Derivan Face & Body Paint...HELP!

I was asked on the spot today to paint at my kids playgroup for thier circus theme (anything goes) and all we had was derivan face and body paint (I didn't have my mini kit -shock horror). Well I will just say that my painting looked very much like I had never painted a face before in my life as I just couldn't get the hang of the product!!!
Does anyone know how it is best applied? I tried my usual method of wet brush and damp sponge and it was terrible! Then I tried dry brush and dry sponge and it was not as terrible but still heartbreaking! I hope there are some other aussies onboard who know what I'm talking about??
I really don't want to get caught short again, derivan has a relativley good reputation. HELP!

i found the best application was to throw it in the bin lol. was what i used b4 i discoved "real face paint". i have heard of people using it as a base for body art though as it spreads on quick, but don't know how it would go with trying to paint over it in real body paint hmmm. there are some youtube tutorials using the stuff maybe try them! good luck!!!...

I agree with Synni throw it in the bin.

Yup.... completely bin worthy.... you can also assume the same with Globe, and Tim Gratton.
These paints NEED a base under them..... it should say that on the side... the last time I looked it did.
If you use a base, like sorbaleen (sp?) it does go on better and cracks and peels less, but the truth is it sucks the big one!
There is no way to get a nice blend and even you lining is a joke.
The good thing about this is we know our clients can't buy what we use.
It's a shame that you didn't have some good decent paint with you, as it would have been an instant education for them.
Poor little kids..... their skin deserves better then that crap.
Tim gratton and his wife Suzan are on anothe rforum that I'm on that will remain nameless.... I have wanted so many times to hit him with a 'please explain?'.... they have even started running there own Body Painting Comp here in Sydney..... I wonder how it's possible that any body painted with that paint could look anywhere near as good as something we would paint with TAg or DFX or Paradise.
Oh well I guess they do very well supplying all the art stores and costume stores around Australia!
Here's a good idea...... send an email to Derivan outlining what you have said here and see what they say..... I would be interested to know their defense for such a crappy product.
Bad news is I was in Bunnings the other day and they are selling Palmers, which up untill now was only a problem in the USA. This paint is even worse then Derivan..... I know it's hard to imagine!

You also have to put a barrier cream on first, then throw it in the bin.

Tell the playgroup that you'll help them raise $200 and invest in a kit of paints that are safe and easy to use http://www.tagbodyart.com/shoppingcart/products/TAG-Face-Paint-Starter-Kit.html (then go to kits, I have an inability to link stuff, my doctors looking into it), then throw the derivan in the bin again.

Tash wrote:Yup.... completely bin worthy.... you can also assume the same with Globe, and Tim Gratton.
These paints NEED a base under them..... it should say that on the side... the last time I looked it did.
If you use a base, like sorbaleen (sp?) it does go on better and cracks and peels less, but the truth is it sucks the big one!
There is no way to get a nice blend and even you lining is a joke.
The good thing about this is we know our clients can't buy what we use.
It's a shame that you didn't have some good decent paint with you, as it would have been an instant education for them.
Poor little kids..... their skin deserves better then that crap.
Tim gratton and his wife Suzan are on anothe rforum that I'm on that will remain nameless.... I have wanted so many times to hit him with a 'please explain?'.... they have even started running there own Body Painting Comp here in Sydney..... I wonder how it's possible that any body painted with that paint could look anywhere near as good as something we would paint with TAg or DFX or Paradise.
Oh well I guess they do very well supplying all the art stores and costume stores around Australia!
Here's a good idea...... send an email to Derivan outlining what you have said here and see what they say..... I would be interested to know their defense for such a crappy product.
Bad news is I was in Bunnings the other day and they are selling Palmers, which up untill now was only a problem in the USA. This paint is even worse then Derivan..... I know it's hard to imagine!

I updated my kit 2 years ago and forgot to update my mini! Normally I would have carried my aqua color mini with me. I'm getting there though! Made the switch to TAG what a blessing that stuff is and I'll be investing in thier minis for the PG and kids ministry and ME!
I had seen the palmers in Bunnings and thought wtf??? Good thing I didn't bother to test it.
I checked out some videos on you tube and yup! she uses the white under all of the colours to get it happening! Thanks for the info I've not seen Tim Gratton in the stores (will avoid at all costs now) and I use mostly kryolan anyway (old habits die hard!)

Well I guess this is it! Bye Bye Derivan!

wow, I almost wanna try this stuff now just to see what yall are talking about.

In reference to Palmer's.. no, I don't think that there could possibly be a WORSE body or face paint than that stuff... it's sticky, goopy, stains, never fully dries, cracks, and itches.. it's horrid! I have no idea WHY it's so prevalent????

I feel like I have tried the Tim Gratton stuff before.. or I saw Shannon or Pam using it in New Mexico several years back.. if I recall, it worked really well???

I is confoooozed. We don't really have those brands here in America.

It's possible Tim Gratton changed their ingredients since I tried them.... I do know people use it for airbrushing bodies.... so ... not sure....
Ashley - belive me you don't want to know.... What Australian's think is Face painting... well... let's just say we need to evolve a little down under!

I had the Tim Gratton black Ash. And ONLY the black. Every other colour sucks.

And, I dilute the black 50/50 with water to apply with a brush. I only use it for body painting - tried it once on a face and my model said it tastes like Calomine lotion...

I love it for body painting though... dries flat and smooth, no streaks and hold for hours and hours and hours. You can paint over it and no bleed through or blending of colour.

Hi Guys, Thought I might hop in on this as I have used and LOVE Derivan paint for nearly 20yrs.I think face paint is a lot like cosmetics, it’s what you get use to. I love working with this super fast super vibrant liquid face paint. I find it covers beautifully with a slightly damp sponge by swiping and patting until desired coverage is achieved. What I love the most is with my brush I can just dip straight into the paint, no activating and working the paint like palettes. Just dip and paint! I still struggle to find any paint that equals this paint when it comes to double loading for my flower work. You do not need to use a barrier cream and I have never had a problem applying the paint direct to the skin. Derivan is made to the very strict and high Australian standards. If you look at my web site you will see the artwork I have achieved with Derivan face and body paint. Re the cracking my advice would be you have applied too much paint, I paint my face with it and by the end of the day the flower work may be slightly cracked but the colors remain vibrant and once dry never smudge like most of the palette paints especially in a humid climate, where I find the palette paints just never set. Although I have used a range of different palette paints over the years, some I liked, some I didn’t, some stained, some took a lot of time to activate but I would never speak harshly of another brand as they all have their place. If you have impossible numbers to face paint at a venue, you want a fast vibrant pure pigment AND a paint that will wash off little faces easily then Derivan is the best paint on the market. I am working at the moment with Derivan creating some tutorials on how to use it they should be up in a week.

Ok It should be said that Chantal sells her books on the shelf next to Derivan in all our craft, art and costume store.... so well yeah.
The truth is Derivan stained my daughters skin for days, and left her with red marks after i gently soaked and used moisturiser and olive oil.
Derivan is the reason I started looking for good quality paint. Because half the people were using this at festivals I couldn't allow my daughter to be painted by them. Thats' how I found Paradise.
Sorry but if you think face paint is like cosmetics then really why not use cosmetic grade products.... not just Australian Standard... of which we have none, that's why we use the FDA for compliance. I wish Australia did.

Chantal - I have seen your book... well books... even though it's mainly the same designs reprinted in both, and honestly you think the Tiger on the front cover of "FACE ART by Chantal the Fairy" is anywhere close to what we do here?
I know you have been in the business for a long time and I do want to give you the respect you deserve, but there is no-way your product is better then Paradise.... let alone Tag, DFX, Snaz, Wolfe and countless others.
Why do you need a barrier cream under if it's so good?
Sorry but you are wasting your time preaching to us about a product we have all tried and thrown away!
I realise you have ties with this company - but I think you should know 99% of professional painters in Australia won't touch the stuff.
Try the Aussie forum and you'll see.

You can not do half of the designs we do with this paint. (Rainbow butterfly/Tiger/kitty anyone?)

How about you introduce yourself to the forum and participate in our discussions and comps and get to know us a little, before you just post to advertise a product you are in cahoots with. Oh and if you ask us to look at your site it would be nice if you posted a link for us.
I'm sure Derivan might like to know what the artists here have said about their product.

I'm really sorry if this came off rude..... but it really irks me when people come on our forum just to promote THEIR products. If you want to be part of the group ... Great, but if you just want to promote..... yeah..... no thanks.
We like unbiased reviews here.

Firstly ‘Ouch’ I thought forums were nice places! I was not promoting but giving my view of your harsh critic of a product I like. If you read my note you notice you DO NOT need to use a barrier crème under it.
In regards to the Australian Standards vs FDA standards. The Australian Standards for face paint are taken directly off the European Standards, which have been adopted worldwide (except for the USA). In fact, Derivan Face Paint complies with the FDA standards in all regards for the base formula, it is only the pigments that are not FDA certified. I say pigments, as Derivan use high quality, cosmetic grade pigments, and FDA standard require you to use dyes! Not only are they dyes, but often they are metal salts (such as barium, which I wouldn’t want on my kids skin) that have had the dye impregnated onto them! I have never ever had the staining that you said happened to your daughter and as I said I have used the paint for nearly 20 yrs. Re my book, it is designed as a STARTERS guide from basic to more complex designs, each edition is not a new book but an upgraded version taking designs from previous books and adding new ones. I have sold 60,000 books and inspired many to find the joy I have from this beautiful industry.
And certainly sorry I forgot to post a link, the link for more information is chantalfairy.com and derivan.com.au

As I said I'm sorry if I came off rude - this forum is a very nice place, but we keep it that way by having unbiased comments.
You are affiliated with the product, your books are sold side by side with them and recommend using them.
I was just trying to point out that of course you would think it is a great product if you are affiliated with it... and that it wouldn't seem like promotion if you came and introduced yourself and didn't use your first post to promote a product you are affiliated with.
I wasn't lying about my daughters reaction.... and now I'm wishing I hadn't thrown it all away as I would check the whole barrier cream issue.
You are welcome to your view, just as we have tried and tested the product and are welcome to ours.... I'm sorry again if I made you feel like I was attacking you. I just felt like it was a very biased review and people need to know where you were coming from.
I did look at your site and you do some lovely work and are a great artist, you are very welcome here, and so is your opinion.
I'm not going to argue with you about dyes and pigments but think perhaps you should look into Paradise by Mehron to see what I am comparing Derivan too.... one is a paint and one is a make-up.
As I said you stepped on a nerve when I felt you most probably got a google alert about Derivan in these posts and joined just so you can promote the product we are all disliking so....
if this is not the case I apologies .... I realise I was assuming those things and have no idea if you just happened to join up and stumble across this thread.

Just went to the site.... this is the First paragraph you read on the site....

"Derivan Face & Body Paint
face and body paint family

Derivan Face & Body Paint is a safe, non-toxic paint for use on the face and body over a barrier cream.


Sorry but why say different?
It goes on to say this about using it on the skin :
Although Derivan Face & Body Paint has been specially formulated for use on the skin, it is not recommended for persons with sensitive skin or skin conditions. If in doubt, apply a small amount to the inside of the wrist and leave for one hour.

Do not apply to open wounds. Avoid contact with eyes, nasal passages, mouth or other orifices as abrasive irritation may occur.

This would explain my daughters reaction.
Sorry but this information has come directly from their site. If in your experience this is not the case.... I'm willing to accept that they have this written as a 'just in case scenario'.