10 Best Face Paints UK 2024

The second type of face paint included in our ranking is a crayon-style option. These are less messy, allow more control if you’re not confident holding a brush, and are a good idea if you plan to let the kids paint each other’s faces.

You might even choose a roll-on face paint, which has an applicator preset in a particular design such as rainbow stripes or team colours. Roll-on face paints are perfect if you don’t have wild creative ambitions or are pushed for time.

A multi-paint kit with many different colours is a great shout for a one-off cosplay event. You’ll be able to create a colourful look or two without breaking the bank. However, be aware that if you’re doing face paints for a children’s Halloween party and the white runs out, there could be some seriously scary reactions from the kids at the end of the queue!

Individual pots of one key colour, such as white, black, red, or blue, could be a good option if you know one shade will be popular, or simply want to be organised for future events. Buying several large individual colours is a good investment if you know you can store the paints safely for next year.

In terms of colour, generally, a kaleidoscope of options is best for kids as it allows you to create more exciting designs, and the ability to achieve almost any vision! If you're dressing up for Halloween, black, white, green and red are some of the most essential colours. You may want to look for palettes with a larger amount of white and black paints than usual for the perfect vampire or zombie!

Heading to a festival or music event? Look out for durable glow in the dark or fluorescent paints to make you stand out from the crowd whilst embracing the festival spirit.

If your child does have a nasty reaction to face paint, you might want to take them along to A&E or the Minor Injuries Unit. Gently remove all face paint with a warm, damp flannel and avoid applying any other product or creams to the skin. If your child is old enough, antihistamines may help ease the reaction. Finally, give your child time to rest, and keep them out of the sun for 2 or 3 days.

It used to be a little more difficult to find out exactly what was in face paint, but luckily times have changed and there are a whole host of excellent natural, vegan and cruelty-free options. Most products will have it plainly advertised on the front of the pack, but if not you should easily be able to find this information in the product description.

Even if you are not a vegan, these more natural options can be a good choice for sensitive skin as their ingredients are strictly regulated. Vegan and cruelty-free options will often be free of chemicals such as parabens or phthalates too, but always check the label to be sure.