We tested and researched numerous face paints to find the best formulas, evaluating them on color payoff, ease of use, and value. We also consulted Sheilagh Maguiness, MD for her professional insight on ingredients and skin safety. Our top pick, Kryvaline Face Paint Kit, offers vivid colors, pro-level wear, and a smattering of fun stencils. Here are the best face paints for kids and professionals. The kit contains a set of professional-grade makeup brushes, too, one of which is ultra-fine and perfect for detailing. For a more overall paint-job, or for creating a base, use one of the included sponges. The formulas are blendable, extremely creamy, and vibrant. They’re safe, too—each of the paints is FDA-compliant, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic. Lastly, this all-in-one set is complete with stencils (you’ll look like a pro even if you’re a beginner!). You’ll also find sequins—as well as biodegradable face glitter—for adding a sparkling, finishing touch. Color Count: 16 | Accessories Included: Glitter (biodegradable), stencils, sequins, brushes, sponges | Age Recommendation: All ages Moreover, each creamy pigment is extremely blend-friendly, vibrant, and perfect for creating intricate, realistic designs on the skin—whether it’s for special effects, cosplay, or just for fun. The colors are buildable, too, so you can create a dynamic look. While the price tag isn’t the cheapest, these pigments are a prime example of getting what you pay for. Color Count: 12 | Accessories Included: Not listed | Age Recommendation: Adults Color Count: 8 | Accessories Included: Not listed | Age Recommendation: Adults The kit also includes liquid latex for creating skin lesions. You’ll also be able to create realistic-looking bruises, wrinkles, and so much more. The sky’s the limit with this kit, and it’s beginner-friendly enough to not feel overly intimidating, while also meeting higher standards with pro-grade special effects. Color Count: 15+; also includes fake blood and liquid latex | Accessories Included: Cotton swabs, brushes, sponges, setting powder, makeup remover, prosthetic sealer | Age Recommendation: Adult This set is cruelty-free, gentle on sensitive skin, and surprisingly easy to work with. The colors are varied and buildable, last for hours without rubbing off (even during kids’ playtimes), and wash off easily without excess rubbing or tugging on kids’ delicate skin. Best of all, this kit is an incredible value for the price. It lasts dozens of face paint sessions, so you can rest assured that every kid at a birthday party and beyond will receive their fair share of fantastically whimsical face painting without running out. (FYI: Here’s another kid-friendly face paint option we like). Color Count: 12 | Accessories Included: Instructional book, glitter, two application brushes | Age Recommendation: Kids The kit comes with an impressive array of different-sized brushes, too, which is great for detail-work. Thanks to its sturdy plastic container, this kit is easy to transport, without risking an explosion of multicolored makeup in your kit, travel bag, or suitcase. We also love that this set is cruelty-free. Color Count: 36 | Accessories Included: 10 brushes | Age Recommendation: Adults All in all, this set is a good one to have on hand for creative kids or adults who love to whip out face paint on a whim without breaking the bank. Perfect for recreational use, we think it’s a great idea to incorporate these paints into your next Halloween craft night. Color Count: 12 | Accessories Included: Not listed | Age Recommendation: Kids
Quality
If you’re looking for vibrant, opaque color payoff in a single stroke, you’ll likely need to spend a little more money for a high quality or professional-grade face paint kit. While these kits may be more expensive than others, their saturated pigment often means using only a fraction of the amount per project that you’d use from a kit of lower quality. If you foresee yourself using face paint frequently, a professional-grade kit may be worth the money. Just as skin care quality matters in terms of how it makes your skin feel, face paint quality can also make a difference—particularly if you have sensitive skin or acne-prone skin. If you’re dealing with either of the two, Dr. Maguiness suggests doing a patch test prior to painting.
Skill Level
If you’re buying face paint for young kids, consider mess-free options, such as a retractable crayon-style face paint. If you’re a skilled painter, artist, or cosplayer, you’ll likely want to invest in a palette containing numerous colors with rich pigment payoff. Beginner face-painters may find stencils helpful; luckily, many face paint sets include stencils.
Why Trust The Spruce
Sophie Wirt is an NYC-based writer and editor, has been penning product reviews, interviews, and investigative pieces—primarily within the beauty industry—since 2015. Thankfully, she adds that these incidents have led to real improvements and higher standards in this niche industry.” Nevertheless, “It’s still necessary to carefully read the label when you’re looking at face paints on the market today.” Dr. Maguiness advises picking a face paint that’s labeled FDA-compliant, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic. If, however, you’re going for a gory halloween look that involves creating believable gashes, you’ll want to look for a bevy of supplies in addition to the paint itself, like liquid latex, setting spray, and adhesive, which are often included in special effects kits. If you’re an adult cosplayer, the best face paint may be a palette containing numerous bright colors that allow for mixing, blending, and vibrant pigment payoff. Depending on the look you’re going for, you may also want to consider body paint. Many professional-grade palettes are also suitable for body painting. To remove face paint, first identify whether it’s an oil-based paint or a water-based paint. If it’s oil-based, Dr. Maguiness advises using an oil-based cleanser to remove. For best results, she recommends following with a regular gentle cleanser or micellar water. Water-based face paints are typically easier to remove. She says a simple cleanser and water should do the trick. We also consulted Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, dermatologist and co-founder of Stryke Club for her professional insight on face paint and skin safety.
