How I Created My Ultimate Face Paint Kit!
If you’ve been following my work or checking out my face painting posts, you’ve probably noticed that I’m obsessed with my kit. After more than 12 years of face painting, I’ve finally put together a setup that I absolutely love—compact, organized, and efficient. In this article, I’m sharing all my favorite products that make my kit what it is today.
A quick note: I’ve included affiliate links for some of the items that can be purchased through Amazon (meaning I may earn a small commission if you decide to buy). I’ve also listed products from other retailers that I am not affiliated with but genuinely love. I will always be transparent about any affiliations and only recommend products I personally use and trust, regardless of compensation.
Disclaimer: I have not included any paint or cosmetic products on this post as I only purchase these items from reputable face paint suppliers such as Art Factory, Jest Paint, or Silly Farm. I do not recommend buying face paints or cosmetics from Amazon, Temu, or other sources, as you may end up with products that aren’t safe for the skin.
1. Aluminum Tool Case
My face paint case is an aluminum tool case I found at Harbor Freight. It’s the perfect size—18 inches by 6 inches by 13 inches—and features a rugged exterior with a padded interior and removable dividers. It’s ideal for when I’m on the go, and the keyed-lock latches keep everything secure if I need to step away from my station. It holds plenty of supplies without being too bulky to travel with, making it both practical and portable.
2. Magnets
These magnets from Total Element are my favorite. They come with a 3M adhesive backing, making it easy to attach them to my paint and glitter containers. This setup keeps the paints steady on the magnet board surface (see #3) and secures the glitters on the magnet strips mounted to the inside lid of my case (see #4). It’s an efficient way to keep everything organized and accessible.
3. Magnet Board
Inside my case, I’ve fitted a magnet board that’s perfectly sized. It’s fantastic for setting up all my paints, giving me quick and easy access. Plus, it maximizes storage space, keeping everything neat and organized.
Pro Tip: The board may need some extra support to prevent sagging from the weight of your paints. You can use small dowels cut to the right height or modify the dividers inside the case, raising them about 1/2 inch to create additional support.
4. Self-Adhesive Magnet Strips
I’ve attached two self-adhesive magnet strips to the inside lid of my case to hold and display glitter gel pots. I love how this keeps the glitters visible and easily accessible without taking up valuable space on my paint surface. It’s always a hit at events—people can’t help but admire the vibrant colors!
5. Silicon Brush Holders
These silicone brush holders are one of my favorite investments. They hold brushes of all sizes and come in fun colors, adding a pop of personality to my setup. While they do require a bit more setup time, I find them much easier to use than the popular brush wallets on the market. In my experience, those wallets tend to misshape and damage brushes over time. The extra setup time is totally worth it if it means keeping my brushes in better condition for longer!
6. Collapsible Water Cups With 3-D printed textured bottom
Most face painters use a 3-cup rinse system to keep their brushes clean on the job. I found a set of collapsible water cups that are perfect for this—they fold down to save space in my kit, making transportation easier. To enhance the cleaning process, I had a textured 3D-printed puck made to fit inside each cup. These pucks provide extra friction, helping to thoroughly clean paint from the brush bristles. If you’re interested in getting a custom paint puck, feel free to contact me here.
7. Mesh Wash Bags
I use these mesh wash bags to collect my dirty sponges and daubers while I’m on the job. Once I’m home, I simply toss them in the washing machine. I love that these bags have a drawstring with a toggle, which keeps them securely closed during the wash cycle. The zipper bags I used to use would always pop open, causing sponges to get loose in the machine—no more of that hassle!
8. Collapsible Sand Castle Buckets
I use a set of three collapsible sand castle buckets at every gig. One holds fresh water for wetting my sponges and towels, another collects the dirty sponges and towels, and the third is for discarding rinse water. They’re compact and easy to pack, but expand to a large enough size to be super convenient during face painting events.
9. Black Microfiber Towels
Instead of disposable baby wipes, I use black microfiber towels. They not only create less waste but also clean up better than wipes. Plus, the black color hides stains (because, as you know, face paint can get messy!). They’re reusable, durable, and a must-have in my setup.
10. The Home Edit Small Containers
To keep everything organized, I use The Home Edit’s small containers inside my kit. They fit perfectly and help me keep my small and large daubers separate. I also use one for split cakes. These containers make it easy to keep my case neat and simplify both unpacking and packing up.
11. Recollections Dauber Set
I love the Recollections dauber set from Michaels because it comes with 41 daubers. My favorite feature is that they nest together, which makes packing them much more efficient than other daubers I’ve seen on the market. Plus, you get more value for your money with this set.
12. Large Dauber with Custom Made Handles
For larger stencils, I use a set of foam daubers with custom 3D-printed handles. Originally, I bought a set of wooden handles with Velcro pads, but they took up too much space in my kit. So, I collaborated with a local 3D print shop to create a custom set of dauber handles that better fit my preferences. If you're interested in these custom daubers, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to help you place an order!
13. 1oz Glitter Gel Jars
I use these 1oz jars for my glitter gels. I add a self adhesive magnet (see #1) to the lid and display them across the top magnet bar on the inside lid of my case. They’re the perfect size for storing glitter and fit great inside my kit. I love that I can easily switch out colors depending on the season. I also use these jars for my glitter bar services and offer a "Make Your Own Glitter Gel" activities at private parties.
Side Note: If you are interested in a consulting session on how to add services and grow your face paint business contact me, I’d love to help!
14. Acrylic Trays with Lids
For my solid colors and smaller rainbow cakes, I use these 14- and 27-compartment acrylic trays with lids. They've been a game-changer! These trays help condense the space my paints take up while keeping everything organized. I prefer the rigid material of these trays over the silicone ones. Plus, the removable lids are perfect for protecting the paints when the weather turns bad or when storing them away.
16. 18” and 24” Stools
I used to struggle with ankle and back pain while face painting. Sitting was aggravating my back, and standing for long periods wasn’t ideal for my ankle—until I found these stools! I use the shorter one with an 18” seat height, while the kids sit on the taller 24” stool. It raises them high enough that I don’t have to hunch over to paint them. For adults or older teens, I either stand for a moment or swap stools, having them sit in the shorter one while I sit in the taller one. This solution has been a lifesaver for both my ankle and back pain!
16. Hulken Bag
Last but certainly not least is one of my all-time favorite purchases for my business: my Large Hulken bag. While I wish everything on this list fit into my case, I'm a bit of a pack rat and tend to bring it all to my gigs. This versatile bag holds so much, and it makes it incredibly easy to transport everything without making several trips from the car. It handles curbs and uneven ground really well once you get the hang of tugging it along. It’s become an indispensable part of my kit, and I absolutely love it!
The Extras
There are a few extra items that you don’t NEED for your kit but they sure do come in handy for events in the evening or outside.
1. LED Lights
I’ve attached this self-adhesive, USB-powered light strip to the inside lid of my case. It adds a fun touch to evening events and also helps me see my paints clearly—it’s a win-win! You’ll need to buy a 6ft strip and cut off any excess, but be sure to follow the instructions on the package for trimming. If you find the adhesive isn’t sticking well enough to the inside of your case, you can apply some hot glue to help it stay in place.
2. Ring Light
I have two of these ring lights that I bring to outdoor evening events. They work perfectly with the battery pack (see extra #3) and provide plenty of light, making evening painting a breeze. The telescoping stand is fantastic because the lights can either be freestanding or placed on a tabletop. I also use these lights at home when I practice or want to record myself painting.
3. Battery Pack
I have three of these battery packs, and they’re worth every penny. When I’m not using them at gigs, I use them to recharge my phone, Bluetooth headset, speakers, or tablet. They work with any device that uses a USB power cord, and they have enough power to run my LED lights, ring lights, and portable fans for a full day.
4. ABC Canopy
This canopy tent has been a great investment for outdoor events and festivals. It’s well-made with a steel frame and heavy-duty UV-blocking fabric rated UVP 50. You do need two people to set it up, but I’ve never had trouble finding help at events when I’m solo. I recommend investing in a couple side walls for added shade and protection from the elements. And, DO NOT FORGET the weights! This tent works great—until it gets knocked around on a windy day. Make sure it’s properly weighted down to prevent it from blowing away.
5. Rechargeable Fans
I purchased two of these 8” rechargeable fans, and they’ve been fantastic for hot or buggy days. Their small size and clip-on feature make them super convenient. The battery lasts long enough for a 2-hour gig, and they come with a USB charge cord, so I can easily plug them into my battery packs to recharge. They charge quickly, and I can swap them out on longer gigs.
I hope this gives you a peek into my face painting setup! Whether you're a fellow artist or just curious, I hope these tips help you set up your own efficient, organized kit. If you have any questions about where I got something or need help finding a product, don’t hesitate to reach out!
