Hiring a face painter for events is a classic choice for entertainment that everyone will love! Face painting has become an impressive craft, with cosmetic-grade products and creative designs. We spoke with face painting extraordinaire, Marissa Blaszko of Kaleidoscope Design, to get a professional’s input on the best questions to ask before booking a face painter. Make sure the vendor you hire is a true professional with these 6 important questions!
1. What kind of paint do you use?
Even though we all call it “paint,” a professional face painter will actually be using FDA-approved cosmetics. It’s hypoallergenic and safe for kids, with popular brands including Mehron, Wolfe, Cameleon, TAG, and Global. Make sure they don’t say craft or acrylic paint, or anything else not made specifically for skin. Your face painter should be able to walk you through how to wash it off later, too.
2. What is your sanitization process?
The FDA doesn’t actually monitor the sanitization process of face paint application, which is concerning to the industry. The highest standards set are in Alberta, Canada, where face painters must sanitize their brushes between dips. They can also only use one sponge per person (sponges are often used for bigger areas). If face painters in any country are not using a makeup sanitizer or using the same sponge for multiple children, the risk of spreading diseases is much higher. It’s important to clarify how your face painter handles this disinfection process to keep everyone safe at your event!
3. How many faces can you paint per hour?
The average face painter can handle 10-12 people per hour, depending on the design. Cheek designs are a little faster while full face designs with lots of detail take more time. Other options like airbrush tattoos or glitter tattoos are fun options for short attention spans! Ask your face painter about everything they offer.
4. How much does face painting cost?
Most face painting companies have a two-hour minimum and GigSalad’s data reflects an average of $150 for 2 hours. The minimum is in place to ensure that all guests who want face paint are able to get it done. It’s important to have a buffer to allow for more complicated requests or multiple designs.
5. Do you have insurance and a background check?
All professional face painters are insured against accidents, so be wary of booking a vendor without it. In fact, some venues require that all vendors have insurance. This is especially important for corporate parties or company events where employees and their families will be in attendance.
When hiring a children’s party entertainer like a face painter, background checks are likely very important to you. Most professionals have no problem providing this documentation and may even have it listed on their profiles.
6. Can I see your reviews?
GigSalad vendors are able to display both verified and unverified reviews on their profiles. Verified reviews are the most useful since the bookings were completed through the secure platform. Reviews that don’t have the “verified” stamp are from clients who booked the face painter through other sources. Check for the average number of stars and how many bookings and reviews the face painter has collected over the course of their career to find the best choice for your event!
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.