FACE PAINT gone gooey? Before you give up and toss it in the bin, read my best tips for fixing mushy face paints, and better still, how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Let’s start with a question from V, who asks:

Q: “Please Help? My face paint has gone gooey. How can I fix this? I suppose I have put too much water in them. I’ve tried to let them dry out by removing the lid but it still super soft and very hard to use, it sticks on the brush. Any advice would be much appreciated.”

A: Thanks for the question, V. You're not the only one, so I thought I'd write this article. Let's begin with the basics:

What is gooey face paint?

Basically, gooey face paint has become difficult to work with because it’s too soft. But more than that: gooey face paint is sticky, with a consistency like toothpaste or tacky putty. Or even a thick soup.

Gooey face paint shouldn’t be confused with soft face paint, which I’ll discuss in a moment… gooey face paint is almost impossible to use. If you want to fix it, I’m afraid you’re going to need some patience and good luck. You'll find my best tips for fixing gooey face paint, and how to prevent it from happening in the first place, below.

But first, let's look at some of the reasons why face paint has 'gone bad'.

Why has my face paint gone gooey?

Face paint definitely shouldn’t be gooey, unless it’s cream based, but that’s not what we’re talking about here.

We're talking about pro-quality, water-activated face paint which comes in a dry cake form. When new and unused, the face paint cake will be solid, and dry to the touch. It activates when it comes into contact with liquid, eg water.

So now we have the basics out of the way, some of the most common causes of gooey face paint are:

• Over-saturation ie you've added too much water to the face paint - the percentage of water will build up over time, making the paint water-logged;
• Overuse - the cake is a favourite and is used frequently, which also results in it becoming waterlogged;
• The face paint paint hasn’t been allowed to dry out properly in-between use;
• The face paint has been exposed to high temperatures (for example, being left in a hot car, in the sun, or other extreme conditions);

If you’ve checked any or all of the boxes above, and your face paint has (gulp) become gooey and unworkable, then don't give up hope. Yet...

Additional Notes (soft face paint?):

But before we discuss ways to fix your gooey paint, I just want to add a note here: if your face paint is soft, but not sticky like toothpaste, then it isn’t actually gooey. It's just soft.

Let me explain: One of the main ingredients of water-activated face paint is wax (usually paraffin), which carries the pigment, or glycerin, or a combination of the two. Wax is hard. Glycerin is soft.

And since the percentage of glycerin in a product will affect its softness, it stands to reason the more glycerin, the softer the face paint.

Therefore a glycerin based face paint, which doesn’t contain any wax, or a low percentage of, will naturally feel soft and sometimes even a little smooshie. But it isn’t gooey.

• Brands including Superstar and Mehron Paradise contain glycerin, no wax. This makes them soft to the touch. They are 'solid', but if you press your finger, or a brush on the surface, the paint will indent easily, without much effort. This softness makes them perfect for covering large areas, sponge work, and blending.
• Alternatively, waxed based products, like TAG Body Art, Party Xplosion, Kryvaline essentials, Global Colours, Cameleon and Face Paints Australia (and others), feel quite firm/solid to the touch. It takes comparatively more pressure to make an indent in the surface of the cake with your finger tip;
• However, pearls and metallics contain a higher proportion of glycerine to wax, which makes them softer than regular colours.

Are you still with me? If you have any questions or comments after you read this article, please leave a comment below.

How to fix gooey face paint?

Can gooey face paint be fixed? It’s worth trying, but if your face paint is too far gone (like the photo below), I’m afraid it may end up in the bin. But try these tips first:

1. First, check your face paint doesn't have a funky, or "off" smell. Or a moldy appearance to the surface. These symptoms are usually an indication that the face paint is growing bacteria and unfortunately at this point, it's time to dispose of the product to avoid making someone sick;
2. Assuming your face paint still smells ok, then remove the lid and allow to dry out for as long as you can before using again. Leave it in a box with a lid (a lunchbox or shoebox works well). Add some water absorbing crystals to the box (eg. kitty litter, clean of course), or you can reuse those satchels that come with food, new shoes and handbags etc (to help absorb moisture). Don't put them directly on the face paint (duh), but in the same box;
3. Check in 1-2 weeks and see if your paint has dried out. If not, leave it longer.
4. If the consistency of your paint hasn't improved in a month, then it's time to say bye-bye and let it go…

How can I prevent my face paint becoming gooey or mushy in the future?

That’s a great question, and it goes hand-in-hand with best practice in how to use face paints correctly.

Here are my 10 top tips for taking care of your face paints to ensure they last the distance. For people who work in hot climates (like me), there are extra precautions to take:

• Let’s start with storage. I store my face paints without their individual lids. You’ll still need a cover to protect your paints from dust and other contaminants ~ a palette such as this one not only keeps your paints neat and tidy but allows them to breathe in-between gigs. You could also try adding a layer of paper or cardboard over the paints, under the palette lid. This will absorb excess moisture and can be changed regularly;
• Manufacturer's recommend storing your face paints in a cool, dry situation;
• Avoid exposing your face paints to excessive heat, for example in a hot car, or in the hot sun;
• If you work in a hot climate, consider using a higher-percentage wax-based brand, eg TAG, Global, Party Xplosion etc, instead of a higher-percentage glycerin-based brand (eg Mehron or Superstar)
• If you are working outside on a hot day, try placing your face paint palette on top of some frozen ice-blocks (the type you put in a lunchbox or cooler/esky) - this will help maintain a more even temperature and effectively prevent your face paints from 'melting' in the heat;
• Try to minimize the amount of water you add to the face paint itself. I recommend not wetting the paint directly. The occasional spritz is ok. You need enough water to make the paint into a creamy consistency, but not so much water that the paint is still wet half an hour later;
• When using a sponge, I recommend using a water spritzer to spray the sponge only a couple/few times (damp, not wet), then pick up the paint;
• When using a brush, dip it in clean water, then activate the surface of the paint. It really only takes a few drops and you can always add more as needed;
• If you find your paint is too wet during your face paint session, use a paper towel to soak up any excess from the surface.
• If you use a particular colour frequently, consider decanting some into a second container (don’t forget to label it clearly with the brand, colour, batch number and date). Then rotate your pots so they don’t get overused; You can also buy a second cake for the same reason (this would especially apply to rainbow cakes);
• And don't worry if the surface of your paint dries out so much that it cracks (the opposite of gooey). Since face paints are water-activated, drying out isn’t a problem. When you add water, they will come back to life.

Conclusion:

Gooey face paint can be a real problem for face painters. Especially in hot climates, but also in cooler ones. The good news is, you can (and should) take steps to prevent your face paint from going ‘bad’. Yes, it’s a little effort, but since your face paints are a valuable investment, then I think it’s worth going the extra mile, don't you?

I'd love to know what you think about my suggestions for fixing gooey face paint. Have you experienced gooey face paint? Were you able to fix it? What worked for you? Or what didn't work...?

Please comment below!

Know someone who might find this article interesting? Please feel welcome to share.

**********************************************************

CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM OUR BLOG

This article was written by Kate Matthews, a professional face painter since 2011 and face paint retailer since 2013. The information provided is a result of her own experience and industry knowledge.

Disclaimer

While we make every effort to ensure that material on this site is accurate and up to date, such material does in no way constitute the provision of professional advice. Face Paint Shop Australia does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this website or any linked site. Users should seek appropriate independent professional advice prior to relying on, or entering into any commitment based on material published here; which material is purely published for reference purposes alone.