Is this cheating?

I am quite new at the whole face-painting world, and while I am practicing like crazy at my line work, when I'm trying to work fast it still gets quite sloppy. I was in Sally beauty supply the other day and noticed this felt-tipped eyeliner. I now know that it is in the drug stores and such as well (I simply don't buy makeup at these places so I hadn't seen it). well I decided to give it a try and used it in outlining some practice pictures on my arm, and it was so easy and made nice dark thin lines. is it cheating to use one of these to outline for speed? or is there another reason not to use it (like does it not stay on well or something like that?)
I'm curious for info from others who do this and have more experience (which is pretty much everyone here)

I think they are basically like the "Detailz" sold for detailing--seemed interesting, but I don't use them...don't know if they are cost-effective in the long run or not?

I think it would dry out way too fast and not be worth it. For the amount of black used in most designs, you would use it up in a few gigs! I've used the Loreal Intense with a felt tip just as liner and it lasted about 2 1/2 months. That was just once a day and some days, I wouldn't wear any makeup t all.

Now, if you could find, just the felt tip, that would be interesting Maybe they have something like this at Sally's or even at an Arts/crafts store?!

You may just need to try more paint brushes and more practice

I'm sure I do need more practice- I'm working at that part. I have tons of brushes because I've been canvas painting for years. The thing is- a canvas doesn't move and squirm, so I can take my time but I'm thinking of picking up a few more liners of different kinds.
Thanks to both of you, though, because this is exactly the info I was looking for. I figured there was probably a reason why I hadn't really heard anyone talk about using those, but now I know.

You should also consider the brand you are using for your lines, teardrops and dots. Most facepainters on this forum uses either Diamond FX, Wolfe or Paradise for their lines.

The black and white from these brands are more pigmented and create more "solid" and smooth lines whereas Snazaroo are better for just bases since it can be a little "weak" in colour.

Don't give up on your brushes just yet! Brush and sponge is alpha and omega for a facepainter!

Also consider that make up is made for one individual, I don't think they are made with anti bacterial qualities that our face paints are, and I'm not sure the shelf life of make up before it goes bad since there are no preservatives. I'm not an expert, I just think I recall hearing this before about other products, and when they do samples...they never use the actual make up directly on users, they use disposable applicators.

That's very true!

You can not use a tube of mascara on each other for fear of eye infections. MUAs use individual wands and throw them away

Same with lipgloss, too

Since you are using a wand and dipping it back into the tube, you can't use it

If you want to you can clean and reuse the felt tipped applicator.... they don't last very long but I clean the ones from eye liners and reuse them a couple times before they get blunted.

Since you have brushes you have used for canvas like I have, a word of warning - don't use those same brushes on children as they still have some residue of the dangerous carcinogens found in craft & fine art paint.

When I first started face painting before I discovered the fabulous FP resources online like this one, I used my new Donna Dewberry flat brushes and inexpensive round brushes that I still use to this day (and require for my students to use in class;) I must have over several hundred brushes in my studio but they are all in seperate containers for each technique (oil, acrylic, etc) with my face painting brushes that stay with my kit.

Using make up is kinda pricey as compared to the amount and longetivity of professional face paints like Snazaroo that can be found in local art stores like AC Moore and Michael's, using coupons both accept.
Happy Painting,
Susan

[The thing is- a canvas doesn't move and squirm, so I can take my time tongue but I'm thinking of picking up a few more liners of different kinds.quote]


That made me laugh... I have gotten so used to painting the kids that when I paint a canvas now, my husband offers to put it on a lazy Susan and let it go! lol

srbolton wrote:I am quite new at the whole face-painting world, and while I am practicing like crazy at my line work, when I'm trying to work fast it still gets quite sloppy. I was in Sally beauty supply the other day and noticed this felt-tipped eyeliner. I now know that it is in the drug stores and such as well (I simply don't buy makeup at these places so I hadn't seen it). well I decided to give it a try and used it in outlining some practice pictures on my arm, and it was so easy and made nice dark thin lines. is it cheating to use one of these to outline for speed? or is there another reason not to use it (like does it not stay on well or something like that?)
I'm curious for info from others who do this and have more experience (which is pretty much everyone here)

I'm only going to add that nothing is "cheating" if it works for you.

There is a face paint store/workshop place not far from me. In there shop they have the maybelline felt eye liner. I dont have it, but they say they have tried many brands and this is the one that the tip dosn't blunt on. what they recomend it for is outlining/detailing cheek art. thier example is a small set of ballet shoes on a cheek. I would link them but they are a face paint shop. so you have to take the abridged version. They don't recomend it for everything as it is not cost effective but do for small and fiddly things, in order to speed up.