Answers to common questions about face painting in Melbourne, including paint safety, hygiene, pricing, areas serviced and booking with Miss Squiggles Face Painting.

How do I remove the paint? 

My personal preferred method of removing face and body paint is to use baby shampoo or a gentle facial cleanser. Apply directly to the dry painted area and rub in gentle circular movements. Once all areas of the deign have been "muddied", wipe off with a soft wet cloth or sponge. Try not to get the design wet before removing and never use baby wipes.

Manufacturers of the paints recommend the following: Remove face paint with gentle soap and water. A soft microfibre cloth, face washer or flannel may assist. Pigments may leave a light stain on the skin. No need to scrub. Apply either moisturiser, mineral oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, coconut oil (or similar) to the skin, then rub off gently with a cloth. 

Always patch test first. Never go to bed wearing face & body paint. The paints I use are water activated, so sweat, rain, tears and pool water will cause the paint to run.  Remove clothing carefully and try to refrain from touching the skin where the art is located.

What areas of Melbourne do you cover? 

I am located in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. I can travel further on special request, although it is not always possible. Be sure to give me plenty of notice and I will try my best to make it. There may be an extra cost for travel. 

Servicing these areas: (including but not limited to) Doncaster, Doncaster East, Templestowe, Warrandyte, Wonga Park, Park Orchards, Ringwood North, Ringwood, Mitcham, Vermont, Croydon Hills, Croydon, Croydon South, Burwood, Burwood East, Wantirna, Heathmont, Bayswater, Boronia, The Basin, Bayswater North, Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park, Kilsyth. For a full list of suburbs, click here.

My event has a specific theme. Can you create designs to suit?

I have a lot of designs in my portfolio and can customise a selection for your event. I am always open to adding designs to my repertoire but the time it takes to create and practice new designs is not feasible for every event. If you have an idea or request, please share it with me. I may be able to accommodate you. Rest assured, I have lots of designs and lots of crowd favourites sure to put a smile on the recipients face.

Why should I hire a professional face painter?

Face painting looks deceptively simple from the outside. But there's quite a lot going on beneath the surface, and the difference between a good experience and a great one comes down to more than just the finished design.

A professional standard means using cosmetic-grade, Australian Standards compliant paints and materials that have been tested and verified as safe for use on skin. It means strict hygiene practices at every single event, not just when someone is watching. It means knowing how to read a child who is nervous, how to slow down without losing the queue, and how to make the whole thing feel easy for the adults in the room too.

It also means showing up prepared, working independently, and leaving things exactly as you found them.

I've spent years refining not just my painting technique but every part of the experience around it. The quality of my materials, the way I work with children, the hygiene standards I hold myself to, and the calm I try to bring to what can be a very busy, very loud environment. None of that happens by accident.

When you book a professional, you're not just paying for a painted face. You're paying for everything that surrounds it.

What sort of paint do you use?

All the paints I use are high quality Australian Standards Compliant cosmetic grade paints, designed for use on the skin. I use a combination of Facepainting Hub, TAG, Fusion, Face Paints Australia, Global Body Art, Superstar and Mehron. The glitter I use is approved for cosmetic use. Please see the Safety Data Sheets for products used here.

Why is it so important to use professional cosmetics? 

"Non-Toxic" does not mean "safe for skin".  Acrylic paints (AKA craft paints or tempura/poster paints) are not meant to be used on the skin - nor are water-colour markers or pencils and other craft materials. Professional-grade cosmetic face paints have been thoroughly tested. They are designed to be easy to work with, comfortable to wear, vibrant and most importantly, they are safe!

Can face paint cause a skin reaction?

I use only professional, cosmetic-grade, Australian Standards compliant products that are tested and approved for use on skin. For most people, including those with sensitive skin, these are perfectly comfortable to wear and remove.

That said, every person's skin is different. If the paint feels itchy or uncomfortable while it is on, remove it promptly and gently using the removal method on this page. After removal, some mild temporary redness can occur, usually from the removal process rather than the paint itself. This typically settles quickly.

If you have any concerns about a skin reaction, or if your child has a known skin condition or allergy, it is always best to seek advice from a medical professional. You are also welcome to get in touch with me before your event if you have questions about the specific products I use or see the ingredients in the products I use by reviewing the Safety Data Sheets here and my Health and Safety Risk Assessment here.

How do you clean your face painting equipment?

For applying paint I will use a fresh clean, and dry sponge, and brushes will be washed in a soapy water, and rinsed well. After each party, brushes, sponges and cloths are thoroughly washed and sanitised. All the paints I use contain antimicrobial agents.

What are your health and safety guidelines?

Please see a comprehensive explanation for my strict health and safety guidelines in my Terms & Conditions, my Health & Safety statement and review my Risk Assessment.

How can I pay you?

Pay by electronic bank transfer.  When you book your event, I will send you payment instructions and timeframes, and confirm if I am available on your selected date.

Do I need to supply anything?

Not much at all. A space with good natural light and enough room to set up is really all I need. For larger events, a little extra room for a queue helps, ideally away from food tables and busy walkways. Everything else I bring with me.  Please see a list of required facilities, equipment and space for both indoor and outdoor events in my Terms & Conditions.

I run a charity, will you paint for free?

Charitable events are some of the most rewarding to be part of and I genuinely love contributing to causes that bring communities together.

I do charge my standard rates for charity work. One option that works well for a lot of organisations is approaching a local business to sponsor the entertainment as part of their community giving. It tends to be a good arrangement for everyone involved. Your event gets a professional face painting experience, your sponsor gains meaningful community visibility, and your budget stays on track.

If you'd like to talk through how that could work for your event, get in touch and I'm happy to help you think it through.

What age will you paint?

For safety reasons, I only paint children over the age of 3 years. Read more about why, here.