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.

Face Painting Scary for good

Almost everyone has attended an amusement park, county fair, or sporting event and had their face painted (don't forget Halloween). The designs are usually crude and simple, done by a friend, relative, or greasy haired teen who understands there are 10 others waiting their turn in line. In the examples below, all discovered on Flickr, the artists have done an exceptional job of taking face painting to the extreme. A precise hand and creative mind have brought these images to life; in some cases it's even a skewed expression. I found many of them to be downright creepy.

Face Painting Fun For baby

Choosing Paint
It’s important to note that you can’t use just any paint and apply it to your child’s skin. Even if a product says it’s non-toxic that does not mean it’s safe for skin application. Some craft paints, and even water color paints, can cause allergic reactions or promote redness on skin. Choose only paints made specifically for face painting. There are several brands available on the market and most major craft supply stores will keep them in stock on a regular basis. If you want to add pizzazz by using glitter, use only those approved specifically for face painting. Check for FDA approval for cosmetic use on both paints and glitter. Choose face paint in pots, crayon form, or both for this fun and decorative undertaking.

Setting Up
There are several things you will need and a few thing to consider when setting up a face painting station for kids. First and foremost, you or whoever will do the painting, will need a comfortable chair and chair or stool for the children to sit in. Have a few towels handy to drape around each child as they get their design, this also makes a handy place to wipe excess paint if it gets where it isn’t supposed to!

Items to have within reach include:

Baby wipes
Tissues
Cotton swabs (for small touch ups)
Hand held mirror (for viewing)
Temporary tattoos
Hat with slips of paper to put names on
Pen
1 paint brush for each color
A few gentle sponges
Face paints
2-3 bowls of clean water
Paper towels
Face painting stencils and/or rubber stamps (optional)

basic techniques face painting 2010

Important information
Before you start face painting check that the child/children have no skin allergies or infections. Although Snazaroo professional water based face paint is non-toxic and highly tested, never paint someone's face if any kind of skin problem is suspected. If in doubt, try a little on the inside of his or her wrist and leave it for approximately 60 minutes to see if a reaction develops.

Preparation
Make sure your face paints are presented on a clean towel and that you have a good supply of water for washing brushes and sponges between faces.

There is no need to put any cream or moisturizer on the skin before you begin. Water based face paint is best applied directly onto clean, dry skin.

You may wish to keep the hair away from the face with a hair band or clips.

Always apply the base colour first, using a damp sponge. Make sure that the sponge is not too wet by squeezing out excessive water or the finished result may be streaky.

To achieve a deeper colour, allow the first coat to dry and then apply a second coat.

On designs that have a variety of light and dark colours, apply the lighter colour first, if possible.

When applying colour with a brush, keep strokes even and work in continuous lines. Avoid the temptation to sketch. Confidence will come with practice.

Note: Water based face paint is also great for body painting! Use brushes to paint rings on fingers, wrist watches and bracelets on arms, or a huge tattoo - the effects can be stunning.

Maintaining your face painting kit
In order to get the best results, we recommend these basic tips.

1.When storing or using the kit, keep it in a cool place out of sunlight. Always make sure your materials and face paint containers are cleaned at the end of every session. Store your materials in a dry clean state with lids on all containers.
2.When finishing a session, wipe any excess moisture from the surface of the paints and store with the lids on.
3.Brushes should be rinsed well in hot water and left to dry before putting away.
4.Sponges should be washed well in hot soapy water and left to dry before putting away.
5.Face paint which has been used for more than eighteen months should be discarded.
6.Discard badly stained or damaged brushes and sponges.

basic techniques face painting 2010

Important information
Before you start face painting check that the child/children have no skin allergies or infections. Although Snazaroo professional water based face paint is non-toxic and highly tested, never paint someone's face if any kind of skin problem is suspected. If in doubt, try a little on the inside of his or her wrist and leave it for approximately 60 minutes to see if a reaction develops.

Preparation
Make sure your face paints are presented on a clean towel and that you have a good supply of water for washing brushes and sponges between faces.

There is no need to put any cream or moisturizer on the skin before you begin. Water based face paint is best applied directly onto clean, dry skin.

You may wish to keep the hair away from the face with a hair band or clips.

Always apply the base colour first, using a damp sponge. Make sure that the sponge is not too wet by squeezing out excessive water or the finished result may be streaky.

To achieve a deeper colour, allow the first coat to dry and then apply a second coat.

On designs that have a variety of light and dark colours, apply the lighter colour first, if possible.

When applying colour with a brush, keep strokes even and work in continuous lines. Avoid the temptation to sketch. Confidence will come with practice.

Note: Water based face paint is also great for body painting! Use brushes to paint rings on fingers, wrist watches and bracelets on arms, or a huge tattoo - the effects can be stunning.

Maintaining your face painting kit
In order to get the best results, we recommend these basic tips.

1.When storing or using the kit, keep it in a cool place out of sunlight. Always make sure your materials and face paint containers are cleaned at the end of every session. Store your materials in a dry clean state with lids on all containers.
2.When finishing a session, wipe any excess moisture from the surface of the paints and store with the lids on.
3.Brushes should be rinsed well in hot water and left to dry before putting away.
4.Sponges should be washed well in hot soapy water and left to dry before putting away.
5.Face paint which has been used for more than eighteen months should be discarded.
6.Discard badly stained or damaged brushes and sponges.

painting 5 step for Creepy Cut Finger of devil or a wicked

It's the time of year when ghosts and ghouls come out to play and, with an extensive range of face paints and Special FX products from Snazaroo, there is no reason why you cannot join in the fun too!

Halloween is the ideal opportunity to have some fun playing make believe, transforming yourself into a devil or a wicked witch for the occasion.

So bring those costumes to life with some quality face paints that are a guaranteed source of entertainment for both children and adults alike at Halloween events and the trick or treat circuit.

Step one - Soften a small ball of wax and apply to your finger. Using water, spread the edges to blend into your skin.

Step two - Using the edge of the spatula, make a cut in the wax — not too deep.

Step three - Use the stipple sponge to dab red face paint or cake blood onto the wax.

Step four - Drip some Gel or Theatre Blood into the cut and let it run down your finger!

Step five - Show your friends.

face painting 3 step for England Supporter’s Flag and sports

Face painting is an ideal way to express your support for your team. Wear your colours with pride and make the occasion even more fun with Snazaroo face paints.


Step one - Make sure your face is clean and get your Snazaroo brushes ready

Step two - Then with Clown White, create a white base on the face without any need for water.

Step three - Finally use Bright Red to draw the England Flag on the face to support the England Team.