing Hobby Lobby, I came across some little glass bottles with seals and metal clasps on them, and thought they'd work for my purposes. I'd like to post a picture, but this forum is not cooperating. No matter how I adjust my picture, it's still too big to post.

Anyway, these little jars work beautifully. Here are the pros and cons:

PROS:
1. They have a seal, so they won't leak.
2. Set up is easy...all I have to do is flip the latch.
3. They're only $1 each at Hobby Lobby!
4. I can see the color I want through the side of the container.
5. I can keep the lids on the paint, since the lid is hinged, but it's easy to get in and out of the paint.
6. Finally, NO MESS!

CONS:
1. They are glass, so they will break if clanked together (gotta keep them tightly packed.)
2. They have weight, so it makes my face painting kit a bit heavier to carry.

I also switched the kind of lotion I put in my paint. (I mix non-toxic acrylic paint with a good lotion.) Cracker Barrel sells some goat's milk lotion (Dionis) that's perfect. It makes the paint nice and smooth, not greasy and slimey, like the Neutrogena did. I was really pleased with the outcome.

Since we have other dedicated face painters here, I thought I'd share my small discoveries in case it's helpful to y'all.

[ibimus]

You also might want to keep in mind Burt's Bees Milk & Honey lotion. You can get a fairly hefty-sized bottle at Target for about $10. It's 98% natural (the unnatural part is added Vitamin E), and very good for your skin. It's also very mild.

Just an idea!

[Scruffy]

Just a question... Are people who allergic to bee stings allergic to the wax also?

[Scruffy]

Nope. The wax does not have the "venom" contained in the stinger.

Ooops! This is Sassy posting this time.

[ibimus]

It's funny to see "Scruff" answer his own posts.

And thanks for the info!

[Fitzwilly]

Wait, WAit, WAIt, WAIT! Please do not use acrylic paints for face painting. It is not safe. It is not designed for use on the skin. It is not FDA approved for use on the skin. Please check out: http://www.snazaroo.us/faqacrylics.htm Even though it is on the Snazaroo website it is a listing of comments from the face-painting list. There are Plenty of safe face paints, Snazaroo, Ben Nye MagiCakes, Paradise by Mehron, Wolfe Brothers... The list goes on. Just please DO NOT use acrylics, even if you mix them with a lotion of some sort. In fact, this is even less safe than using straight acrylics, as you do not know the chance of any reactions between the two products. If, after you read the information at this link and any other research you decide to do continue using acrylics then please make sure you have a very generous insurance policy. www.specialtyinsurance.com or www.entertainersoftheus.com I think have a Three million dollar policy for $200 or less a year. They advertise in COAI's New Calliope.

[Sassafras]

Thanks for the heads up, Fitzwilly. I hope you'll take my comments in the spirit I'm presenting them in and not be offended.

Quite frankly, I can't afford the real face paint nor the insurance. I've successfully used the mix for over a year with no complaints or problems. That's not to deny that I will ever run into a problem, but I do my best to play it safe, and so far it's been enough.

I often warn parents ahead of time that if the child is hypersensitive to paint, lotion, or other substances, then I flatly refuse to paint them. I won't paint a person whose face is broken out, scratched, or otherwise injured, either. They get a sticker instead. To date, only one person has questioned it, but when I explain that I'm adamant in providing for their safety, they usually understand.

I've been toying with changing my main sign to put stipulations such as not painting children with an allergy to red dye, or allergies to any other kind of topical product to cover my own butt. People receiving a face paint design do so at their own risk. Since I'm usually a volunteer and not a paid performer, folks don't complain too much about my supplies. It's not that I refuse to use the official face paint. It's because I simply cannot justify the expense for what is currently a hobby, not a job.

As for the FDA, they don't approve most of the herbal remedies folks shove down their throat, but it doesn't stop people from spending billions on them. That's not to negate anything you said. I realize we've become a litigious society, and some ignorant character could put up a fuss, but that's where the liability disclaimer would come in. And some folks are simply not concerned that I don't use the costly paints.

Should things improve to where we can afford official face paints and insurance, I'll jump right on it and get both. For now, I'm doing what I can with what I have.

I hope you'll understand.

[Baloo]

although I don't want to jump on a powder keg, I must put in my opinion. you can never not afford insurance of some kind. I understand the cost of volenteering your abilities, however if something goes wrong a lawer will walk right through any written disclaimer posted. events will never cover the individual if something goes wrong. I know the WCA has an inexpensive insurance policy. and it is for an entire year. being our society is so sue happy, its nice to know that for about $100 I'm not going to loose my house because somebody had taht one little out break.

[Fitzwilly]

Snazaroo has a basic kit of eight colors for $14.95 Black, white, red, blue, green, yellow, and... darn, the brain stopped.
You have to spend $100 or even $50 to get started with the right paints. At least please read http://www.snazaroo.us/faqacrylics.htm I understand where you are coming from. Money is always tight, but if anything were to happen...

[Sassafras]

Here's the thing (and thanks for all your help, Guys!), the money it would take for both the makeup and insurance would pay my gas bill.

I'm honestly not trying to be belligerent, but we simply don't have that kind of money. I go out there and volunteer for folks and trust God to protect us from the rotten eggs. Right now, that's about all I can do. If I worried about every lawsuit freak, I'd never get to volunteer at all.

It's one of those things.