Face Painting age rule?

[stardust]

Hi Guys!

  just wanted your imput on age of children you will paint on and is there anything out there to back it up. i had a lady ask about her daughters 1st b-day party- which i do not paint on 1yr olds, unless its summer and i paint a leg maybe... but i just wanted something to back up my "no"
  please let me know how u handle the "too young" and let me know your personal "painting age"

** also- to those who do glitter tattoos, whats the youngest u tattoo? i have done a babies tattoo on their leg before- but man what a pain since they r soo wiggley..

      thanks so much for your imput

[Sherry]

I prefer not to do ages 3 and under, but I really don't have a rule.  I've heard of some that absolutely won't do that age range.  I think it was Shannon from Canada.  To be honest, I cringe inside a bit when they bring a little baby over, so I tell the parents that I'll try, but let them know that they have to be willing.  Then I make a little attempt.  If the child looks afraid or isn't cooperative, I might try the hand.  If they're still not having any of it, I tell the parent I can't and that the child has to be willing.

The reason I do this, is because once in a blue moon I have a little one that sits so still and patient and does even better than some of the older children!  I don't see any reason why you can't make it a rule if you like.  Children that young can also have more sensitive skin.

For glitter tattoos, I only do ages 3 and up because of the skin sensitivity.  My daughter when she was 2 broke out with a rash when I did a glitter tattoo on her arm.

[smoothdansa]

I paint kids 2 and up and with 2 yr olds I will only paint their arm. If a parent ask I just say that their skin may be sensitive to the paint, they probably aren't going to sit still, and they may end up touching the paint and then putting their hand in their mouth.  Yes there are kids under 2 that might sit still but for every 1 child that does sit still there are 5 or 6 that won't and I just don't feel like fighting or being patient with a child when there are other kids in line who really do want to get painted.
Even on the back of Paradise paints it says not for children under 3.

[littleprecious]

For me ideally no you ger than three years old but all must me wanted to be painted. Rule fir me is not to go anylower than two and a half i will paint on arms or hands. Their skin is not fully developed and paints may cause allergic reaction to their skin.

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

Must confess...I have painted little ones.
I willing to try if they are willing to have their child on their lap.
I try to distract their fears with "look in the mirror" or "hold this dry brush."
Sometimes it works, other times....Sorry!

[sealmom]

The way we handle the age issue is to say that "we are following the manufacturer's recommendations" to not paint on the faces of children under the age of 3.  If we have a parent that is insistent we will then paint on a hand or arm.  This usually appeases everyone.  On occasion a 2 year old will show up and the mom & the child both insist on a face design... I will tell the mom that I am to held blameless if the child breaks out in a rash or has some other adverse reaction.  This either scares them off or allows me to go ahead with a clear conscience.  However... these instances don't happen very often. 
Lori (sealmom)

[Wildcatfin]

Totally depends on the kid, and if they have had it before. I will often just do a few flowers as a 'test' on under 3's. Some who like it do get full faces and are better at sitting than 5 yr olds.

My own 2 yr old has been following me to big face & body events since he was born, and is notorious for sneakily decorating peoples hands/ legs with 'borrowed' paint/ brushes. He's got very sensitive skin but having covered himself in my paint, hadn't reacted. And actually let me paint him for the 1st time yesterday (truly AWFUL croc, he buried his face even though he wanted it done).

So it is up to you. But I will NOT paint babies whatever their parents say; they have to be old enough to focus and WANT what's going on. I turned down a big gig TV in Hong Kong last year as they wanted me to tiger-facepaint 30 under 1's for a Chinese New Year of the Tiger crawling race:0. Really don't think they had thought that thru! Can you imagine? Even w/o the paint - chaos!

Cat x

[Psalmbook]

It depends on the child. I usually try to stay away from kids under 3, but have painted some. I will not paint newborns & when the mom's ask I explain that their skin is just to sensitive & we don't want to break them out(comeon... the have special shampoo, soap & laundry detergent?!). I tell the parents to hold the child & I'll try, but if they don't look like they want it, then I'll stop. Some sit through it, some think I'm feeding them & open their mouths wide for the brush & some turn their head & start to cry. If I can't paint the child I'll say, "How about something for the mommy? We like to be pretty too!" They almost always get painted & I think that's what they really wanted.
I do parties for 1 yr olds all the time but let the parents know the painting is really for the older kids at the party.

[MandiIlene]

Well I admit I have painted babies. Mostly not younger than 10 months or so and I tell the parents I can try, but if they dont sit still then I can't.
I would never turn down a paying party(need the income so far), I actually go to alot of one year olds parties, most of the other people are family members etc, and most of the time the baby doesnt even get painted.

Occasionally they are sleeping and then I can work my magic. HA. I never use black on them though!

This was from my last b-day party for a baby.

Here is one at a festival that sat perfectly still.