Spider-Man and Darth Maul Red

Hi,
I'm just curious about which paint most folks would use for Spider-Man or Darth Maul? I like the Mehron StarBlend cakes, but their red in particular rubs right off onto fingers if you happen to brush against it or touch it even slightly. This doesn't seem to happen as readily with other colors, just red. The same seems to be true with Kryolan AquaColor red; barely touch it, and you'll get it on your fingers then transfer it onto everything else.

So, what are your thoughts? I know on another thread the consensus seems to be against spraying kids with setting spray, whether it be Nye Final Seal, Mehron Setting Spray or what have you. Which red do you use for Spidey and how do you keep it from rubbing off onto most anything that might happen to touch it? (Mix it with Mehron Mixing Liquid instead of water, perhaps?)

I mix Snaz red with TAG metallic red. The sheen makes it easier to get an opaque coverage, the color is right, and Snaz dries very matte which takes the metallic down a notch.

Thanks, Julie! How does that combo hold up, as far as rubbing off?

Any of the water activated make-up will come off. That's just how it is. Some have better staying power, but if you touch them they do transfer.

I've done a combo of theatrical cream (oil based) well powdered, then painted with the water activated on top. They set into the powder and hold very well.

Yes, for face painting, it has some staying power, but if they're smearing their hands over their face, forget it. The more matte something is, the less it seems to move or transfter. I wear face paint all day at festivals (see avatar) and it doesn't move, but I also don't touch it.

If I really need the waterbased stuff to stick around, I'll do a layer of airbrushed final seal (or liquiset), facepaint, and another layer of final seal. It's minty as opposed to stingy, so I can use it on kids - that's what we used on the set of Grimm where actual face paint had to last between shoots.

Other options include Kryolan's Fixier spray (before and after paint). It works very well, but it stings, so I wouldn't use it on kids.

Starblends don't budge once they've attached to the face. You could use a Kabuki to get off the excess. When I did my Darth Maul I used orange SB's on the bony areas to lift the red and give it more dimension. (Wolfe black for the line work.)

Here's Starblend holding up to water and blot test. I think the transfer rep for Starblends is because of the excess left on the design. Unless the skin is really dry, it should stick to the oils on the face. If the skin is really dry I use A DROP of glycerin rubbed in my hands and patted on the whole face and then apply.

https://youtu.be/mboancj2SYE

Here's a sweat/blot test:

https://youtu.be/djWB_YLSY-g

Your Darth Maul is fantastic, Dense!

Thank you both for the input. I used Fixier spray for years and years with character and effects makeups, then switched to Final Seal. Then, over the past few years so many actors have told me that they actually like Graftobian Setting Spray better than the Final Seal. Go figure. I never used any sealer with cakes because you don't generally need it. But I think your suggestion about painting over powdered crème makes sense, Denise. I love your tests, too, by the way.

I've pretty well decided to go with StarBlends with MagiCake on top for the hot, humid Minnesota summer coming up, and not spray the kids' faces with any type of sealer. The bottom line is exactly what you said though, Julie; if you go grabbing at it, its going to smear and / or come off, regardless of what it is!

Ahem... I suggested the painting over powdered creams. Denise suggested painting over Starblend pressed powders

Unless there are special circumstances, I do not use fixer spray or sealant on children's faces.
Both Shannon Fennell and Denise Cold or correct in their advice. Try both and see what works for you.
I love StarBlend red for twitchy, sweaty boys who request Spidey-Guy or Darth Maul. When the child sweats, the red becomes a deeper, richer red. StarBlends do not run with sweat as easy as face paint.

Happy Painting!

I still use Starblends. Boys are just so squirmy so I prefer starblends for a lot of my boyish design.

Shannon Fennell wrote:Ahem... I suggested the painting over powdered creams. Denise suggested painting over Starblend pressed powders

My fault! Yes, you did suggest that, Shannon. Sorry, I got a bit addled!

No slighting Darth Shannon!

I use wolfe, dries quick, great coverage.

I use snazaroo.

Paradise Beach Berry Red is great! Deep true red color, it is soft like snazaroo but better coverage and lasts better, IMO!

Oh, and it even smells good! Like coconut....

Here is a design I used the Paradise beach berry for...

I just got some of this.. haven't used it yet. great spidey by the way!!!

Your gonna love it Monna! It is my "go to" red for everything now!

I use paradise beach berry as well, its great red, i also just got some red starblends for when the heat comes