Halloween face paints rarely include a ingredient list, but when they do – they’re often loaded with tons of scary petrochemicals, preservatives, heavy metals, synthetic dyes + other potentially harmful ingredients. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported that 10 out of 10 face paints they tested contained lead (a powerful neurotoxin), while others even contained nickel, cobalt + chromium. So, to avoid all that, here’s an easy-peasy DIY – made with totally safe, natural + organic products you probably already have on hand!
You’ll Need
- A Safe Sunscreen, Beauty Balm or Diaper Balm
- Loose powder mineral makeup, eye shadows or pigments
- Makeup Brushes
- Large Dish
Tips
- For Sunscreens, try Badger , True Natural or Raw Elements. The thicker + whiter, the better in this case! This is a fab way to re-purpose leftover sunscreen from summer.
- For Balms, try Earth Mama Angel Baby, Zoe Organic Diaper Balm, Egyptian Magic, or Waxelene.
- For Mineral Makeup, try Alima Pure. They have a wide selection of super-rich, highly pigmented colors, that also have various finishes – like satin matte, pearl + shimmer.
How-to
- Using the dish like a painter’s palette, add a very small amount of sunscreen or balm. You’ll want a consistency that’s as dry as possible – so it doesn’t rub off. You can always add more later, to adjust the consistency.
- Next, carefully add a small amount of mineral makeup + mix well, until you see a smooth + consistent color throughout.
- Continue adding color until you reach the desired shade.
- Repeat with all the colors you’ll need.
- Apply using fingertips or makeup brushes.
Have you tried this? What products did you use + do you have any tips?
3 Comments
Isla
October 17, 2013 at 1:14 pmMy husband was a hobo once for Halloween when he was a kid and for his beard, his dad put Vaseline on his face (where the beard and mustache were to go) then he pat on (dry) coffee grounds on top of the Vaseline for a scruffy beard that looked really cool, and according to my husband lasted all day at school. I think it would work with the balms you listed for a healthier choice then the Vaseline. Happy Halloween!
Isla
October 17, 2013 at 11:24 pmMy husband was a hobo for Halloween one year when he was a kid and his dad made him a beard by smearing petroleum jelly on his face then smushing on dry coffee grounds. It looked like a real scruffy beard and according to my husband, lasted all day. You could probably achieve similar results by using a healthier balm instead of the petroleum jelly. Happy Halloween!
Molly Jo
October 18, 2013 at 1:03 amThanks for this suggestion! I was never able to wear face-paint as a kid–my face would get very angry, and it wouldn’t help my mild eczema. But I love Halloween and costumes! I’ve just gotten creative with regular make-up in the past, but this seems muuuuuch safer. Thanks again!