We have not one, not two, but THREE fabulously magical Unicorn Face Paint Easy-to-Follow Tutorials for you.
Embrace your femininity with Annabel Hoogeveen’s amazing and easy unicorn face paint design that looks like an elegant unicorn mask.
Then learn from the Queen of Unicorn Face Painting herself, Elodie Ternois, with her beginner-friendly step-by-step tutorial for this gorgeous rainbow unicorn cheek design.
Finally, learn the ultimate unicorn dream — Olga’s Alicorn! Unicorn meets pegasus, a unicorn with wings and a flowing mane, what’s not to love?
Navigation:
- Unicorn Face Painting Eye Design by Annabel Hoogeveen
- Elodie’s Unicorn Face Paint Easy Step-by-Step
- Alicorn by Olga Murasev
Unicorn Face Painting Eye Design — by Annabel Hoogeveen
Unicorns! 🦄🦄🦄 They’re EVERYWHERE.
While there are a lot of lovely unicorn makeup designs out there, many of them can be fairly difficult to achieve quickly on the job.
And as any good face painter knows, time is money. 🤑 That’s exactly why I wanted to design one that had a simple shape.
So, without the flowing manes, but still girly and worthy of the ever important “oooohs and aaaaaahs”… and of course, with lots of chunky glitter! 💖💖💖
🎨 MATERIALS USED:
- Splash Face Painting Sponges by Jest Paint – HALF MOON
- PXP Metallic White (or try Diamond FX Face Paint – Metallic White)
- FAB by Superstar- Pearl Baby Pink Shimmer
- Kryolan Aquacolor | Original Neon UV ORANGE – 15ml (or try Diamond FX Paint – Neon Orange)
- Mama Clown’s Famous Glitter | Face Paint Glitter Poof – Iridescent Orange Burst
- Art Factory Studio Face Painting Brush – Round #4
- PXP White (or try Cameleon Face Paint – Baseline PURE WHITE 32gr)
- Kryolan Face Paint Aquacolor – Youth Red (or try Fusion Body Art Face Paint | Prime Cardinal Red)
- Global Colours Body Art and FX | Standard Magenta (or try Superstar Face Paint | Majestic Magenta)
- Bad Ass Mini 1035 – Face Painting Stencil – Heart Swirls (or try Galaxy TAP Face Painting Stencil – Fanciful)
- Pixie Paint Face Paint Glitter Gel – True Colors
- PXP Black (or try Cameleon Face Paint – Baseline STRONG BLACK)
- Superstar | Face Painting Brushes by Matteo Arfanotti – Round #1
- Paradise Face Paint By Mehron – Light Blue
- Superstar Magenta Shimmer (for lips) – or try Kraze FX Face and Body Paints | Metallic Magenta
- Small blue rhinestone.
Step 1: Creating Your Unicorn Face Paint Base
I start by loading the curved side of a half-circle sponge with a soft metallic white (PartyXplosion), metallic baby pink (Superstar/FAB), and a touch of neon orange (Kryolan).
Then I sponged a triangular base (like you do with a small butterfly) and tapped on orange glitter (Mama Clown’s Orange Burst) while the design is still damp.
The shape of the base on the side of the unicorn Halloween face paint is very important because we are not adding a flowy mane to this design.
It has to follow the invisible line from the nostril to the outer corner of the eye and should be slightly rounded from the bottom (outer corner of the eye) to the top. The top is a bit higher here than on the opposite side.
After the base I load a round brush no. 4 with regular white (PartyXplosion) and add a unicorn head so that it fits the already existing ‘manes’, pulling it down towards the inner corner of the eye.
On the other side, I copy the white corner of the inner eye and add the biggest star. With the star, I also keep that invisible line in mind; additionally, I give it a little bit of a curve to improve the flow.
On the cheeks, I add a soft blush (Kryolan Youth Red).
Step 2: Add Color to Your Unicorn Makeup
Next, I add some pink (Global Magenta) texture with my favorite stencil (BAM 1035).
I paint the horn with neon orange and add the same beautiful orange glitter onto the horn.
I finish the stars in a rounded, moon-like shape and add chunky glitter (American Pixie Paint – True Colors) on the cheek below the unicorn and on the forehead, to simulate its unicorn magic flowing from the horn and going to the big stars.
Step 3: Give More Definition to The Unicorn
Now it’s time to give it some contrast and definition with regular black (PartyXplosion).
With a thin round brush (no.1), I add the eye and an outline to the stars, the horn and the unicorn head. I also draw an outline in the inner corners of the eyes, ending in a ‘swirl’.
The manes are nothing more than teardrops done with a round brush (no. 4). The lowest teardrop (again following the invisible line) extends in an eyeliner.
On the opposite side I only put the lowest teardrop and eyeliner, but I am careful not to paint over the star.
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Step 4: A Little Touch Up
The final steps consist of:
- adding light blue (Mehron) lowlights to the unicorn head and stars to give it more depth
- adding white highlights, dots and starbursts to make the design more cohesive
- ‘lipstick’ (Superstar/FAB 139 with orange glitter on top)
- and a very small blue rhinestone on the main twinkle star on the horn.
Step 5: Your Unicorn Face Paint is Ready!
Lastly, I added a little smile to my unicorn face painting, which is completely optional.
Isn’t she adorable?! 😍
This sweet design is perfect for busy lines when you simply don’t have time to mess with a full-face unicorn face paint.
As always, feel free to customize this fantastical design with your favorite color combinations and stencils. 💖
Elodie’s Unicorn Face Paint Easy Step-by-Step
Face painting is an opportunity to add a touch of magic to a child’s day, and this easy rainbow unicorn design is as magical as it comes!
Our wonderful instructor and graduate, Elodie Ternois (affectionately named the Unicorn Queen of face painting), designed this unicorn at the beginning of her time as an instructor for us, and together we’re now sharing this beginner-friendly step-by-step tutorial so that you can create this stunning design too.
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🎨 MATERIALS USED:
- “Baby Pink” – Superstar
- White (glycerin-based) (I used Kryolan white, but you could use other glycerin-based white like Superstar line white)
- Your favorite Rainbow split-cake (pictured: Discontinued “Michelle Magic 2” by Cameleon; Alternative: “Rainbow Bliss” by Fusion & Leanne Courtney)
- Black – Diamond FX
- White (wax-based) – Global
- Half Yellow Sponge
- KingArt #6 round brush
- KingArt ⅜” angle brush (Alternative: The Face Painting Shop Brush – 3/8″ Medium Angled)
- KingArt 18/0” liner brush (Discontinued – Alternative: Blazin’ Brush 2/0” details brush)
- Superstar #3 round brush (Alternative: KingArt round #3)
Step 1: Lay the base and outline shape
With a sponge, apply Superstar “Baby Pink” on the top of the cheekbone, the temple and the beginning of the forehead, and then finish along the jaw.
This is optional but will add a beautiful shimmer blush to your model and make the unicorn stand out more on the face.
In the middle of the cheek, draw with your round brush #6 and white paint, a circle for the head, a square for the muzzle, and a triangle for the ear. For the neck, make an S shape starting from the top of the head.
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Step 2: Fill in the unicorn & start building the mane
With the same brush and Kryolan white or another glycerin-based white paint, fill the inside of the shapes and draw the horn.
With a ⅜” angular brush and a rainbow split cake, load the cool half of your rainbow cake colors (green, blue, and purple). Place the mane starting with these cold colors.
The top of the fringe points to the inner corner of the eye. Do the same for the mane placed below the muzzle.
Step 3: Add extra rainbow colors to the mane
With the same brush load the warm colors of the split cake (red/pink, orange, and yellow). The bottom of the fringe points to the chin. Use the same focal point for the mane placed below the muzzle.
To create the full rainbow, make sure that the green from your first strokes and the yellow are next to each other.
The whole mane on the left side of the Unicorn follows the shape of the neck. It starts at the ear and ends after the neck, creating a beautiful flow and movement within your design.
Did you know that Elodie is an International Face Painting School Graduate? From being nervous to start her education with us to shortly after completing being able to launch her own business — read all about her successes in our dedicated Elodie blog post.
Step 4: Outline the unicorn and mane details
With the round brush liner 18/0 and black Diamond FX, draw the outlines of your unicorn.
Step 5: Add unicorn face and teardrops to frame the design
With the same brush, place the eye (round or oval) more or less in the center of the head. Add a little blush to your unicorn with the same “Baby Pink” Superstar color.
With a round brush #3 and Kryolan white, paint teardrops. For good flow, direct your teardrop clusters toward the facial focal points.
The teardrops at the top point to the center of the forehead and the teardrops from the bottom point point to the center of the chin.
Add some dots for details (you can also use stencils to add stars for example).
Step 6: Final touches – outline teardrops & add highlights
With the brush liner and black, outline your teardrops (optional). With the same brush and Global white, add touches of light on the head and neck of the unicorn. The waxy white paint will show over the glycerin white base and create a lovely detail.
You’ve done it! Congratulations on your magical rainbow unicorn face paint! 🌈🦄
It’s time to take a nice photo for your book.
Choose a neutral color background (ideally white or black), beautiful lighting (ideally natural), and smile for the camera. ;)
When you post, be sure to tag us @facepaintingschool so we can celebrate your achievement with you. We’d love to see your artwork. 😍
Do you love Elodie’s designs? Then, you don’t want to miss our most popular Step-by-Step tutorial: Elodie’s Rainbow Butterfly. This design turns a very popular request into a real show-stopper.
Olga’s Alicorn — Unicorn with wings
One of the most requested designs from girls is any of the variations of ponies and horses, including mythical creatures like Pegasus, Unicorn, and Alicorn.
Here are the differences between them:
- A basic design is a horse;
- Ponies have a shorter muzzle;
- The Unicorn has a horn;
- The Pegasus has wings;
- The Alicorn is a mix between the previous two, with both a horn and wings.
The last design is usually the most requested one I get when I have it on my design board. There’s something super extra magical when you add wings to a unicorn!
Olga’s Alicorn video tutorial has all the steps covered to create this unique, show-stopping design.
🎨 MATERIALS USED:
- Cameleon Neon Pink (or try Diamond FX Paint – Neon Pink)
- Cameleon Neon Orange (or try Diamond FX Paint – Neon Orange)
- Cameleon Neon Green (or try Diamond FX Paint – Neon Green)
- Cameleon Pure White
- Cameleon Strong Black
- Cameleon Banana Yellow
- Cameleon Celadon
- Cameleon yellow sponge (or try Splash Face Painting Sponges by Jest Paint – HALF MOON)
- Loew Cornell round brush #2, #4, #6 (or try Art Factory Studio Face Painting Brush – #2, #4, #6)
- Lea Selley ultimate graffiti eyes stencil kit (or try Wiser’s Graffiti Madness Face Painting Stencil Kit)
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