Ben Nye Makeup sealer...

I just purchased Ben Nye makeup sealer and I've never used a sealer before. It says that it helps with smudging and perspiration and is waterproof. I am hoping it will make my face paintings last longer. I will be charging extra for this if the customer wants it.

Has anyone used this before?

How long does it help a painting last?

Does it work as well as it says it does?

Thanks, Dawn

Update: I tried it out on myself and after it set (seemed to take awhile) it was smudge proof. Not so sure about water proof - tried to put a little water on it after about an hour, but the paint came off- and didn't sweat so I don't know how perspiration proof it is. Takes a bit more time to dry than I like. The second time I used it I let it set for a day, didn't come off after getting out of bed, it seemed to take water, but didn't give it a good try. Definitely a little harder to take off than the first time. Guess it needs to set for awhile. More testing to come.

Thanks Dawn, Im interested. I'll have to look into it myself. Just about everything melts in this florida heat.

If you spray it on your face BEFORE painting and then seal on top it will work better for sweating.

I probably would not use this product on children though.

I agree, it's not really meant for kids.

If you're talking about Ben Nye's 'Final Seal', then yes, it really does prolong water-based paint and helps waterproof paint, especially when sprayed onto bare skin before starting painting.

A few weeks ago I applied Snazaroo paint using mehron mixing liquid in place of water, and finished up spraying over the paint with Final Seal. I found this to be a great combination!
It also washed off quite easily in the shower with just a little light rubbing.
I had previously only applied the paint using water and spraying it with Final Seal at the end (with a light coat of Final Seal before the paint went on).

The paint definitely lasted much longer when used along with the mehron (evidence - my lightsaber didn't have nearly as much blue paint from my hands rubbed off onto it!)

In short, yes, the Spray prolongs the paint, but if you want some extra 'reinforcement', I recommend the mehron with it

I have found the mintiness of the Ben Nye is a bother for others for face painting. (Although I like the quality, and the fresh smell--and people I've applied it to for body painting squeal at the "cold", I guess it's the mint effect.) Mehron has a decent seal. I usually just use an organic, non-perfumed hair spray.The parents are always totally okay with it, and it sets things/adheres glitter just as well.

I like that idea Anniel. I tried a makeup sealer from ELF ($3 bottle). It worked pretty well but haven't found it locally and 120 mile round trip is too far unless I happen to have other reason to be in Little Rock.

Personally I do NOT use sealers. Face paint is by definition a temporary art form and IMO SHOULD BE easy for parents to remove (the reason I do not use Wolfe black on the job.)

It is chemical, can be an irritant, allergen and should not be inhaled or get in the eyes. I would NEVER use it on children.

For a body painting where there will be contact (as in servers, photos ops, etc.) then there is a need for a sealer OR a product that will set to a point where casual contact won't smear it.

Wolfe black comes off EASY Shannon, if they mush straight baby shampoo into it and THEN rinse.

Am with Shannon -I would never ever use sealer on kids. I rarely even use a light fixative on adults (never faces) and that only in hot countries on painted dancers.

If they want permanent, go get a tattoo. You will get far more complaints if it is harder to wash off than if its easy to smudge.

A 2nd worry is several brands of fixer work by stopping sweat; if you block up pores like that you block the emergency cooling system - hello fainting or worse!

I also didn't like Ben Nye, at least the liquids & liquid glitters. I was given those to use for a body booking they sponsored once and it was much harder to get a halfway decent result with... the smell made their eyes water too.

Cat

anniel wrote:Wolfe black comes off EASY Shannon, if they mush straight baby shampoo into it and THEN rinse.

Tried it, DID NOT work. And not everyone has baby shampoo at home anyway, even if it did work.

I have no need to use it as I can do decent line work with other brands.

I prefer to make things simple for my customers and getting it off easily with what they have available is more important than making it easier for me to paint them.

Got a Wolfe mini palette. The black was MUCH more difficult to remove than TAG or DFX. Know others love the Wolfe especially for linework but I personally won't be using the Wolfe for anything but practice on myself.

I bought some Ben Nye Final Seal for Halloween and it worked very well for Halloween parties long into the night and later for dancing in stage make up. It seems to be a good middle ground where it is not completely water/sweat proof but does keep the paint smudge proof and a bit water/sweat resistant. I would be afraid to use something completely waterproof because it would completely block the pores. I would only do that if it was for something that was being supervised like a commercial or photoshoot where someone could keep an eye on the health of the subject. For painting and sending someone to a party or on stage it seems to be perfect. Most people kind of like the minty smell including me and I am sensitive to strong smells. I used it on older children in some cases to seal their stage make up while they danced in a recent performance of Babes in Toyland. I love the stuff!

Update:

I used it on myself to see how it worked.

1. I did spray it on my face for some half face designs I did on myself to see how it worked. Wouldn't do that to someone else. Got it in my eye and it stung. Oops. It didn't keep it totally smudge free on my face unless I missed a spot. It's hard to spray yourself with an eye closed. lol

2. I used it on my arm (after painting) and it did a good job of keeping it smudge free. Not so much water resistant.

I have decided to not use it. It didn't give me the results I was hoping for.

I have never had a problem with wolfe black coming off easily even with just a wet wipe... as I am still pretty new can you tell me what other brands are good for line work?

I like Snazaroo

I Have never ever had any real luck with the Ben Nye sealer. I know some MUAs who like it but for me I prefer other brands.

I prefer the Mehron and Kryolan brands, however most all the sealers/fixers are loaded with alcohol and therefore really not best for facial application. Kryolan does make a fixing spray just for the face.

As noted when talking kids and most general face art face painting is a one day fun wear, if you need it durable use more durable long wearing brands of makeup. I and my artists paint most often outside in a very, very hot climate. I have some other tricks I employ to reduce sweat from ruining the face art.

I am curious why you would charge more for setting the makeup.

As for linework I can not state enough all brands will produce good strokes. Yes there are differences, but many master the brands they choose. It is all about mastering the learning curve.

I was charging $2 for cheek art so I figured if it was going to last longer than 1 day (I did have people asking if I had something that would keep the face paint from wearing off) I'd charge a little extra for the cost. Now I have airbrush tattoos that last 3-7 days so I really don't need it anyway.

Yeah - even with a sealer no classic face art is gonna last more than a day. All a sealer/fixer does is make the makeup a bit water resistant and smudge proof. Any face that meets a pillow at night may awake w/o face paint - at least in tact paint.

You will find this true too with airbrush tattoos - there is no for sure that tattoo will stay on everyone 3-7 days. I can assure you these too are dependent on climate, skin type and placement. Just like face painting. I can pretty much gage from these factors how long that tat will last.

As a service business I have never understood charging extra for things like fixing spray, glitter or as some do in airbrush more than one color. Sorta like saying I can give you an orange and black tiger but if you want yellow in there it's 50 cents more. I understand prices based on more elaborate designs or size - but not based on what I choose to use. Would one charge less because they use X brand that cost $X and more if they dip into a pot that cost them $XX. Does one reduce a price because they got products on sale?

eireannah wrote:I have never had a problem with wolfe black coming off easily even with just a wet wipe... as I am still pretty new can you tell me what other brands are good for line work?

DFX is also good for line work, but everyone has their preference.