Face Painter Hire in London

Face painters typically charge £100 to £200 for a two-hour children's party. A one-hour session costs £80 to £130. For festivals or corporate events requiring a full day, expect £250 to £400 per artist. Glitter bar setups for hen parties and adult events cost £150 to £300 for two to three hours. All supplies are usually included in the price.

Verify they use professional, hypoallergenic paints that comply with EU cosmetics regulations. Check their portfolio for quality and variety of designs. Confirm they hold public liability insurance and a valid DBS check if they will be working with children. Ask about their hygiene practices — clean brushes and sponges for each guest should be standard. Read reviews on Gathrd for comments about their manner with children and speed of painting.

A face painter needs a table, a chair for the person being painted, and access to clean water. Good natural or artificial light is important for detailed work. At outdoor London events, a shaded area is essential — direct sunlight makes the paints dry too fast and is uncomfortable for both artist and subject. Most artists bring everything else they need. Allow a space of about 2m by 2m for the setup, with room for a small queue.

A skilled face painter typically paints 8 to 12 faces per hour, depending on the complexity of the designs. Simple designs like a butterfly or spider take 3 to 5 minutes, while elaborate full-face designs like a tiger or dragon can take 8 to 10 minutes. For parties with more than 20 children, consider booking a second artist or offering glitter tattoos alongside face painting to keep the queue short.

Professional face painters use paints specifically formulated for skin that comply with EU cosmetics regulations. These are non-toxic, water-based, and hypoallergenic. However, if your child has known skin allergies or eczema, inform the artist beforehand. A good face painter will do a small patch test behind the ear before applying a full design. The paint washes off easily with warm water and soap.