FAQ
Face Painting FAQ
What kind of paint do you use?
We use only the best, professional face & body paints. All our paint is cosmetic grade, which means it is safe to put on yours & your children's skin.
Myth: "Non-toxic means it is safe to use on skin"
Fact: “Non-Toxic” doesn't mean “safe for skin". Acrylic paints are not meant to be used on the skin – nor are oil, watercolor or kids craft paints, markers or pencils. Many people have adverse reactions to the chemicals and colorants used in craft & artist paints (such as nickel, cadmium and formaldehyde), and will break out in a rash or get sick from these paints.
Why should I care if someone is using professional face paint on me?
Your skin is an organ and can absorb toxins into your bloodstream very quickly. When this happens, the toxins and chemicals bypass your liver where they would normally get filtered out. Many of the chemicals in craft and acrylic paint can have adverse effects; for instance: cadmium is known to cause pancreatic cancer, and is present in many of the pigments used in non-face/body paints. All face and body paint is required to have an ingredient listing on the package, and those ingredients must be cosmetic grade. If you are unsure whether a paint someone is using is safe, ask to see the MSDS or ingredient listing.
Will your paint get dry and itchy?
The face & body paints that we use are very similar to cosmetic make-up. It's light weight and moves with the skin, and will not dry your skin out. Many children and adults who have reported adverse reactions to costume face-paint (usually found in dollar stores or Halloween shops), or have sensitive skin conditions such as eczema, have no reaction to these paints. Everyone is different though, so if you have a history of reacting to cosmetics, you can always try a test patch before committing to a whole face or body painting.
What kind of glitter do you use?
We use only cosmetic grade glitter, to ensure that you and your children stay safe & healthy.
Myth: "Any glitter is good glitter for face painting!"
Fact: Craft glitter should NOT be used for face painting. Metallic glitter can have sharp edges and can be made out of dangerous metals. Craft glitter can scratch eyes, and cause damage if inhaled or ingested. Safe glitters for face painting are made of polyester, and should be .008 microns or smaller, the size that the FDA classifies as “cosmetic size” and safe for use on the face.
In the near future we will be making the shift to eco-friendly cosmetic glitter when it becomes available in Canada. Stay tuned!
How do I wash face paint off?
As some of you may know, cleaning your child after face painting can be a challenge, not only to convince the child it's time to take it off, but to remove without staining the skin.
Most face & body paints will come off easily with a cleansing wipe or mild soap and water, though some colours, such as red and green - which contain more pigment, will leave a stain after washing. This is most common on fair skinned people.
If you've washed with soap and water and there is still some staining, you can soak the area in oil (such as mineral oil, olive or coconut oil) or use moisturizer, and wipe it off. Make-up remover will work too, if you have it in the house. If staining persists, apply oil or moisturizer and leave overnight and wash it off in the morning.