Q: How do I learn to face paint?
A: The easiest way is to get a book about face painting from the library or you can buy one from Facepaint UK, we recommend either of the Usborne books if you are a beginner. Buy a few face paints, some sponges and some good quality paint brushes. Look in our online shop under 'Starter Kits' for a selection of what you will need. If you enjoy face painting and want to learn more you can sign up for an introductory level class with London School of Face Painting, the courses are great fun and very helpful.
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Q: What sort of face paint should I look for?
A: Face paints are really water based make-up. Try to buy professional quality paints, we recommend Grimas make-up as a good all-round product, but all the main brands: - Grimas, Kryolan, Paradise, Fardel and Wolfe Brothers are fine to use, and are all sold here. Wolfe Brothers FX paints are a fantastic professional product that need to be used with understanding. The sort of palette that is attached to a book on face painting is quite often a sort of coloured soap, not dangerous, but is unlikely to give the results illustrated. The book may well be excellent though. Don't be tempted by crayon sticks which tend to be grease based, drag on the skin, give a disappointing result and can be difficult to remove. Some kits produced for annual occasions such as Halloween have been known to contain paint products that are difficult to remove or stain the skin.
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Q: Are face paints safe/can I get hypoallergenic face paint?
A: All the brands on this site are professional products made to strict cosmetic standards, and adverse reactions are rare. As with all cosmetic products, some people are sensitive to some ingredients. There are no standards for the term "hypoallergenic", it is simply an unsubstantiated marketing tool used by the retail cosmetics industry. However, Grimas has made available a new product called 'Pure' which has no anti-bactericides, and provides an alternative for those sensitive to parabens and chemical preservatives (chlorine, bromine etc.) and perfumes. Also, the colours used are from the strictest category -EEC/76/768.
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Q: How do I remove face paint from skin?
A: Soap (or better still baby shampoo) and warm water on an old flannel! As the paint is water based, it needs to be removed with water. Oily or cream based removers tend to seal the colour onto the skin. Baby wipes are tempting, but contain oils and are not designed for the face.
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Q: How do I find a facepainter? A: Go to 'Painters' and 'Directory' and you will find a brief summary in icon form of all the painters listed. Click read more to find out more about each one, including pictures of some of their work, their location and other services that they offer. You could also search for say, 'balloon modelling' in the search box in the blue border (and hit the return key) if you want a facepainter that models balloons! We have a feedback facility that will operate properly once there has been time for some of our painters to get bookings from this site, and this may influence your decision, so if you book a face painter please send us your feedback.
Back to top Q: How do I book a facepainter?
A: Facepaint UK is not an agency; you deal directly with the painter you choose. You will find all their contact details, information about cost and experience as well as pictures of their work. However, many face painters will travel all over the country, if not the world, so if you have particular requirements scan the list for a painter whose details fit your requirements. If you need a face painter with particular talents such as party entertainment, advanced designs or body painting skills, it may well be worth contacting that face painter even if they are not based locally to you. You can search in 'face painter plus' if you require more than one skill, or 'hot shots' for the most excellent face painters available. For more detailed information on booking see How to Choose in the Painters section
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Q: What does a facepainter charge?
A: This varies from painter to painter and may depend on the area and their experience. We have a wide range of facepainters listed from students to 'hot shots'. The pound symbols on our Find a Facepainter database will give you an idea of the relative cost of the face painters listed. It is usually true that you get what you pay for but not always, so if you were pleasantly surprised or even if you were not, please send us feedback.
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Q: How many faces can a painter complete in an hour? A: This will depend on the artist, the customers and the designs chosen. However we have asked facepainters on the database to give us an average number of faces per hour (with a nice queue and a following wind). You will see this on one of the symbols on their page. If you expect a facepainter to work really fast the designs may suffer and the clients may be disappointed - so if you've really got lots of people at your event, think about the numbers and maybe book at least two painters. A two hour party with about 20 children may be reasonable, but don't expect a painter to do an hour and satisfy 40 guests.
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Q: Can I trust the facepainters on facepaint uk? A: We have requested very comprehensive information from all the facepainters who register with us, including examples of their work. Some aspects are more important than others to each person looking. Some painters also have links to their own website that you can look at, and the longer someone has made facepainting their career, the more likely they are to take their profession seriously, be insured etc. There are painters who are CRB checked, but this is likely to be because they are employed in another capacity elsewhere, no one can CRB check themselves! CRB checks are only valid on the date they were processed, and we do not think they are a completely reliable or useful tool. We have asked for a photo of each painter so that you know that the person you booked is the person who arrives. Everyone booking a facepainter from this site has the opportunity to give feedback which is included on the face painter's page.
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Q: How do I give feedback?
Q: When should a facepainter say 'no'?
A: It is not advisable to paint children less than three years old, babies and young infants may develop sensitivity to ingredients in the paint if it is applied too soon. Paradise paint brand states they are not suitable for children under three years old and so any one using it on children under three would not be insured.
A: If the child (or adult) has any serious food allergies or allergic reactions to soaps, skin creams, etc.
A: If the child (or adult) has any open cuts or sores on their face.
A: If the child (or adult) has a cold sore or any other infectious skin condition, or appears to have conjunctivitis or other contagious disease such as chicken pox.
A: You should not go to work if you are feeling poorly yourself; let the client know and use the database to find a facepainter who can cover your job. They will be bound to return the favour sometime.
A: If you are not offered the fee that you know you need and deserve unless there is a personal reason for wanting to support a cause. It does no one any favours.
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Q: How do I get included on the facepaint-uk database?
A: All you need to do is fill in the online registration form, pay £45 by credit card online and send it with your five photographs by email to us. Alternatively print off the form and send it with your photographs and a cheque for £45 to Website Directory, Facepaint UK, 188 Brixton Road, London SW9 6AR. You will be notified when your registration has gone through by the means you used, and you'll be able to enjoy all the benefits of membership. Your personalised page will be included in the online database.
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Q: Can I copy the face paint designs on the site? A: If you are a member you will see step by step designs and other ideas in the magazine that are designed for you to use. We also sell books that are filled with inspirational ideas. It is best to represent yourself to the public with pictures of your own work as this is closer to what they will get. Directly copying pictures from books or websites not only breaks copyright law, it may also lead to disappointing your customers. The pictures in the painters' database are copyright and cannot be used as photographs in any way without written permission. A good design is likely to be the result of talent and experience, please respect this whilst appreciating the work.
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Q: How can I get public liability insurance? A: The London School of Facepainting has an arrangement with Professional Beauty for applications from students who pass an assessment (after 3 classes) at a cost of £49.50 per annum for £2m cover. Other insurance is available from a variety of brokers who specialise in the entertainment industry. You could try Blackfriars, Simply Business or Ace Europe.
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