Face Paint

Then and Now

In ancient times, man used face paint in ritualistic ways to express his beliefs about God(s), nature, beauty, and spiritual power, as well as to mark status and signify coming of age and fertility. Pigments were created from natural substances such as charcoal, ground minerals, and plants and applied to the face and body with fingers and sticks.

Today, face paint is largely used to create body art on facial skin and is a favorite at many festivals and art fairs. The art of body painting is also practiced by professional artists, many of whom participate in competitions around the world or work in the motion picture and theater industries.

Face Paint Products

Although many artists will create body art with any type of non-toxic paints or markers, there is considerable debate over whether these substances should be used for face painting since they are formulated for use on paper and fabric, not human flesh.

Actual face paint is a cosmetic grade substance approved for use on human skin and is generally the safest material to use when creating facial art.

Cosmetic paints are typically available in pallette, stick, or crayon forms, although some paints are formulated for use with airbrushes. Water-based products tend to be more desirable than oil-based products because they can be applied more smoothly, generally cause less irritation, and wash off much more easily.

Suitable Paints

The following brands are examples of commercial face paints that are widely used because they bring good results, and have been approved safe for use in the USA and UK.

• Snazaroo
• Kryolan
• Mehron.com
• Wolfe Bros. Face Art
• Fardel

Henna, a natural plant dye, may also be used for body painting, but because the dye is able to last on the skin for weeks at a time, its use on facial skin is more limited.

Homemade Facial Paint

Here's a quick and easy recipe you can make at home.

Mix together:

1/2 teaspoon Pond's cold cream

1 teaspoon corn starch

2-3 drops food coloring

Add a few drops of water to thin the paint to the desired consistency.

Glitter

Glitter can be used to enhance a design, but the only glitter approved for face painting use is cosmetic grade polyester glitter in a size no larger than .008 microns. Metallic craft glitter should never be used since it can cause injury to delicate tissues.

Health and Safety

Whether you are the person applying or receiving face paint, it is important to understand that certain precautions should be used to maintain health and safety for all concerned.

Allergic Reactions

Any substance applied to the skin, including body paints, has the potential to cause an allergic reaction ranging from mild to severe, and there's no way to tell in advance who will be allergic to a certain product without conducting a small test several hours before painting commences.

Ideally, you should apply a small amount of the product to a sensitive area, such as the inside of the wrist or elbow, and watch to see if any redness, itching, or swelling develops. In severe reactions, breathing may become difficult, so watch for any changes, and if necessary, wash off the product and contact a physician immediately for further directions.

Hygiene

Proper hygiene is essential to prevent the transmission of germs and parasites between all participants.

Painters should:

• Wash hands between each client. This will stop the transfer of any bacteria from one person to the next. If soap and water aren't handy, liquid hand sanitizer can be substituted.
• Look out for head lice. Holding a face with your free hand or brushing stray strands of hair back behind your client's ears is the perfect opportunity to pick up head lice under your fingernails. If you wear colored polish, you may be completely unaware of your little hitchhiker, and if you happen to smooth back your own hair, you now become his next host. Try to give your client a visual check around the hair line and face for any obvious signs of infestation and ask him/her, or the parents if the situation warrants, to hold hair back out of the way while you paint.
• Avoid painting areas with skin infections or irritations and/or open wounds. This includes conditions such as acne, rosacea, seborrhea, psoriasis, cold sores, cuts and scrapes. Not only can bacteria be transferred to others, face paint can irritate the affected skin even more.
• Use great caution when painting around the eyes. Not all facial paints are meant to be used on delicate eye tissues, so read all labels and directions carefully. It's a good general rule of thumb to avoid painting near children's eyes, since they tend to rub them and could transfer the paint into their eyes, causing irritation or injury.

Clients should:

• Arrive at the session with clean skin.
• Observe the painter at work to make sure he/she is washing between clients and not reusing uncleaned brushes and sponges from one person to the next. Parents will need to check these things on their children's behalf.
• Remove face paint before going to bed at night to avoid skin irritation. Paint can also get rubbed into the eye area or stain pillow cases, so it's always a good idea to wash it off.

Ergonomics

Depending on the venue, face painters can work for hours at a time, so it's extremely important to have your work station setup comfortably to avoid muscle injury and exhaustion.

• Organize your workspace for optimum use. Have all your tools and materials within easy reach, and a trash bin close at hand.
• Use chairs. Chairs provide stability for both you and your client, making it easier to paint with a steady hand. A chair also prevents you from standing bent over for hours on end, which could lead to a back injury.

External Links

Cosmetic paints and supplies can be purchased at professional theatrical cosmetic supply shops, local craft stores, and many online sites, including:

• Fantasy-World Wide
• T. Myers Magic
• BodyPaintMagazine.com