I get this question all the time and i find it logical. Have you ever tried to look up the different types of paint in general? I know...headache! So i managed to lay the basic types of paint that are suitable for face painting down to 5 types.
Not for safety: Always read the labels before buying, to make sure that the paint you are choosing is FDA approved for use on skin. This is very important, paint can cause bad skin rashes and allergic reactions. Please be careful.
So the 5 basic types of face paints out there are these:
- Glycerin based I love this type, it's texture is superb for base work, but not for detailed work because they take a while to dry and might blend in with other colors while at it. That's why i love this types of paint for my mime makeup, you only need basically one color.
- Wax based
These paints are perfect for detailed work, they load lightly on the brush and dry quite fast. - Powder based
You can use these either wet or dry. You can also use these as a base. If you use them dry, a good tip is to apply a base first, so their true colors can pop out nicely. - Cream based
This is a nice type of paint. They usually come in tubes, very practical, they do not need water to activate. They do dry a bit longer, but are perfect for base work too. - Grease based
It sounds icky and it kinda is. But...this type of face paint has been used and still is, for years. Its great cause it does not crack, it blends wonderfully with other colors and can stay on your face even when you are under stage lights for hours. The bad thing about these paints is that they really never dry, so you will have to be cautious about your face so you won't smudge on anything. Also, they are really hard to apply with a brush.
