Kids love to have their faces painted, but sometimes parents are hesitant. Many times, in my face painting line, I hear a parent say something like, "Get something small, remember the last time?" I have always respected parents' preferences for their children, but wondered what kind of experience they had with their last face painting. With that in mind, this weekend, I decided to ask one parent why they preferred something small. The woman I spoke with said that the last time her daughter was painted it took a long time and a lot of tears to take off the face paint. This could be for one of two reasons: Either the face painter was using a product that wasn't FDA approved or the parent was using the wrong kind dof product to remove it. I asked her what she was using to remove it, and she indicated that soap and water were the instructions given to her by the previous face painter. I asked her what kind of soap, and she was using a liquid softsoap. Ouch. There's no way that softsoap would work. It has drying antibacterial agents in it and won't break down the makeup for removal. I had a great talk with this parent and told her that softsoap was a great idea, but in the long run, makeup remover would make the process a lot easier.
Here's the issue. The product we use is a makeup product. (All face painters should be using a makeup product, not acrylic paint or ANY paint that is not meant for the face). Since true face paint is a water-based makeup product, the best thing to remove it is a makeup remover. Cold cream, face cream, makeup remover cream can be rubbed onto the face paint to break down the product. (If you are a dad without access to makeup remover, you can use lotion that is made for the face to break down the makeup...or even simple olive oil) When you are applying cream to your child's painted face, watch to make sure the color is breaking up. Leave this cream on for two to three minutes. Next, a soap made specifically for the face can be used to remove the lotion and face paint. You can rinse their faces in the sink and wipe with a soft warm, wet wash cloth, but the best way is to have your child hop in the shower and really let that water run over their face. This is the ideal way to remove it. The rule of thumb is to use a product that removes makeup and is made specifically for the face. I spoke to another parent on Saturday that uses simple makeup remover wipes and she said that she has never had a problem getting the face paint off of her children. If it removes waterproof mascara, then it will remove face paint. Several years ago, I used to tell people to mix baby shampoo (no tears) and baby oil and rub that on first, but most parents don't have those readily available these days. I still think this is the best method and use these products on myself when I am asked to wear full face paint to a job. Our "face paint" products are FDA approved, water-based makeup approved for use on the face. We want all of our clients to have fun, positive memories associated with the art of face painting. So, go ahead, let your kiddo have fun and get a full face if it makes them happy. They can have fun for the afternoon, and when it is ready to come off, you can now remove the makeup without all of the drama. If you have any questions about our face paint or our services, we would be happy to talk with you. You can reach us at 21-886-4243. If you want to see more of our face painting work, you can check out our gallery here. Enjoy!
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Have you attended or planned a themed party lately? We see them all the time (and we love them)! Themed events are in vogue, and after watching this year's Met Gala, is clear that children AND adults can truly enjoy a themed party! As we answer our phone every day, we talk with a variety of clients. Whether you're a parent, an event planner or even an a charitable organization, a theme can actually focus your planning efforts and make planning a breeze. Here are a few tips to get you started: Invitations Invitations are the genesis of your event! If you, for instance, are having a superhero party, you can buy an invitation with this theme and suggest that your guests come dressed as their favorite superhero. Invitations are a way to prepare your guests for the fun of a themed party and get the fun started. Decor You can go crazy with decor! Just about every theme is covered in party stores, but if you have trouble finding the specialized products you want, it's a great opportunity to get creative. Pinterest has fun ideas for just about anything you can think of. Many themes can be expressed through strong color choices. For instance, black, white and gold could create a sleek signature look for an Oscar party. The possibilities are endless, and if you are planning your child's birthday it's a great way to get them involved in the planning. Food/Drinks This area of event planning is usually the most difficult for me. It's easy to order a themed cake, but what about the rest of the spread for your event? Since I struggle with menus, I usually start with the basics. (Who, what, where, when and why!) The ages of your guests, the time of day for your event and season can get you started. After that I try to think of creative things to do for my particular theme. For example, If you are having a superhero party, a large Batman cookie cutter can change simple sandwiches to "Bat Sandwiches". You can apply this creativity to your favors, too. (Again, Pinterest is your friend!) Many people have documented creative theme ideas on Pinterest, and you can gain inspiration to create your own! Although I have been known to order pre-constructed party favors from Etsy... Entertainment Of course, this is our area of specialty. There are many options when you are considering theme. Again, when I am planning entertainment, I go back to the basics. (The 5 W's, above.) If you are having an adult Mardi Gras party, for instance, it makes sense to have face painters on site to engage guests in the spirit of your event. I can't tell you how many adults I have painted at adult Masquerade or Mardi Gras parties. They are thrilled to get rid of their hot masks and add some festive color to their faces. If you are having a pool party, however, this won't work. Glitter tattoos and airbrush tattoos are great for events with water or excessive heat. (When you live, work and party in Texas, you have to find sweat-proof options!) Another great option for a themed party is a caricature artist. Caricature artists can draw your guests as superheros, or even emulate other things for your theme if you let them know ahead of time. We have one artist that draws people as Pokemon characters. Kids, teens, and even young adults flock to her when she is working! Themed parties in Dallas are increasing in popularity. If you are looking for other options, you can check out our sister company, Fun Time Entertainment. We have Dallas balloon twisters, jugglers, shows, etc. for every kind of event. In the past 5 years, we have seen more themed parties as well as increasing numbers of parents who are willing to participate in party themes! Parents, in this generation are just as ready to enjoy a party as their children are. (We love it!) Whatever the age of your guests, we would love to help bring fun to your Dallas party. You can reach us at 214-886-4243. We always look forward to talking with party-givers! What qualities do you look for in a face painter? Talent? Experience? Personality? Price? What is important to you? Most of the parents we speak want the best for their child’s special day. They have put together an invitation list, decor, cake choices and party favors. Parents have contacted relatives, planned games and set aside the day before their event to set up. The parents we speak to care greatly for their children and want them to have a special day!
We truly understand that parents want to get the most for their money when they hire entertainers. In Dallas, the entertainment market has grown SO much, it’s hard to tell who has the skill to back up their price. One thing we can tell you, though, is the entertainers with the lowest price aren’t always the entertainers with the training or professionalism that you are looking for. We suggest that parents look for VALUE. High talent at a reasonable (not ridiculously low or high) price with experience. We have been painting and sending out face painters for a long time. We are very specific when we look for the talent that will be invited to join our Dallas Face Painting team. It might be helpful to you, the parent, if we tell you the criteria that we look for in our painters. If you know what the industry standards are, it will help as you choose the talent for your party! 1. TALENT/SKILL: The painters who join our team MUST be good painters. Sharon Hodges, the owner of Fun Time Entertainment, Inc. is picky. She is a world champion face painter and instructor all over the United States. She knows what to look for in quality and she does not retain painters who cannot meet her standard. Sharon insists that her Dallas Face Painters be able to paint good, quality faces with a speed that keeps the line moving. She instructs each painter to adjust lists to each event capacity and time constraint. 2. PERSONALITY: We require that all of our performers are PERSONABLE AND KIND. Have you ever attended a party in which the balloon artist or face painter was in a hurry and couldn’t manage to be nice about it? Let’s be realistic. There will ALWAYS be a time constraint with face painting, but our painters are specifically chosen because of their ability to relate to children and adults as well as their artistic talent. 3. PROMPTNESS/RELIABILITY: Most of our painters have worked with us for 5+ years. Our new painters have been with us for 1-3 years. We instruct our painters to be thirty minutes early to each party. This ensures that they can be set up and PAINTING at your requested party time. When you hire a face painter for a party, be sure that their time is based on their painting time. Really, that is what you are paying for, and you don’t want an artist to be scrambling during the time that you have paid for face painting. Also, we find that Dallas traffic has increased exponentially over the past two years. We build time into our drive and our set-up time to mitigate these driving challenges. WE RESPECT YOUR TIME. When you are looking for an artist, make sure they have a reputation for punctuality and reliability. The last thing you want to do is to have to be looking for your painter fifteen minutes after they should have arrived. 4. SATISFACTION: We want to make sure that you are satisfied with your face painter. We do everything BEFORE the party to make sure that you are going to have a positive experience and that your little one will have more than just a face painting…but a GREAT memory! 5. PASSION: Perhaps the thing that separates one painter from another is passion. We tell parents to look for painters who have a passion for what they do. We love painters who are constantly looking at new techniques, new products, new faces and new ways of doing things. We don’t like our artists to settle into a comfortable cadence of things they have done in the past, but press forward and into the new characters, products, trends, and fun that the art has coming in the future! We would love to help you find the best face painter for your event and for your child. Call us anytime at 214-886.4243. We look forward to talking with you! Unicorns Are Making a Comeback!
Unicorns are magical and mystical and are making a serious comeback in the face painting world. Where I used to paint one every now and then I now paint at least 10 per event if not more, they are making a big comeback with little girls that love that enchanting animal! I prefer to create the design as a mask I think it is still as effective but much easier to get on along with a shorter time span to create. Split cakes are perfect for this design and remember to always use lots of glitter have fun with your unicorns!!!! It’s summer, here in Dallas-Fort Worth. Our summers are HOT in this part of the country, and one question we always get from our clients is about waterproof face painting. I’m a mom, and although my daughter is grown now, I distinctly remember the days when I wished that the face paint I just applied for the afternoon would stay on until we got home. The need for a waterproof solution makes complete sense in theory, but there are a few caveats. The Basic Truth Your Enchanted Face has specific airbrush face painters who use a special makeup that is marketed as sweat-proof and waterproof. However, there are a couple of caveats to keep in mind: The Downside 1. Right now, not all face painters keep waterproof face paint on hand. It doesn't have the same feel when used with sponge and brush. (To me, it's a little transparent with this method.) Even if a face artist uses an airbrush, stencils are utilized and it is another medium, entirely. It requires a different set of equipment and a different set of skills. Right now, waterproof paint is so rarely requested that very few artists utilize it. It also can bring a higher expense. The cost of the paint with the maintenance of the airbrush equipment is just more expensive and more labor intensive for the artist. 2. Waterproof paint can be removed with soap and soft sponge, but you do have to work a little harder to get it off. Your face artist can give you instructions. If you have a child that resists face wiping all-together, this is something to keep in mind. Solutions: Fun Face Paint Options and Alternatives! The best thing to do when you are planning an outdoor party in the Texas heat…is the same thing we recommend for every party. Plan ahead, and when your event day gets here – ENJOY making memories! Here are a few creative, yet viable options to choose from: Face Painting: We have been in this business a long time, and face painting is always the top choice when it comes to face or body art at parties. If you choose face painting for your gathering, you can set up a simple photo station RIGHT NEXT to the face painting section to SNAP those perfect pictures before the newly painted kids run amok in the heat! One mom this year had two Polaroid-style cameras set up for parents to use so that they could have an immediate picture as well as cell phone pictures. It was cute! (The backdrop can be as simple as a sheet or as fancy as a backdrop from a party store. It’s up to you! There are beautiful, economical options online.) Glitter Tattoos: THIS IS THE BEST POOL OPTION. Even though most children prefer face painting, they still love to get glitter tattoos! Glitter tattoos are exactly what they sound like. They are tattoos for the arm or leg…or back (generally not the face) that will stay for 3-5 days! These actually do stay on in the water and are the sturdiest summer option. Not only that, but our artists have designs that will interest almost everyone at your event, so leave time for some of the adults, too! Airbrush Tattoos: Another pool option. Definitely sweat-proof, and for the most part, are waterproof as discussed above, airbrush tattoos should not be rubbed when they are wet in the pool or the bathtub. These are a CLEAR crowd favorite. Kids and adults love getting these tattoos, and usually line up for more than one! (This is the fastest option. If you have a big crowd of fun parents and kids…this is for you!) If you have any other questions about the kind of makeup we use or options for your party – feel free to call us! You can reach us at 214-886-4243. We truly look forward to hearing from you! Frequently, we have art venues and festivals ask for face painting. Many parents today are conscious of the value art brings into their children's lives. Walk into any museum in the Dallas Fort Worth area, and chances are, you will find parents or grandparents walking with children through the exhibits and discussing what they see. In fact, many of the museums in DFW have special areas for children to explore and even kid-focused items in their gift shops. The importance of passing art appreciation from one generation to the next never gets old! We find children are truly excited to have their faces painted at art venues. When they get their faces painted, it's almost as if they feel they can become a work of art as they walk through the galleries. Many times, the artistic atmosphere brings creative requests from children and even encourages adults to get in on the fun. We love getting to paint both adults and children in these artistic venues! If you would like to add a participatory bit of flair to your art festival, art event or museum - face painting is a great option. Feel free to call us with questions or to check our availability! 214-886-4243 We look forward to bringing a splash of color to your art venue! If you have a toddler, you are probably beginning to attend a few birthday parties and/or company events with your little one. Inevitably, at a party somewhere soon, you will have to make a decision to allow your child to get his/her face painted or refrain until they are older. It's a tough decision. As a face painter, I am constantly asked if it is safe to paint these little ones. Although I really try to avoid painting children until they are at least two, sometimes eager parents insist. Why Wait? As entertainers, we take our work, and your child's face very seriously. When you meet us, we are at a party! It looks, from all appearances, to be all fun and games. The truth is, we train for years to bring you the quality of product, speed and beautiful designs that will make your party memorable. That being said, I personally recommend that you wait until your child is at least two. I explain to parents that it is like peanut butter. You don't really know how that child will react until they have their face painted. Some entertainer insurance organizations will not cover children under two. In that case, the entertainer will probably make the safe choice and decline. When I have to turn a child down, I try to offer a sticker or to paint their parent. Not all painters do this, but I feel is softens the blow. :) Face painters do not like saying no to children or parents. However, the painter you have for the afternoon does not want to take the risk, please remember that they are really looking out for you and your child. Is Face Paint Safe for My Child? Here's the short answer. True face paint is NOT PAINT. If you see a painter reaching for ACRYLIC PAINT or any kind of paint that is not specifically FDA approved for use on facial skin - walk away. Acrylic paint has heavy metals like cadmium (i.e. "cadmium red") in it...never safe for human consumption. What About Those Seasonal Halloween Face Paint Kits? Halloween Face Paint that you pick up in your local grocery or drug store is not necessarily safe, either. Some of the products that end up on our Halloween shelves have unhealthy additives in them as well. Read the ingredients. If the ingredients are not listed - again - walk away. The Good Stuff Most professional face painters use products that are FDA approved, water-based makeup. There are several brands, and each painter has brand preferences. Just remember that true professionals will only use this specific kind of makeup product as well as cosmetic powders and cosmetic-grade glitter. Watch out for those bargain painters. There's usually a reason their prices are low. Sometimes it's product and sometimes it's a lack of skill/quality/experience. If you are looking for a face painter, ask what products they use and request photos of their work ON THE JOB. (Hint***You don't want to see something that took an hour to paint and post on social media.) The Verdict: Will Your Toddler be Painted? If your child is under two, they might not be painted this time. If your child is two or older, the decision is really up to you. You are the parent. You know if your child has sensitive skin, whether being in a physically close situation with someone unfamiliar makes them upset, etc. You just have to make the best decision for your child. As your child's caretaker, advocate, and parent, you make tough decisions every day. Trust yourself as you navigate through this decision, Check to make sure the painter's products are water-based cosmetics and then decide whether you would like your child to be painted. The truth is, entertainers come to a party to entertain. We, by nature, do not like to say no. We are tasked with making sure that the people we encounter enjoy their experience and their final face paint. We love what we do! We also care enough to say no when appropriate. If you would like to book one of our world-class face painters for your next DFW event, feel free to call! 214-886-4243 We love helping you plan the fun! |
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