"What Paint Do You Use?" (aka Thoughts On Safety)

Hey guys, one of the most common questions I get is "what paint do you use?" My normal response is simply "none." Then I explain I do not use any type of "paints" in the sense they're wondering - craft paints, acrylic paints, tempera paints, etc. While commonly used for face painting, these products are not hypoallergenic, and may cause potentially severe allergic reactions. I deal with it all the time, the kid, adult, parent, etc who thinks them (or their child) is allergic to face paint. If I get the chance, and I know of this, I politely say that they're almost certainly allergic to craft paints, not to the water-based makeup I use. Some give it a try, usually if their kid is begging - some don't. That's business I lose because others face paint with unsafe products. I take that very seriously - both for my own business, and even more for the sake of those kids missing out on something fun. Make sure that any face painter you hire is using professional makeup products, not paint!

So what do I face paint with? I use professional makeup designed for face painters with safety in mind. These products are anti-bacterial to prevent spreading germs when used as directed, they're water-based for easy application and removal, and they're hypo-allergenic. Specifically, I use Kryolan Aqua Color and Mehron Paradise most of the time. I also usually have some similar products from other companies such as Snazaroo and Wolfe FX that I use in certain designs. All the products I use can be bought from Silly Farm Supplies and Heather at Silly Farm is amazing to work with and only sells top-quality, safe products.

In the three years I've been face painting, I've only had two cases of people who came back to me reporting allergies (and I would encourage ANYONE to do so! It helps me figure things out, and any report that seems like a real allergy WILL be sent to the manufacturer of the makeup). One was a young girl whose entire face turned red after washing off the makeup. That is immediately suspect because the makeup wasn't on her entire face, the design contained several brands and colors of makeup (further limiting the area an allergy to one ingredient would have), and she was fine until washing it off. I asked her what she washed it off with. It was at a camp and she told me the foaming soap from the dispenser in the camp's restroom. I told her I was almost certain that caused her allergy since the symptoms didn't seem like a face paint allergy, and that made sense to her as well. The soap they have in the restrooms at that camp burns my hands - I can't imagine it on the face!

The other report I received was one of eye irritation from the product. This was from the young granddaughter of a vendor next to me at a fair, and I received the report the next morning from the girl. Again, no symptoms until removing it. The girl did remove it as I suggest - with baby shampoo. However, this was more local irritation and she said that she did scrub pretty hard to get it off. This case I explained I was pretty sure the redness was irritation from rubbing her eyes too hard. She still got me to paint her face again, but asked that I avoid her eyes, which I obviously did. She chose a design not involving the eye area. Her eyes were better by lunch time. I'm pretty sure she just rubbed them red trying too hard in removing the makeup.

My point? In three years of face painting I've had two allergy reports, both of which I'm almost certain were related to removal technique. I'm VERY confident in the safety of the makeup I use. Whenever you're looking to hire a face painter, it is okay to ask what we use. In fact, I'm glad when people do. Nothing is more important to me than this being a fun, enjoyable activity with fond memories for years to come - not memories of rashes and itchy paint. To the people who act like they're worried they're stepping over the line when you ask me what I use - you're not, I'm glad you asked. :)

Have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope to see many of you this coming year!

Blessings,

Mark