Paint Quality: We considered face painting providers who prioritize non-toxic paints. Plus points for those that can easily be removed using soap and water.
Creativity: We assessed the artists’ creativity to ensure that the designs vary on the event day. We also checked if they can accommodate custom or on-the-spot requests from kids.
Hygiene: We checked if the artists clean the brushes or paint sponges between uses.
Preparedness: We have partnered with face painting professionals who bring their own setup, including tables and chairs, so you don’t need to worry about logistics.
Back in the day (or should we say: back when we were kids?) parties meant meeting clowns and watching them pull off their own magic tricks. Now, events have evolved to having inflated playgrounds and face painting services for kids (and kids at heart).
The good thing is, Vancouver’s face painting artists are ready to make your parties extra colorful (literally!).
So if you’re currently planning a party, you may consider having face painting services too. Here’s a list of the best ones that are worth checking out.
How much does a face painting service cost in Vancouver?
In Vancouver, a face painting service costs $125 for the first hour. Depending on the artists, additional hours may be billed at $75 to $100 each, with prices varying based on experience, material, and the size of your event.
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Consumer Rating: A
Google review
5/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Paint quality
4.5/5
Good pigmentation
4.5/5
Skin compatibility
4.5/5
Creativity
4.5/5
Custom designs
4.5/5
Great blending skill
4.5/5
Hygiene
4.9/5
Preparedness
4.9/5
Living Magic Entertainment is one of the most low-maintenance suppliers we’ve ever met. They didn’t even request a special setup, as they’re always ready with their own suppliers.
You don’t even need to worry about having cleaning supplies on standby, or even think about the queuing system during the actual face painting activity. These guys will handle it smoothly, which we appreciate.
During ingress, they were even an hour ahead of their call time, which really says a lot about their work integrity.
We loved that the artist, Sara, worked fast during the face painting session. We were honestly surprised at how many people she managed to paint during the two-hour window that we gave her.
And even with that speed, you can trust her to not sacrifice quality. We love how the guests kept raving about how polished and colorful their faces are.
Another thing that we love is her design creativity. In fact, you won’t see the same thing over and over, as each kid got something unique.
Aside from animals and insects, she also incorporates abstract patterns, which pulled some of the adults to queue as well.
One limitation is that she doesn’t do glitter-heavy designs.
Pros
Great interaction with kids
Arrives on time
Impressive creativity
Quick turnaround without sacrificing quality
Cons
No glitter-heavy designs
Low-maintenance team
“I hired Living Magic Entertainment to offer face painting and balloon art at a grand opening celebration and they were an absolute pleasure to work with–highly professional and very low maintenance. They added to the event, making many young guests very happy and kept going until the last face had been painted. I recommend them and plan to use their services again for future events.”
“Eva did the most amazing face paint and balloon art for our 4 year old’s birthday party! She was great with all the kids and made sure every child was included! She made the celebration extra special and all the parents were asking about her services. I will definitely hire living magic again. Thank you so much Eva!”
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Consumer Rating: A
Google review
5/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Paint quality
4.5/5
Good pigmentation
4.5/5
Skin compatibility
4.5/5
Creativity
4.9/5
Custom designs
4.9/5
Great blending skill
4.9/5
Hygiene
4.9/5
Preparedness
4.9/5
We know how planning parties could be stressful, and it’s a breath of fresh air that planning with Emily from Fang Artistry was effortless right off the bat. It was actually a relief that we didn’t have frequent back-and-forths with this team.
Emily only had to ask for the theme and the kids’ favorite colors so she could prepare them. And since she’s pretty self-sufficient, we didn’t even have to worry about her face painting setup on the day of the event.
Aside from face painting, Fang Artistry also brings balloon creations along. The kids were getting unique balloon shapes, which added to the interactive party we had planned.
Another thing that we love about Emily is that she’s patient with the kids. She even made time to ensure that every kid got the colors, cartoon character, or pattern they had requested.
We also appreciate the positive feedback we received from our adult guests. Even five days after the event, we were still getting messages about how happy the kids were when they got home.
She’s also a great option for last-minute bookings, as she will happily accommodate your requests on short notice.
Pros
Can accommodate last-minute party requests
Proactive and self-sufficient
Listens to the kids’ requests
Cons
May require a longer face painting duration
Weekend schedules book up quickly
Great coordination during planning
“Emily was amazing! Great communications when planning, she was wonderful and super accommodating with the kids’ face painting requests and most of all her artwork was fabulous! We had kids aged 7-11 at the party and everyone loved her & her work! We would love to have her back anytime!”
“We had such a wonderful experience with Emily! She was on time, reliable, and truly amazing at what she does. Her balloon creations were so impressive. The kids absolutely love the balloons! She kept everyone smiling and made the party extra special. Gonna book her again for my another kiddo next year !”
One of the go-to face painting suppliers for big parties is Bela Beauty Co. We first encountered Bela during a work event, and we love that this supplier has an efficient staff to accommodate hundreds of kids within their limited timeframe.
We also noticed how this team is great with kids. Some of the kids could become uncomfortable around strangers, but we were surprised that they managed to put them at ease during the face-painting session.
We also loved that these face painting pros aren’t all about speed; instead, they focused on matching the design with the kids’ different personalities. Before painting, they will even take their time chatting with the kids to hear their requests.
It’s also great that the types of paint they used are safe for those with sensitive skin. And oh, the team is also expert in body painting, so if you really want to keep your face clean, then just opt for an arm or hand painting.
However, if your kid is less than three years old, don’t attempt to line up. Bela Beauty Co. doesn’t normally give a heads-up, so you’ll end up wasting your time if you don’t verify it before lining up.
Pros
Offers body painting
Matches the design with each child’s personality
Ideal for large parties or corporate events
Cons
No face painting for kids under three
Premium rates
High attention to detail
“My kids have gotten their faces painted from Bela a few times and they always love it. They receive lots of compliments and I can see why! Bela’s artistic skills and attention to detail is above and beyond. Thank you for adding that extra colour and sparkle to their day!”
“I’m so impressed on how the face painting of the kids looks so alive and fantastic. Thank you Bela for your professional artistic touch which made the face painting moment during my daughter’s birthday so magical. I would definitely have her back on our next event and would highly recommend Bela Beauty. Bela is so friendly and has the charm that both kids and adult would enjoy. It was an overall brilliant experience. All the best Bela.”
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Consumer Rating: A
Google review
5/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Paint quality
5/5
Good pigmentation
5/5
Skin compatibility
5/5
Creativity
4.9/5
Custom designs
4.9/5
Great blending skill
4.9/5
Hygiene
4.9/5
Preparedness
4.9/5
What’s great about Michelle’s Cheeky Face Painting is that they ensure their booth looks lively and festive. Compared to its counterparts, you can expect these guys to set up a colorful corner, immediately inviting the kids to line up.
While they listened to the kids’ requests, we appreciated that they also offered them tips, including the colors that would best match the kids’ outfits.
We also observed that the entire team was really patient with the kids. Some of them would even come closer to watch, but they surprisingly handled the chaos pretty well.
They are also ready with props and even glitter pens. They avoid using them near the eyes, just to be safer.
What we love most about the paints they use is that they don’t smudge even if you’re sweaty, but they still come off easily if you wash them with soap and water. So yes, don’t worry about scrubbing your face over and over just to remove the paint.
However, they are mostly focused on kids’ designs.
Still, during preparation, the team keeps in touch. They will even send you updates about the list of designs she wishes to create, seeking your approval.
Pros
Keeps clients in the loop
High-quality paints
Vibrant paint colors
Cons
Limited detailed patterns
Mostly focused on kids’ designs
Artists are very friendly
“It’s always a pleasure working with Michelle! Our PAC has hired Michelle for a number of years for our annual summer fundraiser and her booth is what all the kids look forward to! The artists are friendly and so great with the kids not to mention insanely talented! And bonus that the paint comes off very easily without having to scrub and scrub. Highly recommend Michelle and her artists!”
“I highly recommend Michelle (& Sofia!) They were so wonderful at our company event for families. Sofia is incredibly talented, she did various styles, and I must emphasize how efficient she was as well, the kids did not have to wait long, she did each kid in around 5-7 mins. They brought balloons and even beautiful jewels to add to the face paint.”
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Consumer Rating: A
Google review
5/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Paint quality
5/5
Good pigmentation
5/5
Skin compatibility
5/5
Creativity
4.9/5
Custom designs
4.9/5
Great blending skill
4.9/5
Hygiene
5/5
Preparedness
5/5
It’s safe to say that Marie-Helene of Marie-Helene Babin Face Painting & Body Art is a perfectionist, and that’s why we love her. Unlike other face painting providers, she really treats her face painting design like a mini masterpiece.
So even if you look very closely, you can see that even the tiniest details were meticulously drawn.
She’s also not limited to face painting, as she offers body art services as well. This makes them a great option for parties with older kids and teenagers. We love that even the adults can participate, requesting small hand or arm designs.
With our experience, we appreciate that Marie-Helene and her team incorporated the birthday theme, aligning the face and body painting designs.
The parents were also happy with this team’s approachable vibe. They were able to keep the kids in line.
We also commend them for bringing enough supplies. In fact, they brought extra, so they were ready for last-minute extensions.
Just note that their services lean towards a premium rate.
Pros
Has enough painting supplies
Offers body art
Aligns the designs with the party theme
Cons
Premium rates
Patient with the little kids
“We had Marie-Helene at our daughter’s birthday and she was pure magic! From rainbow kitties to every wild request, her face painting was stunning and she kept the kids smiling the whole time. Talented, patient, and professional, she turned our party into a work of art. Marie-Hélène was also wonderfully professional: punctual, organized, and easy to work with from start to finish. She made the experience smooth and enjoyable not just for the kids but for us as parents too. Highly recommend!”
“We hired Marie-Helene for my daughter’s birthday party and were so impressed! She was incredibly easy to book with and arrived early to set up, which made everything run smoothly. She did a fantastic job painting all the kids’ faces— wow, Marie-Helene is a very talented artist! Creative (incorporated the birthday theme), patient with little kiddos and put the children at ease. Experiencing Marie-Helene’s art was the highlight of the party. I’ve already recommended her to several friends and wouldn’t hesitate to hire her again. Highly recommend!”
Normally, artists use paraffin wax-based paints. This type of paint dries up quickly, providing better coverage.
This type of paint also comes in several lively colors.
How long is a face paint’s shelf life?
Generally, face paint typically lasts up to eighteen months upon opening the container or packaging. Once you see that the face paint has already dried up, you can expect it to be less effective during application.
What are the disadvantages of applying face paint?
Face paints may cause rashes, breakouts, and skin irritations, especially on people with highly sensitive skin.
Is face paint waterproof?
Some face or body paints are water-resistant, or even sweat-resistant. However, some artists prefer water-based face paints to make removal easier, especially if you’re only using soap and water.
Jamie Ramsay
