Had a question on the blog recently about cake paints and liquid paints. Kim Baker left a comment with the question:
“What are the pros/cons of liquid paint? Do most face painters use the cakes and only liquids for certain things?”
For those of you who didn’t see the comments thread last week this is what I said:
“……And liquid paint verses cakes? Its totally up to the painter. Some beginners might find the liquid paints easier because it can sometimes be tricky to get the right consistency when working with cakes…. Try both, see what works for you.”
But I want to hear, what everyone else thinks about
Cake Paints and Liquid Paints!
What kind of face paints do you use? Do you prefer cake paints or liquid paints…and Why? What brands do you like to use?
Share your opinion with us - leave a comment by clicking here, I’d really like to hear your thoughts 
Happy Face Painting
Philadelphia Tivoli
www.FacePaintingTips.com
“Helping You Paint with Your Favorite Face Paints!”
Buy Face Paints Supplies Right Here!
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Howdy All!
I like the liquid paints because I don’t have to worry about trying to keep the paint wet like you do with cake. But the cakes that I have are more vibrant. I like using both.
Hello all I would like to say that I prefer the cake paints. They are more vibrant,they last longer and there is more for your money. The consistency takes a little practice. But once achieved better results. Kudos to Snazaroo.
I like to use cakes for base colors, and liquids for line work.
Oh, and I am so delighted to have discovered this blog!
first of all I love your blog. It’s amazing.
the kind I prefer depens on the knid of work.
when I teach, specially kids, I prefer the liquids. For details- the liquids r much faster- I also use metalic finish eyeliners, which are nice (the brand doesn’t matter as long as the got approved to use on the face and their cheap.
It is true that the cakes are more vibrant. they also give more opaque finish- so when I need coverage- I use cakes.
Hi,
Well i am just a bigginer at this point, but iam so glad i discovered this blog also. I have painted with the cake paints and i asume those are the ones that need to use water with right? the liquid ones i sometimes use, i use to use them alot but i realize the cake paints are much more nicer and last longer and will not smear as bad and has a soft look. If anyone would like to teach me some designs or give me some pointers on how to paint, i would really appreciate it.. i do alot fo cheek paintings and now iam learning the whole face paintigs which are great, but i really would love be become a pro any advise will be greatly appreciated.
I am an professional artist. i work in oils acrylics, sometimes watercolor, right now I am adventuring in face painting (yeah!). why do the cakes need water?? do you need to get a right consistency? Do you washed the brush everytime after you deep on the paint to clean it or to water the paint?
I would really appreciate your expertises?
Hi Ivonne,
Cakes need water because they’re solid and not moist enough to apply straight away. So, a little skill is needed to get the right consistency but its pretty easy with some practice. You will need to wash your brushes after each model.
Happy Face Painting
Philadelphia Tivoli
Hi,
I’ve just been using the snaz liquids and I am in love with them.
I wish they made bigger jars that is my only complaint.
They are beautiful don’t rub off or sweat off easily and
I just love them.
The cakes are cakey and even if I spray them they don’t always stay wet.
Especially when it’s hot out. I can water down the liquid and it still stays fluid
and beautiful. Liquid is better and if you haven’t tried the snaz liquid you should.
the colors are more beautiful and vibrant( the sparkle and metallic especially.
And when you’re painting high volume it is cleaner.
I tried both and like the ligid better since i can never get the consistency right on the cakes. I keep praticing though with the cakes. I have been using the Mehron, but can’t find the 1oz jars anywhere. Found one site that sells them but when i recieved the paints, 1/2 of them were lumpy and not good. Have never heard or tried the snaz liquids and might try them since i cannot find the mehron paints.
Ok, thought i would try the snaz liquid paints but can you help me and tell me where you can purchase them or what the full name is. I cannot find them anywhere. Are they the snazaarro face paints? I would appreciate any replies on what are nice liquid face paints to use. Thank you
Hi Katiemay!
Go to snazaroo.com for a list of liquid paints and a whole lot more. I love Snazaroo because they blend so well for me. Happy painting!
for anything, go to facepaintingtips.com
You can find your mehron supplies there as well!
♥ Mollie the Painter
I’m having so much trouble with my snazaroo face paints smearing horribly. I want my design to last longer than 2 seconds…little ones are always touching it when I’m done and it smudges! help!
I use cakes all the time and love the blending – I have just purchased 10 snazaroo 18ml cakes and cut them up and then pieced them back as mixtures of colours in the pots…the mixed *cakes* are very popular in the USA ……and expensive…what better way than to make your own – I have a pot with white, red and pink and used with the big flat brush blend the perfect multi coloured rose! You can share with friends and end up with unusual colours…a strip of black, white and blue makes a gorgeous dolphin and if you want to blend a rainbow, just wipe your sponge across the colours and gently drag round the face. Perfect!! Silly Farm show you the cakes…will give you an idea
) I have been face painting for over 18 years and there is always something exciting around the corner!
Hello everyone,
I am beginner who will be doing my first little market day this weekend.
I am starting with liquids by Derivan which are Australian made. (I’m from Australia) but after coming across this blog, I will be adding snazaroo cakes and a few others to my kit as I go
Hi Natalie,
Be sure to try Diamond FX cake paints as well, they’re a little stronger than Snazaroo and have more vibrant colors! Let me know if you need helping sourcing paints and I will gladly suggest a palette/kit to help you out
Thank you Philadelphia, I’m off to find out about Diamond FX right now !
Hi there,
Glad I found this website. Lot’s info and tips for beginners like me. Since it’s rather hard to get face paint here in Malaysia, the only option i have is Global Body Arts Paint which is in liquid. The white is always blend in with the base color and doesn’t look like white lines or dots. I don’t know about cake paints and hoping to get some DFX Colours. Maybe anyone can suggest me a site where I can purchase online…and best from Australia which is the nearest to Malaysia which takes shorter time to reach me here.
Thanks.
We are having a carnival at our church and would like to have a booth with face painting. Someone mentioned that we could use foam stamps but I am not sure what type of face paint to use. Need it to wash off easily. (Don’t want parents upset) I tried using the crayola type face paint but didn’t work. I was told I need to use liquid face paint but not sure what would be best. Any suggestions?
Hi Marsha – Diamond FX face paints wash off very easily. It is a professional face paint that will give you professional results. Their cake paints are very easy to work with, just add a little water and use with a brush or sponge. You can buy here: http://www.facepaintingtips.com
Hi Izzati – in Australia you can buy from moztheatre.com.au
hi there. i just purchased the snazaroo deluxe kit and am experimenting in my kids, have a festival coming up and am nervous about it. can anyone tell me how i can mix the colours? on a budget and need to make the best of what i have. any suggestions? points would be great…thanx
Can the liquid paint go into a stamp pad? Can I waterdown my DFX to make a liquid form that could go into a stamp pad?
Never tried it before, give it a go!!