How long does face paint stay on?

How long face paint stays on depends on the type of paint you use. Water-based face paint usually stays looking good for 4 to 8 hours, plenty for a children's party, a school performance or an afternoon at a festival. Cream face paint often lasts 6 to 12 hours, provided you set it properly with a translucent powder. And alcohol-activated makeup stays on all day and evening, even through sweat and water.

How long it lasts in practice mainly depends on three things:

• how much you sweat;
• how much friction the paint gets;
• how you applied the paint.

Friction is the biggest culprit. A child who keeps rubbing their face, or a scarf that keeps brushing along the chin, will often wear face paint down faster than a long day ever will.

Want your face paint to last as long as possible? Start with clean, dry, oil-free skin, work in thin layers and finish your look with a setting spray. Do you sweat quickly or have oily skin? Then Skin Prep Pro can help keep your face paint looking good for longer.