Face paint is a go-to for fun dress-up play, costume parties, school events, and more. But what if you find yourself without any face paint on hand? Not to worry - you can grab everyday items from the pantry or makeup bag to create colorful masterpieces all over friends' and family's faces. Read on for top suggestions that can be used instead of store-bought face paints when you need to get creative in a pinch.
Eyeliner and Eyeshadow
When blended carefully over clean skin, pencil eyeliners, liquid liners, cream eye shadows and powder shadows transform into vibrant face paints full of intense pigment. Use angled brushes for fine details or thicker paint brushes for bolder swaths of color that truly pop. Just avoid application too near eyes and be sure to set makeup with translucent powder so hues won't transfer or smudge during wear.
Lip Color
That's right - lipstick, tinted balm, and lip gloss easily stand in for face paint, with no mixing required. Matte lipsticks and liquid lip colors work best as their staying power outlasts sheerer products. Sweep lip color straight from the tube onto the facial features you wish to accentuate. Dab a bit onto the apple of each cheek for a quick rosy flush or use a lip brush for more precise strokes when "drawing" on hearts, stars, and more freehand whimsical shapes.
Food Coloring
A few drops of standard liquid food coloring blended with moisturizer, sunscreen, aloe vera gel, or face lotion concocts DIY paint perfect for facial artistry. Mix and match primary shades of red, yellow, and blue to produce custom secondary hues of orange, green, and purple. While not quite as vivid as commercial face paints, food coloring blends effortlessly without streaking onto the skin for understated yet still noticeable looks.
Petroleum Jelly
For a glossier finish compared to matte powder and cream bases, combine a dollop of petroleum jelly with a teaspoon of cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Next, work in several drops of food coloring until you reach the desired intensity. The petroleum jelly allows color to slide smoothly onto the skin, sets quickly, and holds up even on hot sweaty summer days. Just be sure to avoid dairy and nut-based products which may trigger breakouts and rashes.
With the right techniques and tools, crafting magical face paint looks sans actual face paint is achievable. Safety test all makeshift mixtures beforehand and remove them with gentle soap and water. Then prepare for the compliments to come pouring in over your crafty paint creations!
