Fairy body paint

[LadyElizabeth]

So my sister and I have tried a few ways to paint our faces and bodies when we go as fairies and none have seemed to work out so well.  This last weekend we used halloween makeup from Michael's and it flaked off and dyed our skin!!  The time before that we used liquid eyeliner which smudged.  Now we did have ourselves painted once at Scarby and it held up great.  So the question really is, does anyone know the type of paint the street painters use on people?  We just can't afford 20$ each per time when coming as fairies, especially since we're quite creative ourselves and really enjoy painting ourselves...

[LifeTreeLeather]

This is just a guess but I would suspect that the are using a standard non-toxic craft paint.  Most likely a latex as apposed to water base so that it does not wash off when you perspire.
Again this is just a guess but its what I would use.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Why not try water based stage make-up, which you then set with a spray so it doesn't run when you sweat?

[Elennare]

I'm a bit late replying to this thread, but I hope it helps.  I've had pretty good success doing "tatoos" for festivals using liquid eyeliner that I powdered after I applied it (baby powder or powdered foundation).  They've lasted all day doing shows in the summer in MI.  Might not work as well depending on what body part you're painting, but it worked great on my face.

[Fairyfly]

Here are a couple links I found that might help.

http://www.kuzsports.com/Face_Paints.htm?gclid=CI2Tucjgz5YCFQa6sgodgRq92Q

http://painting.about.com/od/faceandbodypainting/a/Face_Painting.htm

http://www.snazaroo.com/

When I did face painting at the faire I worked, we'd always put powder over the paint and brush any access off lightly. It helped the paint stay on for a long time.

If you choose to use halloween type make up again here's what I do when I'm applying it to haunted house workers {I've worked as a professional special effects make up artist at a few haunted houses}. Apply moisturizer to the areas you are going to paint before painting. It helps keep the staining down to a minimum if at all, keeps the areas from breaking out, and helps the make up apply smoothly. Apply your paints, then a translucent powder over it, again brushing or blowing off any access. The moisturizer will also help keep the make up from flaking. This method will also work with the liquid liner and keep it from smudging. You can also use regular make up {eye shadows and such} either by itself, or in combination with either halloween, face painting, or stage make up. The effect is great.

Hope this helps! Good luck and have fun!

[LadyElizabeth]

The problem isn't the face as much as the body painting.  We used liquid eyeliner and it smudged, even with powder over the top... I live in TX, i.e. it's crazy hot and we sweat!  And the halloween paint we bought, flaked off our arms, but did OK on our faces...

Has anyone used latex body paint? 

[Love Good Wood]

latex body paint... sounds more like fetish than faire... 

if you look at photos of the fairys of Bristol Faire it's all airbrushed... they must have some makeup person for the cast...

I've developed a crush on the Autumn Fairy (through all the pictures I've seen of her)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjz_design/2715708990/in/pool-bristolrenaissancefaire

[LadyElizabeth]

Wow, that fairy is amazing... but that's not really the sort of body painting I had in mind... More like a few vines and leaves and flowers strewn about my chest and arms.... Definitely NOT fetishlike at all...  And I have no professional airbrushing friends to help with that kind of look anyhow.

[gypsylakat]

there are some kids airbrushing sets... I don't know how well they stay.. but we had one at a girl scout event one time. they come with stencils and what not to make pretty designs.. this LOOKS a lot like the one that we had.. but i'm not sure.. it was like 4 years ago..
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009XSK5

[Love Good Wood]

if your just doing vines and stuff like that... what about using colored eyeliner pencils, eye shadow, and that kind of stuff... seems like that would work wouldn't it?

maybe I should start a airbrushed body painting business... hehe

[Anna Iram]

Here's a couple of sites that might answer some of your questions:

http://www.liquidlatex.com/aboutlatex.html

and this if you don't want to use latex:

http://www.starmgc.com/bodypaint.html


Both products say it may begin to peel after 2 to 3 hours of wear, but can be touched up. Kind of expensive, but if it lasts for more than one season it might be worth it.


Then there's this stuff:

http://www.facepaintingdesigns.co.uk/Shop/Temporary-Tattoos/Tattoo-Inks/tattoo-inks.html


Company is based in Europe. Site says it's waterproof. Won't come off in the shower even and lasts for days until you want to remove it. Seems interesting, though once again expensive.

[gypsylakat]

also.. what about just using like the temporary tattoos that little kids get? the kinds that just affix with water, you could probably get a big pack for just a few bucks..

[Aernn]

If you do this often, I would suggest using professional theatrical make up.  The brand I am most familiar with is Ben Nye.  I have heard amazing things about it from those who want/need theatrical quality.

http://www.bennyemakeup.com/

[Celtic_Fae]

Depending on what color scheme you're looking for, you could always use henna. The real stuff (not the black, toxic stuff) looks natural, if you're going for that kind of look.

[Elennare]

While I can't vouch for the vendors listed here, I have used temporary tatoo ink/paint to do airbrush tatoos and it worked wonderfully.  They also lasted for a couple of days, unless scrubbed with soap and water.  I have no idea what brand of ink I was using, though.  It was bought by someone else in the theater troupe.