Q: How far out should I book your services?

A: To ensure we are available for your preferred date and time, we recommend at LEAST 4-6 weeks lead-time.  Weekends can often be booked months in advance during the busy Festival season between May and October.

 

Q: What is the process to book your services?

A: We will discuss your party and the details including the:

• Date and timeframe (to confirm availability)
• Contact info (Name, phone#, email)
• Location/address of party location (to determine distance if if travel fees apply for mileage, tolls, parking fees)
• How many kids/adults are expected to be painted (this will determine the duration of time needed),
• Event theme and age of birthday kiddo(s)
• If I will be positioned indoors/outdoors and will cover/shade be provided? (to determine if a tent fee applies)
• After gathering all the information, I will draw up a contract agreement that I will email to you to review for accuracy and to secure a signature for approval. 
• At that time when you return the signed contract, a $50 non-refundable* retainer fee is collected. 
• I accept Venmo, Zelle, CashApp.  I can also accept credit cards using the secure Square platform, but then the deposit is $52 to cover transaction fees.
• Final Payment is due the day of the event and can be made with Cash, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp with no fees,  Final Payments using a credit card or Apple Pay are subject to a 3% surcharge. *Retainer Fee is only refundable if a positive Covid test is shared within 7 days of the event.

 

Q: Do I have to pay a $50 Retainer Fee?

A: Yes, the retainer fee confirms your commitment and locks in your date and time and ensures your artist will be there for your party.  Even if we've discussed the details and I've sent you over a contract, the date is not booked until a Retainer Fee is collected.

 

Q: What if I book the artist for 2 hours and she successfully face painted all the kids that attended and she's only painted for 1.5 hours?  OR what if more kids showed than expected, can she face paint longer?

A: The face painter will be happy to pro-rate to the nearest full 30 minutes the day of the event... OR, she'll be happy to complete the time by offering to face paint the adults at the party - starting with the birthday kid's parents!!  Grown ups love face paint too and love joining their kids in on the fun!  I paint from 3-103!  I've painted a birthday boy Spider-Man, and then the grandpa was Venom!

As for if she can face paint longer, that will need to be an audible the day of the event as she may have another party booked shortly after.  If she does need to run longer due to siblings showing up OR adults who what to have fun, and she's available, additional time can be added at the end and pro-rated to the nearest 30 minutes.

 

Q: Is it customary to tip the artist?

A: While tips are not expected, they are certainly very much appreciated, especially if the family loved the fun faces and the Syn-Sational Smiles on their guests.  We appreciate the gratitude.

 

Q: Is the Face Painter Licensed?

A: Yes, the Face Painter has a Resale License issued by the state of California and a separate business license for operating out of Livermore, CA.  Documents provided upon request.

 

Q: Is the Face Painter Insured?

A: Yes, by the company "Beauty and Body Works Insurance."  Documents provided upon request.

 

Q: If the artist is outside, do they have to have cover or shade provided?

A: Yes!  Not only is it hard to paint "squinty" eyes due to the sun, but direct sunlight will negatively impact my glitter creams and face paints by melting them and making them hot and gloopy.  Hot paints or glitters can be painful on the skin so shade is mandatory.

 

Q: Is face paint waterproof?

A: Unfortunately, the gentle formulas I use are not water-resistant or waterproof.   They will smear if the customer wearing it sweats, gets wet and rubs it.

 

Q: How do I remove the face paint?

A: Face Paint is best remove by first adding a gentle soap to lather up on the face paint (BEFORE adding water), then adding water and rinsing.  Make up remover wipes or eye makeup remover works really well too, especially around sensitive eye areas.  NOTE: Sometimes teal blues and reds are a bit more stubborn, but a wee bit more soap and lathering should do the trick.

 

Q: Are Glitter or Matte Tattoos waterproof?

A: YES!!  Glitter and Matte Tattoos are waterproof, sweatproof, smudge proof and they can last up to 3-10 days!  The Matte Tattoos, since they are done with a colored ink (vs. a skin glue + glitter) will actually last longer than the glitter tattoos.  Because they are waterproof, they are great for rainy days, pool parties or places where water activities are enjoyed.

 

Q: How do I remove glitter tattoos or matte tattoos?

A: Since these are waterproof, using an oil or alcohol based product work best.  Massaging in Baby Oil, Cooking Oil, Canola Oil, or Coconut Oil with a textured cloth followed by hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes should work.  For resistant areas, friction works well, so try a textured wash cloth or towel, and massage gently but firmly.

 

Q: What is the minimum age for face paint?

A: For face paint, the recommended minimum age is 3 years old.  Children are still developing their skin sensitivities and allergies.  And while all the face paint we use is FDA approved, glycerin, water or paraffin wax based and safe for the skin, there may a rare instance that a child is still hypersensitive.  For those under 3 years old or those with known skin sensitivities, may we recommend a fun arm design, like a rainbow or a spider.

 

Q: How long will it take the artist to set up and take down?

A: If the artist is inside OR the customer has already provided shade outdoors, the artist will typically arrive around 45 minutes prior to the expected face paint start time to confirm location and to bring all of her equipment and kit in.  If the artist is bringing their own tent, they will arrive 1 hour prior to ensure the tent is set up and properly weighted down and to allow time for set up.  For breakdown, it's about 30-45 minutes without a tent, and 45-60 minutes with a tent. 

 

Q: Where does the artist source their face paint and glitter tattoo supplies?

A: We ONLY source our face paints and glitter tattoo supplies from reputable websites specializing in FDA approved face paints, like The Art Factory, Silly Farm, the Face Paint Forum or Jest Paint.  Brushes, stencils and glitters are also sourced from those websites.

 

Q: How long has Synthia, the face painter, been face painting?

A: Synthia started face painting in October of 2011, when their Kindergartener's PTA was looking for volunteers to face paint at their Halloween Festival.  While Synthia had always loved doing art... from watercolors and acrylics to pencils and sketching, she had never painted on faces before.  The school provided the face paints and a few brushes and Synthia LOVED the reactions she got from the kids.  It wasn't long until Synthia gradually started investing in paints, brushes, stencils and more to take it from a hobby to a wonderful part time gig.  That same Kindergartner is in College now and has joined along side Synthia to also do Glitter and Matte Tattoos and the Glitter Glam Bling Bar at parties and festivals.  

 

Q: Do you charge a travel fee or any other transportation fees?

A: Yes, there is a travel fee if you live outside the 20 mile radius of Livermore (specifically starting near Granada High School).  If you are further than 20 miles, then I charge $0.70/mile round trip which is the same amount the IRS uses.  If you live in Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton or San Ramon area, there is no fee.  Additionally, if I need to cross any bridges or I need to pay for public parking, the customer is also asked to pay those as well.  Any transportation fees will be discussed and a quote given during the contract agreement process so there are no surprises.

 

Q: What does the face painter bring with her/provide?
A: The Face Painter brings their face paint kit (and Glitter Tattoo kit, if booked as well), tables and 2 chairs, high quality glycerin, paraffin wax or water-based face paints, brushes, stencils, sponges, glitters, bottled water, design ideas to choose from and lots of fun and enthusiasm!  I essentially show up with everything I need, just point me in the direction of where you want me!!  If appropriate, I offer a sign up sheet to help manage the queue while kids play to reduce their "wait time."