DIY face painting at home — the SA parent's guide.
DIY face painting works well for up to 6 kids and a quiet Saturday afternoon. Beyond that you'll spend the whole event chained to the paint table. This guide tells you exactly what to buy in SA, how to use it, how to clean up — and when to give in and book a pro.
Step 1 — Buy the right paint (this matters more than anything)
The single biggest mistake parents make is using craft or acrylic paint. Never. Acrylic dries hard, cracks on skin, and is not regulated for cosmetic contact. Use only cosmetic-grade water-based face paint. Three brands you can actually find in South Africa:
- Snazaroo — UK brand, available at pharmacies, Game, Takealot, party stores. R150–R300 for an 8-colour kit. The default "starter" brand. Perfectly safe; quality is decent but not professional-grade.
- TAG Body Art — Australian brand, sold by specialist online suppliers in SA. Brighter, more opaque, lasts longer in storage. R500–R900 starter set.
- Diamond FX — Dutch professional brand. Studio-quality. Same price range as TAG. Used by competition painters.
If you Google "face paint South Africa" you'll find half a dozen specialist online suppliers carrying TAG and Diamond FX. Delivery is usually 3–5 days nationally.
Step 2 — Assemble your kit
The paint set is half the story. You also need:
- 2 sponges — natural or "stipple" sponges work better than kitchen sponges. ~R30 each at art-supply or craft stores.
- 2 brushes — one fine (size 1–2) for outlines, one medium (size 6) for fills. Synthetic-bristle brushes are fine; ~R40–R80 each.
- 2 bowls of water — one for the sponge, one for brush rinsing. Change between kids.
- Cotton wool / cotton pads — for blotting mistakes within the first 30 seconds.
- A handheld mirror — kids need to see the design once it's done.
- Baby wipes — for the inevitable accidents.
- Cosmetic glitter (optional) — never craft or stage glitter (sharp edges, eye risk). Cosmetic glitter is sold at the same suppliers as the paint.
Step 3 — Set up
- Good light. Daylight near a window is best. Avoid overhead spotlights that cast shadows on the child's face.
- Seat the child. They need to be at your eye level. Use a stool or a chair with a cushion.
- Tie their hair back — paint in hair is annoying to remove.
- Towel around the shoulders in case of drips.
- Wet the sponge before loading paint — wring out, then dab into the paint. Goes on smoother.
Step 4 — The basic technique
- Base coat first. Use the sponge to cover the area with the main colour. Multiple light dabs, not one heavy press.
- Secondary colours next. Sponge or brush in a different colour on top of the dry base.
- Detail with brushes. Outline shapes, add eyes, whiskers, stripes — always in dark colour over light.
- Glitter or jewels last. Press cosmetic glitter into a still-wet patch (or a tiny dab of clear cosmetic gel) using a fingertip.
- Let it set 60 seconds before the child runs off — gives the paint time to dry properly.
Step 5 — Safety basics
- Never paint a child with a known skin condition on the affected area. Eczema, broken skin, conjunctivitis = skip those zones.
- Patch test new paint on the inside of the forearm 5 minutes before doing the face if the child has any allergy history.
- Don't paint over the lips for under-3s (it ends up in the mouth).
- Leave a clear margin around the eyes — never paint inside the eye line.
- Wash brushes between children if you're doing more than one — antibacterial wipe is enough.
Step 6 — Removal
The basic method: warm water + mild soap + a soft cloth, gentle circles, 30 seconds. For stubborn pigment, dab baby oil on a cotton pad and wipe. Don't scrub. Full removal guide here — includes how to handle stained clothes and hair.
Easy designs to start with
If you want a curated list of beginner designs that are easy to pull off, see our 12 easy designs guide. All can be done in under two minutes with the kit above.
When DIY becomes a bad idea
Honest list:
- More than 6 kids at the event.
- Mixed-age party where toddlers and pre-teens want very different things.
- Themed party where every kid wants Spider-Man or Elsa — these are harder than they look.
- You want photos that don't look like Mum's first try.
- You want to actually enjoy the party rather than spending it painting.
- A child has eczema or skin sensitivities and you're not sure about the products.
If any of those apply, a professional is worth it: a typical two-hour package covers up to around 24 children with proper paint, a design book and an experienced hand. Find a painter in your area and contact them directly for a quote.