How to Hire the Best Face Painter

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Jen Hague — 24 February 2025 —

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Are you planning a kid’s birthday party or a community event and considering including face painting as an activity? Hiring a professional face painter can be a great way to add excitement and entertainment to your event.

While it might be tempting to ask a crafty friend to help you out on the day, hiring a professional can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience for everyone.

Why Hire a Professional Face Painter?

  • Safety First: Professional face painters have the necessary training and experience to use safe, non-toxic paints. They understand the importance of proper application and hygiene to prevent any allergic reactions or skin irritations.
  • hire-the-best-face-painter-safety
    Professional Face Painters use professional quality paints, keep their kits clean, tidy and follow good hygiene practices
  • Professional Quality: Face painting is an art form, it is MUCH harder than it looks. Professional painters have the skills and techniques to create stunning designs very quickly. Being good at art does not automatically make you a good face painter. It takes time, education and a lot of practice to get good at putting art onto the curves and wriggles of a little face!
  • hire-the-best-face-painter-prof-quality
    Professional face painters can effortlessly and quickly create stunning designs like these at parties and events.
  • Stress-Free & Fun Experience: Hiring a professional face painter allows you to relax and enjoy your event. You won’t have to worry about gathering supplies, learning new techniques, or managing a long line of eager kids. Face Painters are usually pretty good with kids, engaging with them and bringing them joy even under busy circumstances.
  • hire-the-best-face-painter-free-fun
    Professional Face Painters like Kristin Olsson (right) and her team, bring something extra special to your party with fun dress ups and contagious energy 🤩

So, hopefully, you agree — and now you’re wondering, “Alright, but how do I actually hire a Professional Face Painter?”

Well, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! (And by “covered,” we mean your face, in dazzling colors and designs. But only if you ask nicely. 😉)

Hiring a pro means no more smudgy tigers that look like confused house cats or Spidermen who seem to have just woken up from a nap. 🎨 😂 So, let’s get you the real deal!

Tips for Hiring the Right Face Painter

  1. Check Credentials: Ask potential face painters about their training, certifications, and experience. Look for painters who have attended workshops or courses on face painting techniques and safety.
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    💫 Qualified Face Painters from our School carry a Certified Professional or Expert Face Painter Badge & Certificate so you know right away that they’re professionally trained. Members of our Online Community also earn a Community badge once they’ve completed an introduction. Within our IFPS Community members are committed to continued education and growth supported by our expert instructors and coaches.
    hire-the-best-face-painter-certificate
  3. Communicate Your Needs: The more information you can provide the better. How many people are attending, the length of time available, what are your expectations on designs? This information helps the painter tailor their services to your needs and importantly allows them to say if they can’t do it.

    If you’re looking for a speedy painter to do only small designs on as many as possible, this needs to be communicated up front as not all face painters work to these terms, which could lead to a lot of unhappy kids when they miss out when time runs out.

  4. hire-the-best-face-painter-communication
    💫 Note Character Face Painters & Entertainers are also the exception not the rule! Some of us love to dress up and may add on extra character services, and others prefer all black. If this is important to you, make sure you discuss this with your face painter and see what they offer. Face painter: Coddie Scott, Photo by Skye Phoenix photography.
  5. Check out their work: Look at their work online and request to see examples if needed. This will give you a sense of their style, creativity, and attention to detail.
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    💫 Don’t expect the highly intricate designs shared on their Instagram if you’ve asked them to paint 15+ kids per hour. Ask them to share past ‘On-the-Job’ photos if you’re unsure.

    Wondering what types of designs you might see on a face painter’s party menu? Check out our Top 10 Face Painting Designs to Try which has some of the most popular designs for parties.

  7. Inquire About Safety: Ask about the paints they use and their hygiene practices (such as one sponge per child, and washing brushes after every face paint). Ensure they are using professional quality, non-toxic, hypoallergenic paints, and follow proper sanitation procedures.
  8. 💫 At the very least, ask where they buy their paints and make sure it’s from a reputable provider. This step is vital if you can’t confirm the face painter’s credentials. Students at our School are trained in all of these aspects.

    hire-the-best-face-painter-incorrect-paints
    The results of using incorrect paint on kids – chemical burns and terrible results!
  9. Consider Insurance: It’s a good idea to check if the face painter has liability insurance. This will provide you with additional peace of mind in case of any accidents or injuries.
  10. 💫 Note that, in many countries, face painters are not required by law to have insurance, in this instance point 4 is very important!

    hire-the-best-face-painter-setup
    The difference between an amateur’s face painting setup (left) and a professional’s (right) – the lack of proper tools, paints and hygiene practices can be dangerous.
  11. Ask About Pricing: Discuss pricing and payment terms upfront to avoid any misunderstandings. Be sure to inquire about any additional fees for travel or setup and what happens if you need to add more time at the end of the event in case extra guests turn up.
  12. Face Painting is a skilled art and Artists deserve to be paid accordingly. To understand face painter pricing in your country please read: How Much to Charge for Face Painting.

    💫 Expect your face painter to request a deposit to hold the date. Busy face painters receive numerous inquiries so dates aren’t typically held without payment.

    hire-the-best-face-painter-deposit

  13. Check for reviews: It always pays to see what other people have said. Checking out their Google Reviews and Facebook Reviews if they have them is most reliable as these are posted externally. Website reviews can be written up by anyone…
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    💫 Remember that for kids events you’re hiring more than just a skilled painter, someone with a great rapport with kids is invaluable, and their reviews will likely reflect this.
  15. Book early: Good face painters book up months in advance, especially over busy periods. It’s not uncommon for all face painters in your area to be unavailable for your event if it falls on a popular date.
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    💫 New Year, Easter, Summer, Halloween, and all of December are usually extremely busy and face painters can be booked up months in advance.
    hire-the-best-face-painter-book-early

By following these tips, you can find a professional face painter who will provide a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience for your event.

Remember, investing in a quality face painter is an investment in the success of your party!

 — Jen Hague

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