Safety
All of my face paints and glitter are of the highest cosmetic grade and are approved by EU and FDA.

Here is some educational info for better understanding:
Cosmetic vs Non-toxic

Only paints and products designed for use on the skin should be used for face painting. All of the products MUST say ‘cosmetic’ or ‘makeup’ or 'face and body paint' on them. Any reputable face paint artist will gladly share the names of the paints they use with you (as I do below). If they won’t tell you, that is a big red flag and not worth the risk.  “I’ve always used craft paints, and had no problems at all” or “Everything we use is “Non-Toxic” are not acceptable answers.

Why is this important?  The skin is the largest organ of the body. Its job is to protect everything within it. But we must treat it kindly and with products designed only for its use. Using products with a cosmetic or a makeup rating ensures that it has undergone vigorous extensive testing and met a high standard. Craft paints are not designed for use on the skin and therefore do not meet these standards. In fact, many craft paints have common allergens and carcinogens in them. Any craft paint company will advise you not to expose the skin to many of their products. They were not designed for such use and could result in rashes, scarring, blisters, etc.

The truth about NON-TOXIC: Non-toxic truly means that you can touch or ingest/eat something bearing that label and probably not die as a result. The stomach has powerful acids to dilute or digest the particles to render them with minimal harm to the digestive system. Products absorbed through the skin do not go through such process. You can actually eat poison ivy with less consequence than if you rub it on your skin. (Because the digestive juices beginning with the saliva in your mouth begin to neutralize it immediately.) Especially the kids’ skin: small children become intoxicated after prolonged skin exposure to alcohol (ethanol bandages applied to damaged skin). Bottom line: "Non-toxic" means safe to eat, not to rub on the skin. Another important detail: face paints are designed to be used on many faces in a row, so they already contain antibacterial agents in them.

Glitter or sparkles must have a cosmetic rating as well. Cosmetic grade glitter is cut finer and in an octagon shape and is made of polyester. This means that should it get into the eye, it won’t scratch the cornea. It may cause some discomfort no more than getting an eyelash in your eye, but it will do no harm. Polyester glitter feels very soft when rubbed between your fingers. Glitters purchased in the craft department are often metallic and bigger pieces so they sparkle in a bolder fashion than needed for makeup. It feels gritty when rubbed between the fingers. Metallic craft glitter should not be used for face painting. The only safe glitters for face painting are made of polyester, and should be .008 microns in size or smaller. That is the size that the FDA classifies as “cosmetic size” and safe for use on skin.

The products I use are:

Paradise by Mehron
Mehron cosmetic products are manufactured in the USA using only FDA listed materials.
The raw materials that Mehron uses are also globally compliant with cosmetic guidelines,
and their products are not tested on animals. www.mehron.com

Mehron was founded in 1927 by Mehron Melik who began producing Professional Theatrical Makeup by hand for the Performers of his day. Over eight decades later, Mehron is still producing Professional Performance Makeup with quality ingredients in the USA. Mehron makeup has applied the knowledge it has gained from eight decades of professional theatrical makeup production to all aspects of application. Mehron has the most extensive collection of Face and Body painting materials in the makeup industry. Professional makeup artists and Face and Body painters from all over the world have always relied on the quality, durability and innovation of Mehron. Mehron has a worldwide presence. Its products are used by the Cirque du Soleil, The American Ballet Theatre, The Metropolitan Opera and many other renowned professional organizations.

Previous Experience:
Over 10 years of private birthdays, Halloween and Christmas parties (15-40 faces)
Corporate parties and street events (100-5000 guests, e.g. Rogers, LiUNA, BIAs, CBC Fair, etc.)
Withrow Park Farmers' Market (2012-current)
Ashkenaz Festival (Harbourfront Centre, 2014-current)
Hiroshima Day (Nathan Phillips Square, 2014-current)
Walk for the Children, Herbie Fund at the Sick Kids Hospital (Toronto Zoo)
Taste of the Danforth Festival (2012-current)
Toronto East Rotary Club Arts and Crafts Show (2011-current)

Rates:
Toronto GTA: $150 the first hour • $100 for each consecutive hour
Toronto Riverdale/Greektown: $100 per hour

About the Artist:

Some face painters get into the business because they saw someone else doing it and thought to themselves, “I can do that.” Some others are clowns and entertainers (which is a wonderful talent, of course), who learned a couple of simple balloon twists along with a couple of face painting designs to be more versatile when being chosen to entertain at parties.
But how many of Face Painters are professional illustrators and artists?
Hint: Please see my illustration and fine art portfolios.
Being a classically trained artist AND a mom is a winning combination for a Face Painter.

Safety, experience and rates are reflected above. Another common question is speed.
I paint fast. 10-15 faces per hour, depending on age and complexity of designs.
Please consider this number when deciding how many hours to book me for.
Note: It is a misunderstanding that smaller designs or cheek art are faster. They are not.
Cheek art / eye design involves much more detail. Full face painting takes the same or less time
as it uses broader strokes and is more forgiving if the model moves.
Of course, simple hearts and stars on the cheek are faster, but then why to hire a face paint artist
in the first place? It’s the transformation into something beautiful or scary
that is the attraction of face paint art. If all you want is for each person
to have something really quick, then it's best to hand out some temporary tattoos.

My only accomodation requirements are:
two facing chairs, and any surface (a table, another chair, windowsill,
flower bed etc.) to place my paints.
My supplies are extremely compact and will fit just one square foot.

I happily work anywhere:

in your private little backyard...

...or Nathan Phillips Square

...or at the Toronto Zoo

...or anywhere in between

My past flyers