Guide Review - Snazaroo Special Effects Face Paint Kit

The Snazaroo special effects face paint kit would be perfect for painting gruesome Halloween faces as it comes with sculpting wax and fake blood. (In fact, two types of fake blood -- one in a cake form, like the other face paint colors, and the other a gel.) Of course, you don't have to use it for face painting designs involving blood; with green, black, and white paint you've the ideal colors for an ill-looking witch or monster!

Description
•Box contains three face paint colors (black, green, white), sculpting wax, cake blood and gel blood.
•There's also a spatula for applying and modeling the wax, a make-up brush, and two make-up sponges.
•Kit includes a printed page with step-by-step instructions for painting a cut finger, cut wrist, and a bullet hole.
•The paints are compliant with FDA & EU toy/cosmetic regulations. For details, see the

Snazaroo is a brand of face paints that's got a reputation for quality. Their paints are "fully compliant with EU and FDA toy and cosmetic regulations", something worth remembering when you're comparing prices of face paints. The paints aren't the cheapest on the market, but I'd personally rather pay for quality if I'm putting it on my face.

The Special FX Kit isn't made just for Halloween, but that's the time of year that you've got an excuse to go over the top with your face paint. The sculpting wax in the kit makes it possible to create lumps and bumps (I mean scars and wounds) on your skin easily. The wax sticks straight onto your skin, you don't need glue of any kind. (Tip: Run a wet sponge along the edges to make them less visible.)

The kit box says the contents will create 50 effects. I've not painted that many faces yet, but no doubt it will depend on whether you're painting large adult faces or small children's faces, and how many special effects you create on a face.

I had wondered whether the wax would smell like furniture wax, but it's hardly got any smell at all. It's soft, the color of bee's wax, and easily to manipulate, either with the tiny plastic spatula or your fingers. (I found fingers easier, with the spatula useful for creating grooves in the wax.)

The leaflet in the kit is disappointing -- it's just one page. (In Snazaroo's Rainbow Face Painting Kit there's a leaflet of sample designs.) It explains in four steps how to make a scar on your wrist (as if your hand had been chopped off and sewn back on), and how to create a bullet hole and cut finger. But I suppose we've all seen enough medical dramas to be able to create gruesome effects with fake blood.

If you're wanting face paints for an occasion other than Halloween, this isn't the kit to select. But for creepy faces, it's ideal.

Top 10 Tips for Face Painting for 2010

Butterflies, cats, dogs, fairies, ghosts, witches, wizards ... kids of all ages love having their faces painted. Here are a few tips to help.

Tip 1: Value Your Paints
Professional face paint and stage makeup can be expensive, particularly if you're painting a whole kids party's worth of faces. Don't leave them around where people can get hold of them and try them out for themselves. Try out different types of paint to see which you find the best for working with, such as paint in tubs or paint in stick form.

Tip 2: Sponge Don't Brush
If you're wanting to cover a large area or put on a base color, use a sponge to apply the paint rather than a brush, it'll be quicker. Having a different sponge for different colors eliminates the necessity of washing out the sponge during a painting session (the same applies to brushes).

Tip 3: Be Patient and Think Thin
Let the first color dry before applying a second. If you don't, they'll mix and you'll probably have to wipe it off and start again. Also, rather than applying one thick layer of paint, which may crack, apply a thin layer, let it dry, then apply another.

Tip 4: Visualize the Finished Face
Know what you're going to paint before you start, don't make it up as you go along. Kids aren't known for their patience and won't be able to sit still why you ponder what to do next. Have a basic face design fixed in your mind; you can always add special touches to this once you're finished.

Tip 5: Special Effects
The paint you're using will work as a basic glue. To create bumpy noses or big eyebrows, soak a bit of cotton wool in the paint, place on face, cover with a piece of tissue, and paint. Puffed rice or wheat make ideal warts; simply cover with a bit of tissue and paint. For an extra-ghostly effect, apply a light dusting of flour once you've finished painting the face (be sure to get your subject to close their eyes tightly).

Tip 6: Use Stencils
If you're not confident painting freehand, or are short of time, why not use a face painting stencil? Stars, hearts, flowers will all stencil onto a cheek. Have stencils in a few sizes to hand, to allow for small and larger faces. (The free stencils collection has a variety to print and cut out, including a some small face painting stencils.)

Tip 7: Temporary Tattoos
Even faster than stencils are temporary tattoos. But some people's skin reacts badly to them and they take longer to remove. Glitter is also great for a quick, dramatic effect, but it gets everywhere and is very hard to get rid of! (Also check that the glitter is suitable, see Safety Tips for Face Painting.)

Tip 8: Getting a Decision
If you've got a row of kids lined up to have their faces painted, ask the next kid in line what they'd like a few minutes before you've finished the face you're currently painting. This way they've a little time to try to decide and you don't lose painting time. You may suggest a few faces, to try to limit the choice to one you're confident painting. Consider creating a chart of designs for kids to choose from; it makes it much easier for the kids to make up their minds. Include simple things such as hearts or balloons, as many kids love these.

Tip 9: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who's the Most Beautiful of All?
Remember to take a mirror so the person who's face you've just painted can see the result. Also bring a high stool for kids to sit on; not having to bend over for so long will save you from back ache.

Tip 10: Stock Up on Tissues
You'll probably use more tissues or wipes than you think for wiping your hands, brushes, etc. Face painting can be messy, but it's fun! Baby wipes work fast and easy for 'mistakes'; you can also be assured they are safe to use on faces. (See also: How to Make Your Own Baby Wipes.)