Dirty fingers

I don't know if this is because I'm a newbie or what, but have serious issues with my fingers getting dirty when I sponge paint on. I don't know if my I'm holding my sponge incorrectly (I'm a lefty and have to hold close to base for better control ). Any tips for keeping my hands clean during an event, there is nothing great about dirty fingerprints all over someones finished face!

I take a black dish towel and tuck it in my belt loop and when it gets bad I just stop and use wipes.

I usually bring either wipes or a damp towel too. My hands get really messy no matter what I'm doing!

Me too! I use my black towel/placemat thingy and do a quick wipe with the unscented moist wipe..... the paint does stick around the cuticle and gets under the nails when I "really get into my work". I try to remember to really moisturize my hands before a gig as that really helps in the removal process.

I use wet wipes and a towel too! No getting around messy fingers for me.

Thanks for asking this one, CabbyJ... thought it was just me fretting about this... and thanks for the input from the more experienced forum members. I feel much better!

Masters makes a really great hand soap

Lots of hand cream before and Avon makes a product called silicone glove that I put on before a gig and after each hand washing to help block out the stains.

Are you wetting the whole sponge? A great Wolfe Tip....you should only wet the very tip of the sponge and keep the rest dry..this should alleviate that problem for you...and its also very handy to have a dry end to blend with...

Dry sponges... and stiffer/firmer sponges. I work with clean hands using my tack sponges (and the green FWW sponges are good too.) The paint doesn't seep through them much at all.

I wet my paints, not my sponges.

I hate getting my hands dirty.

I use lots of hand cream, esp around the cuticles, then claw wet bar of soap with my nails to get the soap under them before a gig. Then when I get home all washes off easily with no stains.

I have wipes handy because when I paint, I reach for my brush in the ice tube holder, and other brushes full of paint decorate my hands frequently.

Bob Ross has a "Painter's Glove" hand cream, available at art stores, that seriously blocks the paint from skin. Pricey but MOST effective!

Hope this helps,
Susan

As Shannon said - my hands were much cleaner after I changed to FWW sponges which I prefer anyway. And yes keep a hand towel/ face cloth handy to wipe on - I try not to use baby wipes due to the waste factor (and parenst borrowing 100s of them AND reaction issues if faces are cleaned with them)...

cat x

So I'm the only doofus wearing gloves ?

Don't know... I carry gloves, but haven't worn them yet because not one has asked me to.

hahah boys & girls try hair color that bleeds through gloves..... not on faces (that was a joke btw Shan hahaha :p) lol Ohh I feel the great wipie debate cumming on. I dont use a towl at all. Dont like caring the same towel to the next person even if it didnt touch there face. Just one of my fob quirk and I tend to use the face wipes to have the moms clean there own kids faces too. But for me it dosnt seem to mater, I get into my work and good sponges or not I usually go home with more paint and glitter on me than the kids. I do use gloves for timp tats though. But ya good sponges and wipes for me

TBH I wouldn't wear gloves unless i HAD to for some reason - it can't look too good if you are handling stuff meant to go on their kids faces but won't let it touch your own skin - might give the wrong impression?

Cat x

Oh no! there's a great wipe debate too? Too funny. I tend to use the wipes on me more than the kids.

Thanx Cat. Never thought of that before. The nurse in me rearing its ugly head.

The Avon Silicone Glove works really well. I can't stand for my fingers to get dirty (just one of my MANY hangups...I'm an awesome psychological specimen). I know that some feel it's just part of the job...and maybe enjoy it...but I just can't stand it...again...you all have known about my issues for months now..

its ok your not a pig pin lol its all good. I would much rather have clean fingers but... I yam what I yam