Nothing says a “party” like a face paint station. Just about every child (and some grown-ups, too) loves to have their face transformed into a butterfly, zombie, superhero, pumpkin, or puppy. Even better, even the squirrliest kids will often wait patiently in line for their turn. But how do you know which face paint is the best to buy for your child’s next birthday party? We’re testing out face paint sets to discover the top choices. Read on to see what I thought about the Snazaroo Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack and if its palette is a pass or the life of the party.
Entertainment Value: Bravo
This is a fun, basic face paint set that has gotten quite a bit of use in my household. I like that it includes everything you might need to utilize the paints, such as application tools and sponges, and an informative how-to booklet with face paint designs. The included face painting guide really elevates this kit by offering kid-friendly ideas—from a bunny to a dinosaur—that turn out great in as little as three steps. This guide makes the set especially good for inexperienced or youth face painters who might want a bit of guidance or inspiration. My 16-year-old daughter created several of these looks (and a few more of her own) on her little brothers with much approval; this is a big success as they’re not always so easy to please. We found that simple tweaks and details (like a pink nose or a sprout of whiskers) gave each face the tell-tale signs and spirit of whichever creature we were going for. Her most successful creations were a panda, a puppy, and a turtle. Even better, these designs are accessible for adults, too. Topping each look with a smattering of glitter was a big hit. My 8-year-old son loved painting designs on his arms. He made a parade of sports equipment, such as a basketball, soccer ball, and football. On rainy days (we’ve got those a lot in Oregon), this face paint kit is in heavy rotation.
Performance: Workable
This set covers all the standard colors of the rainbow, plus the bonus of silver glitter gel. We were able to achieve good quality and vividly colorful face paint designs with this set. However, we did feel that some of the colors could be a bit brighter and truer. There is a watered-down feeling to the colors, particularly the white and red, making it hard to get a potent cherry red or a solid, snowy white. Still, the results we got were quite nice (an extra coating or two gives more opaque looks). No matter, the kids were happy. These paints were specially formulated for delicate skin by dermatologists and toxicologists. They are fragrance-free, water-based, and come off easily with soap and warm water without any scrubbing. They feel smooth and creamy for the wearer and are likewise easy to apply by adding a bit of water to each pot of paint. The designs wear well, but after a few hours, the colors thin out or fade.
Design: Gets the job done
Snazaroo’s Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack is made in the U.K., and all its ingredients are non-toxic and compliant with EU and U.S. regulations for cosmetics and toys. My main gripe is that the kit itself is a thin, brittle molded piece of black plastic with 12 circles of paint in the middle (which look to me like the chocolates of a grocery store chocolate advent calendar) and molded spaces to hold the 3 brushes, 4 sponges, and two pots of glitter gel at either end. The container is fitted with a clear plastic top that fits over it but doesn’t really close. This is then enclosed in a box with a window that lets you see the paint colors inside. The instruction booklet is also tucked inside the box. There are 10 1-inch diameter paint pots (blue, rose, green, orange, brown, yellow, red, purple, pink, and blue) as well as slightly larger (1.5 inches in diameter) circles of black and white paint. This setup works well and it’s great that each item has a home. However, the flimsy cardboard box it came in is the case for the kit and it isn’t that durable. It would be a big improvement to have a securely closing top to the set. Also, it would be preferable if the base of the set wasn’t made of thin plastic, and if it came in a sturdier box. My case is already splitting and its box is already losing its shape and doesn’t close properly.
Wearability and Removal: Snazzy
Snazaroo’s Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack paints go on smoothly and thickly with layering. The colors may need a coat or two for optimal opaqueness (particularly for white and red), but the hues show up brightly for the most part. They feel moist going on and dry pleasantly so that the wearer barely feels it. We easily washed off the colors in the shower using mild soap and warm water. It’s recommended to test face paint on a small patch of skin, such as on the arm, to ensure no reactivity issues before applying to the entire face.
Price: A mid-range bargain
The Snazaroo Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack retails for around $20. This is a great price for a good quality, hypoallergenic face paint set designed for sensitive skin with bright colors that go on smoothly and opaquely using just a bit of water. Other sets geared to children range in cost from around $5 up to $35 or more. Professional sets come in around $100 on up. This set distinguishes itself with great application tools and easy application (paintbrushes instead of oily crayons). It also washes off easily. Oily crayon style paints require more pressure to apply and remove and can be more reactive to skin.
Competition: Snazaroo Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack vs. Mehron Makeup Paradise AQ Pro Face Paint Palette
Both of these sets offer palettes of bold colors that are easy-to-use and are made of high-quality, non-toxic ingredients suitable for all skin types. The Snazaroo set offers 12 basic colors and 2 glitter gels and application tools for $20, while the Mahron product features 30 richly pigmented colors for $100. The Mahron palette does not have application tools or glitter; however, it offers more color options and is a more high-end set intended for adult use. Both are great options but if you plan on casual use and/or on having kids use the set, go with the Snazaroo product. If you want to invest in a professional-grade set with more vivid color options, go with the Mehron palette. Snazaroo’s Face Paint Ultimate Party Pack is a great face paint buy as it includes 12 solid colors, glitter gels, application tools, and a step-by-step instruction booklet full of creative face paint designs for the bargain price of $20. Plus, these creamy, sensitive skin-safe paints go on easily and wear comfortably.
