Most parents never think to ask. You find a face painter whose work looks beautiful, you confirm the booking, and you trust that a professional showing up with a proper kit knows what they're doing.

That trust is reasonable. But there's a meaningful difference between assuming everything is fine and actually knowing what's in the products being applied to your child's skin. After spending a significant amount of time going through every product in my kit, I think you deserve a proper explanation of what I use, why I chose it, and what I specifically avoid.

This isn't a marketing page. It's just what I know.

There is no one checking what a face painter puts on your child's skin

Anyone can buy some paints, call themselves a face painter, and show up to your child's party tomorrow. There is no licence. No registration. No industry body checking what goes into the products they use or how they use them.

That doesn't mean most face painters are unsafe. Many are genuinely skilled, careful, and thoughtful about their products. But the absence of any regulatory oversight means the responsibility for what goes on your child's skin sits entirely with the painter you hire, and with you for knowing what questions to ask.

A cosmetic product in Australia does not have to be proven safe before it goes on sale

This surprises most people. Unlike pharmaceuticals, cosmetic products in Australia are not assessed or approved by the TGA before they reach shelves. Manufacturers are legally responsible for their own safety decisions. The ACCC only steps in after complaints or reports of adverse reactions.

What this means in practice is that the ingredient list is the only real window you have into whether a product is worth trusting. Some brands take their responsibility seriously, invest in rigorous testing, and publish full ingredient information. Some don't. There is no system forcing them to do either before the product ends up on a child's face.

Do you know where the products actually came from?

The face paints, glitters, and adhesives going on your child's skin should come from reputable, professionally sourced brands with published ingredient lists and genuine compliance obligations behind them.

A face paint kit purchased from Temu, Amazon, or an unverified online seller could have come from anywhere in the world, been made to any standard, and contain anything. There is no way to know, and no one accountable if something goes wrong. When a product bypasses a registered Australian retailer or distributor, it also bypasses the compliance obligations those businesses are legally required to meet.

I'm happy to tell you exactly what I use and where it comes from. I think you deserve to know.

No face paint in the world has been tested safe for children under three. Not one.

Toddler skin is around 30% thinner than older children's skin. It absorbs more of what it touches, and no face paint brand has completed the specific clinical testing required to prove safety for this age group. Not one. 

I'm a mum. I know how much it matters that the person working with your child has genuinely thought about their safety, not just their smile. So I don't paint the faces of children under three.

I always have stickers for the little ones who miss out, and I make a moment of it. Every child deserves to feel included.

You can read the full explanation of why I hold this line here. 

Hygiene matters as much as the products themselves

Your child's face painter may have already painted dozens of other children by the time your child sits down. The same paint, the same tools, the same water, moving from one child to the next across an entire event.

Professional cosmetic-grade face paints contain antimicrobial preservatives specifically designed to help reduce the transmission of germs. But preservatives alone aren't enough. Proper hygiene practices are what actually keep a shared kit safe across a full day of work.

Washing brushes between clients. Using disposable applicators. Retiring products past their shelf life. These aren't optional extras for a professional face painter. They are the standard.

Every child who sits in my chair deserves the same standard as the first one. That doesn't happen by accident.

Not everything in a face painter's kit is face paint

Some face painters who use unsafe products simply don't know better. But not knowing doesn't make it safer for your child.

Acrylic, poster, and watercolour paints are not cosmetic products. "Non-toxic" on the label of a craft paint means it won't poison you a small amount ends up on your skin for a short period of time. It says nothing about whether it is safe for prolonged contact with a child's skin, or near their eyes. The same applies to craft glitter, which can contain glass, metal, and dyes not approved for skin contact at all.

A professional kit is well-maintained and products are vibrant. The person holding the brush is using trusted, professional brands and can tell you why. A painter who can't answer basic questions about what they're using is telling you something important.

You are allowed to ask. You are allowed to walk away.

Before you book a face painter, you are allowed to ask what products they use and where they come from. A confident professional will answer without hesitation.

At an event, you are allowed to watch. You are allowed to ask questions before your child sits down. You are allowed to change your mind.

If the kit looks neglected, if the tools aren't being washed between children, if the painter can't tell you what they're using, you don't need to make a scene. You can simply say no thank you.

Your child's skin is not the place to give someone the benefit of the doubt.

What's actually in my kit

The brands I use all have published ingredient lists and legitimate safety data that I have read, understood, and chosen to trust.

Face paints: Fusion Body Art, TAG, Global Colours, Diamond FX, Face Paints Australia, Superstar, Face Painting Hub.

I use cosmetic-grade glitter only and a skin-safe adhesive with a published ingredient list for glitter tattoos. Some products in my kit contain animal-derived ingredients such as lanolin. If this matters for your family, please let me know when you enquire and I will work around it.

Every product was chosen deliberately. There is nothing in my kit that I can't explain.

Allergic reactions: rare, but worth knowing about

Even the most carefully formulated professional face paint can, on rare occasions, cause a reaction in someone with a specific sensitivity. This is true of every cosmetic product on the market, and no brand can honestly claim otherwise. It doesn't mean the product is unsafe. It means skin is individual, and sometimes an ingredient that is safe for most people isn't right for a particular child.

If it's your child's first time being face painted, or if they have known skin sensitivities, I'm always happy to do a small patch test before we start. A little paint on the inside of the wrist, left for a few minutes, is a simple way to check before anything goes on their face. Just mention it when you arrive and we'll take that extra moment together.

Why I'm telling you this

The best face painters in this industry take product safety as seriously as their artistry. I want to be one of them, and I want you to know what that looks like in practice.

If you have questions about anything I use, I'm always happy to answer them. You can reach me through the contact page or find me on Instagram at @squigglesmelbourne.

This article reflects my understanding as a professional face painter and is not medical advice. If your child has known skin sensitivities or allergies, please consult a medical professional before any cosmetic application. All cosmetic products, including professional-grade face paints, can on rare occasions cause reactions in individuals with specific sensitivities.

Last updated: June 2026