Thank you for taking a moment to read these. They help every event run smoothly and keep the magic flowing for every guest.
Pricing and time
Face painting is $150 per hour, with a 2-hour minimum ($300 minimum), and I can work events up to 4 hours. My rates are set, and they’re the same for every family, so everyone receives the same care, artistry, and quality. If every face has been painted before your time is up, I may wrap up a little early. A great deal of work happens behind the scenes, and the minimum covers prep, travel, setup, and cleanup, as well as the painting itself.
For locations more than about a 25-minute drive away, your quote will include my hourly rate for the drive time. If more guests join than the number in your quote, additional faces are $5 each.
How many faces I paint
I can comfortably paint 10 to 12 faces per hour, but that can vary with the complexity of the design and the “wiggliness” of the child. For high-volume events, I work from a curated design board, so lines keep moving and every guest leaves happy. Little ones, ages 2 to 3, naturally wiggle and need more time per face, so I may suggest simpler designs or a little more time.
What I bring
All I need is a nice, covered, weather-protected spot, and I bring the rest! I have a table, paints, chairs, and, of course, my awesome paint kit.
Covered workspace and weather
I need a covered, comfortable workspace with room for my table and two chairs. By covered, I mean a cover overhead that protects my professional paints and table from sun, rain, pollen, falling leaves, bird droppings, and anything else the sky might send our way.
If your event is outside, please have a rain or inclement weather plan in advance. I require a workspace sheltered from all weather conditions. If you need a tent to protect the station from direct sun, I can provide a 10×10 tent for $150. Please note: if there is thunder or lightning and no indoor backup plan, I will pause all face painting until it is safe to resume (should time allow within your contracted terms).
Your host and little ones
Please have a host contact who can welcome me, show me where to set up, and be my go-to person during the event, and allow a few minutes for me to set up before guests arrive, so the first face is ready right on time.
Children are naturally curious about my kit, so I kindly ask parents to keep their little ones close, making sure no one hangs on the kit, touches the paints, or knocks over my water cup. It keeps my station safe and the magic flowing for every guest. Children should be supervised by adults other than myself, since I can’t paint while managing unruly behavior.
Parking
I require a parking space close to the event, as my kit is very heavy. If a close parking space isn’t provided, any time needed to carry my equipment to the event will be deducted from your billable time. Any parking fees are paid by the client.
Deposit, cancellations, and changes
A non-refundable 50% deposit holds your date and time. Once your date is booked with a 50% deposit, it’s held exclusively for you, and I may turn away other families who hoped to have it. I kindly ask that you value your face painter the way you would your caterer. By the time an event is cancelled, the work has already begun: my brushes and kit have been cleaned, my design menu has been arranged, my car has been packed, and I’ve been planning and prepping for your celebration. I’ve often arranged, and paid for, babysitters of my own, and I may have declined another booking for your date.
For these reasons, deposits are non-refundable, and I’m unable to refund deposits or change event times within seven days of your event, including in the case of illness. Thank you so much for understanding.
Payment
Full payment is expected before or upon my arrival at your event. I accept cash or the payment method confirmed in your quote. I’m always touched when families think of me, but I’m not able to accept coupons, gift cards, vouchers, or trade in place of payment.
Weather, illness, and the unexpected
Goldilocks Facepaints is not responsible for weather, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances that may affect your event, such as inclement weather at an outdoor event. The client assumes these risks and is encouraged to have an indoor backup plan.
Safe, professional paints
I only use trusted, non-toxic, FDA-compliant, water-based paints, including Superstar, Fusion, Wolfe, and TAG. You won’t find them in a craft store, and each brand lists its ingredients on its website. I never use acrylic or craft paint on skin. Although acrylic paint is labeled “non-toxic,” it isn’t made for skin and can cause chemical burns, so I won’t work at an event where another painter is using it.
Although extremely rare, skin sensitivities can occur with face painting. You may “jump the line” and request a small skin swatch before being painted.
Your artist
I paint your event myself, so the artist whose work you see in the gallery is the artist at your party. In the rare case that I can’t be there (it has happened only twice), I may suggest a substitute, because life happens. I only recommend a proven painter I have worked with before and explicitly trust to do my work, someone with my personal stamp of approval: background checked, family oriented, and sharing my values.
