Need help with applying glitter to wet paint

Help! I don't especially like using poofers for glitters on young children, as I frequently have moms express concern that the glitter will get in their child's eyes and also, it just goes everywhere. BUT...I am having trouble determining the best time to apply with my finger. Either I wait too long and it doesn't stick well or (more often) I apply when I think it's just wet enough and I get the paint on my fingers and usually end up smearing it somewhere that I don't want. I watch YouTube videos and I think I am applying the glitter around the same time frame as on the tutorials, but I I still either smear the tear drops, etc...that I'm applying to and/or get the paint on my hands and I smear it somewhere else. Also, is the glitter that is sold for tats the same glitter used for faces or a non-cosmetic grade?
Thanks!

The glitter sold by reputable distributors should be cosmetic grade. You can use the same stuff for tattoos and for face painting. My best advice for you is to not make contact with the paint. Try applying the glitter by using a dedicated brush and wave it lightly an inch or so away from the face. I always explain to the child what I will be doing and talk as I do it. When I tell them to close their eyes like they are sleeping, it seems to help them keep their eyes shut. Sometimes I tell them to snore too, it seems to distract even the most fidgety ones. LoL They love it when I snore with them. It's bound to get everywhere so try to use it sparingly.

What shape brush do you use for applying glitter this way?
Thanks!

I used the small sponge smoothies at the fair and they worked great. I could press the glitter into the paint like a finger, but it wasn't my finger (which was hard to keep clean when I was sponging like crazy.) I used a little round container...just make sure you replace the lid EVERYTIME...you don't want to lose all that glitter.

The paint was drying fast because it was warm and so every once in awhile I would lightly spray (once) the smoothie to reactivate the paint slightly so the glitter would stick. Don't over do it or you will ruin your design and make a mess of your smoothie. You only want enough moisture to help the glitter stick.

Shannon mentioned tapping the brush to apply the glitter and I tried it and it works great. I still use the smoothie but you just put the applicator over your flower or star and tap with your finger and the glitter flies right on the spot.

You are right, poofers can hurt a bit...feels like being in a wind storm.

Denise

Great idea, too, Colden...I'm going to try these today! One question...when you lightly spray the smoothie to reactivate, do you spray it with the glitter on the smoothie or before you dip into the glitter? This forum has been such a blessing to me!

I just apply it with the handle of the brush : the stick part", if you look at some of th videos on youtube from Disneyworld thats how they do it. It works good for me. Dip the handle and just roll it on.

I have a pretty fine mist spray bottle and I hold it about a foot away and spray the smoothie and then dip it in the glitter. Like I said, if you make it too wet you'll have a splotch on the paint but if you just spray it once it will just be enough to pick up the glitter and apply it.

D.

marcela Murad has a beautiful line of glitters that are metal free. They are awesome.
I use them with contacts and my eyes are very sensitive. It doesnt bother my eyes at all. Its metal free. they come in poofer bottles and jars. Sillyfarm.com Silly Farm is the only place i get my supplies from. oh get small cut. I always use a barrier spray. have been for 7 years. Never had a problem with any of it.