What face paint do professionals use?

There isn't one single brand that all professionals use. Professional face painters and makeup artists combine different types of makeup for different jobs, which is why a pro kit usually contains products from several brands.

For colourful face painting designs at children's parties, events and festivals, many professionals choose water-based face paint from brands such as Diamond FX, Superstar and Mehron Paradise. These paints are known for their high pigmentation and ease of use, and work beautifully for both large areas of colour and fine details.

For theatre and character makeup, artists often work with cream-based or cake makeup, for example from Grimas and Ben Nye. For film, television and special effects, many makeup artists prefer alcohol-activated makeup or airbrush makeup, such as the Encore palettes, Endura or ProAiir. These products stay put for hours, even in heat and sweat.

Professional face paint contains more pigment, blends more easily and works better with brushes and sponges. That means you get a nicely opaque result faster and the makeup stays looking good for longer. For a professional, reliability matters most: the makeup has to last through a long show or filming day.

Good to know: you don't have to be a professional to use professional face paint. In fact, beginners often notice the biggest difference, because good face paint is easier to apply and covers faster. The face paint in my online store is exactly the same as what face painters, theatres and film sets work with.