Make Your Own "Green" Halloween Face Paint

Now that lead has been found in Halloween face paint, the search is on for safer ways to decorate dimples and illuminate eyes. One thing is clear: ONLY face paint of cosmetic grade should be used. Fortunately, many options exist:

Snazaroo’s 50 colors are water-based, made with materials that meet health and safety standards set both by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union, and carry a ‘child safety" toy rating. Need sparkle, brushes, sponges or stencils so you don’t turn your princess into a pea pod? Snazaroo sells it all. 

Lyra Face Paint Pencils are non-toxic and dermatologically tested to maximize safety. Manufactured according to European Standards and certified by the Art and Craft Materials Institute, they come in a set of six easy-to-apply colors (white, yellow, red, blue, green and black).

Pink Quartz Minerals (featured in photo) is a vegan mineral makeup manufacturer that also offers non-toxic, mineral-based Halloween makeup in a wide variety of colors.

If you have any doubts about a product you’re considering, check the ingredients against the data base maintained by Environmental Working Group.

Of course, you can always buy organically-based, paraben- and phthalate-free cosmetics in your grocery or department store. You can even make your own. Here’s a recipe from...

 FamilyEducation.com:

Homemade Halloween Face Paint Recipe: 

Materials
Bowl

1 tablespoon solid shortening
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Water (optional)
Natural-based food coloring (you can find this at your local Whole Foods that carries all-natural, non-petroleum-based food coloring items or you can make your own natural food coloring with items you may already have stored in your kitchen!

Small jar or plastic container

Directions
In a bowl, mix shortening and cornstarch until smooth.
Add food coloring one drop at a time until you get the desired color.
Use a clean sponge or fingers to apply paint to a large area or use a small clean brush to apply thin paint- with a little water first.
Remove with soap and water.
Store covered.

Want more green Halloween ideas? Start here.

Comments

[wolverine costume]

Awesome. How healthy/safe is this for the skin, though? I know its green, but is it still safe for the face? The 2 are not always together, you know.

[House of Gryphon]

I had no idea making my own face paint was this simple! I love the example you used too! Very cool!

[john]

Snazaroo face paint was independently tested, and contained lead. Check it out at safecosmetics.org

All 10 face paints tested had lead in them.

[Diane MacEachern]

Yikes. Thanks for the heads up - I will review as soon as I have time!