Do you paint on lips/mouth?

I know it makes many designs look so much more realistic and complete, but I think I've decided not to paint on lips and mouths for children anymore. Kids are getting paint on their teeth, the design seems to be messed up in a matter of minutes (not just on the lips but around the whole mouth area), and one little girl complained of her tongue feeling numb! (I had used Diamond FX black and white on her - also I have painted her quite a few times and never had any issues.)

I was wondering if anyone else had a "no mouth/lips" policy and how you came to that decision, if it affected your work and the kids level of satisfaction, anything you wanted to share about your experience.

If you do paint on the mouth/lips, I would love to hear your experience and thoughts as well, please.

I was already leaning toward no mouth painting but the numb tongue thing freaked me out - I would hate for anyone to have a scary allergic reaction.

I do, but Im thinking of not doing that either anymore. I really have a problem with saliva, for obvious reasons, but I do appreciate how some designs pop, if you include the lips.

What I do mostly for smaller girls it put lip gloss on with a q-tip and poof a little glitter on 'em. Makes them happy and not so noticeable if it gets a little messy.

Yes, I should clarify I almost always do "lipstick" (Wolfe metallic pink applied w/q-tip) on girls. They do love it!

If I need to SPEED along, I tell them, "Sorry, no lips today."

It is mainly the older kids that want it anyway.

But, I LOVE to do the lips when I can! Love, love, love the look.

Here is another photo from a jam at FABAIC. Not my favorite photo (nor my best work!!), but you can see the lips pretty good.


- Lilly Walters, 909-398-1228
Bling!! Face and Body Painting http://www.funfacepainting.com

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I don't use paint on lips, but if I have time I'll lipgloss the lil girls.

how do you do a tiger without painting around the mouth? the cleft lip is what makes it...

I love painting the lips! It totally changes the look of the design when lips are painted. I always paint lips unless I'm short on time. Most girls choose designs from my menu based on how the lips look.

I use one brush per set of lips, load it once and then set it aside to be washed afterward. They do usually get messed up, but not before the parents take some awesome photos that they will keep forever, post on facebook, and show all their friends.

I think I am the opposite. I have never done lipstick.. except on those few who insist on it.. especially my 3 year old!
I do paint on the top lip for my tigers/cats/animals though.

Angie, how many brushes do you go through like that? Or can I try those eye-shadow applicators (with foamy tips) instead?

When doing a full face, of course the lips are painted... I mean, where else do you paint the dragon's teeth?? Lions, tiger, bears, monsters, spiderkids, transformers, TMNT, sunsets, camo, all require paint on the lips to create the design.

With butterflies... sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Depends on how fast I am working and how long the line is. And how it looks to me... sometimes it NEEDS the lips done too. But I do ask them if they want me to.

I have to clean my brushes between each person anyway so there is no issue regarding contamination.

I almost always paint the lips too. If I am running short on time, have a super long line, or if it is a really small girl then I don't. I keep one container of water that has brush bath in it and immediately clean the brushes in that before I replace them. Then when I get home I sanitize them again with pink soap.

I have never had anyone to complain about their teeth. Although I do tell them it can come off on their teeth a little. I think most people expect that if the lips are painted.

Let me elaborate on my post (for whomever asked about full face designs).

I don't really offer full face to under 6. I do more masks and cheek art (spiderman, batman, flowers, butterflies, rainbows, unicorns, pretty crowns, etc). I do NOT paint lips when doing mask or cheek art (but if the lines aren't bad, I'll offer gloss). For older kids, if its a full face that includes the lips, I'll sponge the lips - but I don't use my brushes).

I paid the lips the Q-tips. Once they touch the lips, I throw them away. But, the thin liner, I normally do in black, is with a brush.

Once I use the liner, I rub in back and forth on a clean antibacterial wipe (meant for the skin).

- Lilly Walters, 909-398-1228
Bling!! Face and Body Painting http://www.funfacepainting.com

Follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=84188074588&ref=ts

Books and Face Painting Classes http://www.funfacepainting.com/book.html

I use cheap brushes... they come in a pack of 12 for about $5, and I think I have about 48 total. On a standard 2 hour party, I might use 12. I don't need a lip brush for boys, cheek art, or some half faces. All of my full face designs for girls have lips painted in the pictures. Of course I ask before painting them, just as I ask before using glitter, but 99.5% want it.

At PPF festivals, painted lips are a huge selling point. I charge top dollar for almost any design that includes lip painting, and it's often the difference between parents paying an extra $5 for a "full face". Never underestimate the power of the lips! LOL.

I didn't do lips but after watching Lily do all those faces at the jams at night during FABAIC. I will never not do them.. WOW what a difference. I know sometimes I won't because of time but will try. Learned so much from Lily. Thank you Lily your are an amazing artist. She does lips with such a flare.

The only paint I've had problems with is the FX neon. I had it on my lips for awhile and got that "numb" feeling.

I like the suggestion of gloss and glitter. Great idea.

Denise

I do lips, Most girlswant the lips.

Off topic:
Lilly, did you paint that pearls on your butterfly? They are so real. Love it. You are amazing.

I paint lips for some designs & when I remember. I use a qtip, for cleanliness reasons. I'll sometimes touch-up, but try to be gone before it's necessary.