Looking for research on why we use professional paints and not the cheap stuff

I like to be able to explain to people why it's important to use the best quality products on our skin, but as I'm still fairly new to the biz I'm coming to you all to enlighten me. I know we shouldn't use the cheap stuff and acrylics etc, but I don't know exactly why. I know 'non-toxic' means that it won't kill you if you eat it. I'd like some more facts or links to resources so I can be more educated and therefore enlighten others. I really appreciate the knowledge base here and willingness to share.

Thanks,

Magna

Snazaroo USA has TONS of stuff on the FAQs about all of this and more.

http://www.snazaroo.us/faq.htm

I knew you'd have excellent information for me Shannon! Thanks, that link is awesome! I have to admit, although I have bought your book, I haven't had time to go through it all yet...there's a lot of information there

What I've learned:

Acrylic manufacturers do not claim their paints are safe for skin.
Acrylic paint may contain carcinogens (cancer causing agents).
Some reactions to acrylic paints are blistering and even marks that can last up to a year.
Many people do not have a reaction to acrylic paints, but the chances are much greater than with professional face paints.
Not even FDA approved paints are 100% allergen free guaranteed.
Non toxic means you won't die (right away anyway) if you eat it.
Products for the skin should be FDA approved. Acrylic paints are not.
Craft paints are meant for crafts, not skin.
If you use non FDA approved paints, your insurance will not cover you.
If you use approved products you can avoid costly lawyer fees should a festival you're participating in be sued.

Thanks so much!

Catz,

So, which Paints did you find to be FDA APPROVED???

This is a trick Question, I'll tell you that up front!

Jenny

Half of it is common sense. Here in HK there are 2 shops (hard to find, professional make up artists only know about them) selling small pots of 'proper' face & body stuff.

Everyone buys the cheap rubbish paints/ crayon sticks etc from toy shops/ the fancy dress street to decorate themselves at the MANY public dress up events (Halloween, Hungry Ghosts festival, Mardi Gras, Ruby 7s etc).

I often get asked why i use the stuff I have here which they correctly guess is way more expensive. I ask them to think of the day after any of the big events when people DIY paint themselves...you are guaranteed to see badly stained faces on the trains/ streets as the poor souls go to work without being able to get it off. And MANY adults (often pro models) I paint, let alone kids, had stuff put on that hurt to get off or even hurt when they wore it.

The other thing is the quality SHOWS when it is on. I painted a guy as Avatar Na'vi for his costume at the Rugby 7s on Sat, mainly in DFX, and a bunch of others did too, DIY with who knows what. My guy came back to our stall 6 hrs later to get his nose, lips and underarms touched up before going on for the night out, which he hardly needed; from the press pics I see the DIY blue paints had cracked, crumbled and looked like some wierd mange-ridden blue flaked reptile mud mask before lunch. That is NOT all down to the application!

Cat x

I've been face painting a long time over 20 years, I've never used anything but acrylic paint. I have always tested the paints on myself and have found one brand better and more expensive but no staining and no irritation. I have never had anyone come back with any issues, except a intresting sunburn on a young woman's cleavage.
I purchased a set of snazzoo for a church function recently, and they are really nice to work with but I like the feel of acrylic, the look. I'm teaching a young lady how to face paint and have given her my snazzoo set, she likes them and did a great job. I want her to go into this using what is recommended and safe.
My question is when did the newer face painting stuff become the norm? At rennisance festivals in Texas all they use is acrylic.
I guess I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and invest in the new stuff. I have seen some face painters use grease paint and that stuff is messy and within mins of painting a kids face it's ruined.
I realize that acrylic paint isn't ment for skin, however after all these years I've never had any problems that's not saying a problem won't ever come up.
I'm rambling...
I guess I'm asking why did face painters change over?

shandi wrote:I've been face painting a long time over 20 years, I've never used anything but acrylic paint.

I guess I'm asking why did face painters change over?

Hi Shandi,

Thanks for having the courage to post.

FDA complaint paints (actually water activated makeup) use ingredients and colorants that comply with FDA cosmetic regulations.

Acrylics and Craft supplies do not have such standards to hold up. There could be any colorant or dye combined to make up the perfect art color.

Just because you don't personally have an anecdote about a reaction does not mean that using acrylic paints is safe.

~Michelle

I used to paint myself with acrylics, but just little red, yellow, and green stars near my eyes or on my arms whenever I would go to a Bolivian Festival or Dance. First of all, it drys funny, like you can tell it's all stiff. Then it starts to crack, etc..Plus I noticed everytime I washed it off, it was slightly irritated. But this was way before I knew about Face painting and I was just using my regular extra stuff lying around.

Oh yeah, and you cant get that stuff to blend in so nicely on a face. Has anyone accidentally gotten paint in a kid's eye? I know I've had it done to me by other face painters and it didn't bother me, but I don't know what the reaction would have been if it was acrylics or watercolors... I don't even want to think about it!

Also- here is the link to Snazaroo's Acrylics FAQ:

http://www.snazaroo.us/faqacrylics.htm

Takeaway - write to the manufacturer and ask them if their products are safe to use on children's faces.

I know I won't be suprised at their response.

~Michelle

so to answer my question it's been since about 2001? that explains alot. I have been in the middle of nowhere for about 6years and have only done a bout 5 gigs in that time. I do agree however will all the reasons why you should NOT use acrylic paint.

I'm glad you are searching for answers, Shandi

Welcome to the enlightened side!

~Michelle