Children's parties are one of the most popular settings for face painters — and getting your colour selection right can make the difference between a good day and a great one. Here's Sally-Ann Lynch's guide to the best face paint colours for children's parties, and how to make sure you're always prepared.
The Colours You'll Use Most
At children's parties, certain colours come up again and again. White and black are essential for detailing — for nearly every design, from tigers to butterflies to superheroes. As Sally is someone who only uses onestrokes, she would suggest using quality onestroke palettes. It's so much better than grabbing individual onestrokes. Did you know? By having a bespoke palette with a bit of weight to it, it stops the stationary onestrokes from moving around. Moving around will stop you loading correctly and will also muddy your colours.
A few good pearlescent colours will also help you achieve those full face onestrokes — so easy to blend with your brushes, especially those in Sally's go-to 9 brush set available via her website. Sally also advises you to blend your desired colours into your pearlescents, especially the shimmery white. Saves so much money and avoids wasting paints.
Glitters
Children absolutely love anything that sparkles! But use glitter sparingly. Even when biodegradable, they take time to break down. Be careful not to go too close to the eyes. Do not use chunky glitters applied with vaseline — this can damage the cornea. Use glitter to enhance and not to take over. I know it's tempting, but it can also ruin a face painted design.
The Best Palettes for Children's Parties
For children's party work, you need a palette that covers all the basics while giving you plenty of versatility. The Most Inviting 18 Colour Palette is a brilliant all-rounder, packed with a wide range of vibrant shades perfect for party work. The Rainbow Supreme is another fantastic choice — bold, bright and endlessly versatile. For one stroke artists, the Whimsical Palette and the White Slice Botanical Palette are ideal for creating the flowers, butterflies and fantasy designs that children love. But the choice is yours.
Speed and Hygiene at Busy Parties
At busy children's parties, speed and hygiene are essential. A well-organised bespoke palette keeps everything at your fingertips, so you can work quickly without compromising on quality. The Double Dip Alternative Palette is particularly popular for busy event work — designed to eliminate cross-contamination and keep things hygienic even when you're working at speed.
Be Ready for Anything
The best party face painters are the ones who are prepared for any request. A versatile, well-curated bespoke palette means you can say yes to almost anything — from a simple rainbow cheek to a full face butterfly. Browse the full range of bespoke palettes and find the one that's right for your party work.