Insider Tips: Questions to Ask When Looking For a Face Painter

From tigers and puppies to butterflies and superheroes - in any big city like Toronto or Los Angeles, face painters aren’t difficult to find. But here's the catch - not all face painters are created equally, and a few thoughtful questions will help you find the perfect match.

Why Quality Matters More Than You Think

We've been in the party planning business for years - a good face painter can make your party unforgettable and be a big help in creating great photos. A not-so-good one? Well, let's just say crying unicorns aren't the look we're going for!

The Non-Negotiables: What to Look For

Hygiene First:

Your face painter should be using fresh sponges & brushes, clean water, and FDA-approved paints for each child. No exceptions! If you see a face painter dipping into the same murky water for several kids - huge no-no. Water should be changed between each face!

Kid-Friendly Personality: 

Watch how they interact with children. Are they patient? Engaging? Fun? Are they able to make kids feel comfortable? Energy makes for a huge impact on experience.

Portfolio: 

Check their work quality across different designs and read reviews. Some face painters use stock images as their own, so you want to ask if the work you see online belongs to them.

Communication Style: 

Thoughtful responses and clear information about their services are huge green flags. If they’re dodgy about the pricing, added fees, policies and expectations, steer clear!

Essential Questions to Ask Your Face Painter

Here's your cheat sheet for interviewing potential artists:

What brands of face paint do you use, and are they FDA-approved?

Water-based and oil-based body paints are the norm. Some companies use “water-based acrylic” which is cheap and not great for the skin. The top brands that experienced face painters use are Mehron, Tag, Global Body Paints, Snazaroo and a few more. You should be able to google the brand to see if it’s safe for skin.

How do you sanitize your equipment between children?

We find that there’s no real spectrum on this - either companies sanitize or they don’t. You want to look for a company that uses rubbing alcohol or a brush cleaner, changes the water between faces, and uses a fresh paper towel for each participant.

What's your policy if a child is nervous or changes their mind?

A good face painter will never force a child, they should offer alternatives like a design on the hand, have the child watch another guest have their face painted before they try, or talk them through the process allowing them to look in the mirror as their face is being painted. For younger children we’ll often use a clean brush with no paint and allow the child to feel the brush on their face, if they’re comfortable with that, then we’re good to go!

How many children can you paint per hour?

This varies, and most painters will offer different designs based on time. It’s normal for an average face paint design to take 5-7 minutes, smaller designs can be 3-4 minutes and more intricate looks can take up to 10 minutes. They should be flexible with options based on the amount of children and budget.

Can you provide reviews?

Companies should be able to send you links to past client reviews and photos. When in doubt, go to google and see for yourself! You’re looking for people’s takes on professionalism, friendliness, abilities, and booking processes.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Vague answers about their hygiene practices

• No photos of recent work

• Unwillingness to provide reviews

• Super cheap rates (quality face paint alone isn't cheap!)

Overall, trust your gut, take notes, compare and contrast. Good luck!