Need a Face Painter for Bday Party That Won't Break the Bank-any Suggestions?

temp. tattoos are much better. They go on faster and do not run when they get hot and sweaty running around. Most kids do not sit still long enough to paint something on their face.You can get them at a party store or go online to orientaltrading.com. Very cheap and fast delivery.

Do you know any teenagers that are artists in school? If not call the HS in your area and advertise in their art Dept for a kid that you need for 2-3 hours. You'll pay $20 an hour for example....Throw a few bucks their way for a few hours...bet you won't have to pay $100.

I too would suggest the local high school.

Lots of people who do hair will also do face painting on the side. Ask some local hairstylist if they know anyone or if they do it.

The Klutz face painting book and kit is fantastic, and really easy to do with some practice. The give you step by step photos of how to paint the different animals, flowers, butterflies, balls, even more complicates things like tiger faces and super-heros etc... It also washes off easily and I haven't seen it irritate any of my toddler's faces.

I hired a face painter/balloon artist for my son's birthday and that's about the rate I found. We live in KS, but it seems that it's pretty universal. Ours was here 1.5 hours and honestly the last 1/2 hour she pretty much sat around b/c all the kids lined up for her first. She did include the full face painting or just a cheek painting all for the same rate.

If you don't want to spend the money then I too suggest going the HS girl route! Do you have a babysitter? Maybe she would know, if not maybe check in with some neighbors of teenagers or even if you have a community college nearby post a 'want ad' about it. Worst case scenario...buy some face paints and recruit a family member to do it for free!

My son had the same themed paRty this year for his 4th. We did temporary tattoos. Spent the money on a bounce house and the food instead. Kids loved it!

I do face painting sometimes, and if you are good at it, a cheek or half face is just as hard as a full face. You might want to look at Michaels for a book that has some of the pain it it, it looks like water color, but it is not. I think it is by Klutz. Amazon has it too. The paint comes with the book, which has instructions for several faces. They are easy, and you could easily hire a high school kid to do these. Just have them over a few days before to practice them.

I like Snazaroo paints best, you can get these from Amazon too. Take a look.

M.

Do you have any artistic Mom friends or friends with teenagers?

We went to a pumpkin patch that had two HS girls painting faces, they actually did a great job.

I've been to party where the Mom of the birthday child painted the kids faces.

100.00 an hr is steep in my opinion.

I did the same party for my two year old last year. I had a co- workers daughter and her friend come out and do it. Had had a "photobooth" so one did the painting and the other did the photos. I paid them what they got paid for babysitting per hour and I think I just rounded up to the nearest ten because I didn't have change. I printed out some simple designs for the girls to go by, and that was helpful for the kids to look at to make choices. Everyone was happy. Much better than paying $100+ for someone. The kids ranged in age and I bet half got their faces painted, so I was glad I didn't spend much. The "painters" were a nice touch to the themed party. I bought two sets of face paints and we only used one.
Just some thoughts. Have fun!

Talk to a local art teacher (high school or college)...the kid would love the chance to do something fun and earn some $$.

Hello! I am one of "those" face painters. :) I want to share my perspective:

#1 Whatever you do, DO NOT use acrylic paints on skin!!! It is very dangerous--allergic reactions are extremely common, if a piece flakes off and gets in the eye you risk blindness, it WILL stain the skin, it is painful and tedious to remove, and if you top it off with craft glitter and a piece of that sharp glass gets in the eye it will cut the cornea!

#2 if you go the route of letting someone artistic with no experience paint on the kids, be sure to get them professional paints. Here are some brands to choose from: Snazaroo, Wolfe, Diamond FX, Paradise, and Kryolan.
Don't forget body safe polyester glitter!

#3 The reason a professional face artist costs $100 an hour is because that artist spends much time and money to learn and buy Safe Products, to sit at the feet of masters and learn how to use the medium of a Face, to be quick, professional, fun, safe, and to produce designs that the child will remember for a long time. Face painting is a full time job, a career and a calling, and supports the family of the painter. During hours not spent working at a precious child's party, they are pursuing quality, safety, practice, professionalism and more parties! :)
Suffice it to say, they cost $100 because they are worth $150! You get what you pay for.

#4 Many face painters, and I am one, offer coupons, specials, and discounts, depending on the situation! All you have to do is ask! :)
Call or email and open a dialogue, you will be happy you did.

I agree with your call, however, that most four year olds won't want to sit still for an elaborate $10 design. Never fear! All professional face painters have in their aresenal: Half Faces, Quick versions of Full Faces, and Cheek Art! Be warned, however, that Cheek art takes a lot more time and stillness than any of the others because of the concentrated detail. It's a misconception that smaller is quicker.

If you email me, I will offer you a discount simply because you are a mamapedia mom! :) I can paint 14-20 faces in an hour that look memorable, and my paints are the safest you can buy.

Good luck and have fun whatever you choose to do!

~A. Kirsch
SnazzyFaces.net
____@____.com

go get some inexpensive acrylic paint and some paint brushes and brush up on your art! Do simple designs like hearts, balloons, butterflies, spiders, etc. Have 5-10 for the kids to choose from and just do their cheeks. I do face painting- the craft acrylic paint dries fast and washes off easy. They have other face paints (like those that are used at halloween) but they don't dry and are really messy and will rub off within an hour or so. If it's something that you don't want to do or don't have time to do- hire a high school kid to do it for you. $10 an hour should be enough or maybe $25-$30 for the day.
Have fun!
~C.