HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

How to hire a face painter in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Face painters need no licence in the UK. Here is what to check, what to ask and what the booking must say.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a face painter in five steps

  1. Ask what paints they useCosmetic face paints made for skin, not craft paint. Ask to see the labels.
  2. Ask about allergies and skinA good face painter asks first and skips broken skin, rashes and cold sores.
  3. Ask for a record certificateA basic DBS, Level 1 or basic AccessNI certificate for children's events.
  4. Give numbers and hoursRoughly how many faces, so the face painter picks quick or detailed designs.
  5. Provide a table, chairs and shadeOutdoors, a gazebo or shade keeps the face painter working in rain or sun.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

The law in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland sets no licence, register or qualification for face painters. A face painter works on children's skin at close range, so you are checking the person and the paints.

Get recent references and a written booking from the face painter before money changes hands.

Public liability insurance for the face painter

No law sets an insurance level for this work, but venues commonly name a public liability figure for every supplier. Fetes, schools and councils regularly ask a face painter for it before they will give them a pitch.

Ask the face painter to send the policy schedule straight to the venue, checking the amount against what the venue asked.

Criminal record check for the face painter

Anyone can ask for a basic check on themselves: a basic DBS check for work in England and Wales, a Level 1 disclosure from Disclosure Scotland, or a basic AccessNI check in Northern Ireland. Each shows unspent convictions only. No licence makes a self-booked face painter hold one, so asking for it is your decision.

Ask the face painter to show the certificate or online disclosure and its date. gov.uk →

Trader status and cancellation terms

When you book a face painter through a business, you are buying from a trader; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the service must show reasonable care and skill. Because regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 excludes catering and leisure services booked for a set date or period, a change of heart after booking is usually governed by the face painter's own terms, not a statutory 14 days.

Before paying a deposit, find the clause on what the face painter keeps if you cancel or move the date. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Face painting at a party or event is a standard-rated service; a registered face painter adds 20%. Face painters whose taxable turnover passes £90,000 must register, charge VAT and show it as its own line on the quote and invoice.

Ask whether the face painter is VAT-registered, and if so ask for the number and for 20% shown under the hours. gov.uk →

“What brand of paint do you use, and is it made for faces?”

A good answer: Cosmetic-grade face paint, with labels the face painter shows you. Craft or acrylic paint is a no.

“How do you keep brushes and sponges clean between children?”

A good answer: Separate sponges per child or cleaned brushes and fresh water — a face painter with a clear routine.

“Will you check for allergies and skin problems?”

A good answer: Yes: the face painter asks the parent first and skips any child with a rash or cold sore.

“Do you have a criminal record certificate?”

A good answer: A basic DBS, Level 1 or AccessNI certificate the face painter can show.

“Are you insured for the event?”

A good answer: Public liability cover held by the face painter, with a copy for the venue.

“How many faces can you do an hour?”

A good answer: A realistic number for the designs chosen, so the face painting queue does not get out of hand.

“Do you do glitter tattoos too?”

A good answer: If so, priced separately, with the glue and glitter made for skin.

Getting the quote right

  • The date, start and finish of the face painter's booking
  • The minimum hours and the rate for any extra hour
  • Face painting only, or glitter tattoos and other extras
  • Travel and parking
  • Deposit and cancellation terms
  • Their VAT number, if registered, and VAT under the booking
  • Who actually attends: the painter whose work you saw, or another — employed or subcontracted

Walk away if

  • Craft or acrylic paint on the kit table
  • No allergy question before painting
  • Dirty water and one sponge for everyone
  • No record certificate or insurance when asked
LOW
£40
TYPICAL
£45
HIGH
£100

What a face painter costs: £40–£100 per hour

Face painters charge by the hour, usually with a minimum booking, and price glitter tattoos and travel separately. Face Painter price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Face painters near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

  1. Set up the stationThe face painter sets up a table, chairs, mirror, clean water and paints in a shaded spot.
  2. Ask and checkEach parent is asked about allergies and the child's skin is checked before painting.
  3. PaintDesigns chosen from a board, with fresh sponges or cleaned brushes for each child.
  4. Manage the queueQuicker designs at busy moments so every child gets a turn.
  5. Clear upStation cleared at the agreed time, balance settled.

Cosmetic face paint
Paint made for use on skin, labelled with its ingredients.
Glitter tattoo
A design of skin-safe glue and cosmetic glitter that lasts a few days.
Design board
The menu of designs a face painter offers.
One-stroke
A technique loading several colours on one brush for quick designs.
Public liability insurance
Cover for injury or damage caused while working.
Basic DBS / Level 1 / basic AccessNI
The criminal record checks an individual can request in each nation.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the bookingIt records the face painter's hours and rate.
Watch for reactionsAny redness or rash after face painting should be washed off and the face painter told in writing.
Note the paints usedIf a child reacted, the brand and product name help a doctor or pharmacist.
Leave the reviewTell the next host how the face painter did; Locufy reviews come only from real bookings. If something went wrong, the make-it-right step comes first: the face painter is asked to put it right before the review goes live.

STEP 1Put it to the face painter in writingWrite down what went wrong — a late start, unclean kit, a skin reaction to the paint — and what would put it right, then send it by email or message. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (section 49) the face painter owed you reasonable care and skill, and if an event cannot be repeated the remedy is money off, which can be the full fee.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyRate the face painter below four stars and you are asked whether to send the problem to them first; we follow it through, then your review is published.
STEP 3Free consumer adviceThere is no ombudsman or regulator for face painters. If the trader will not engage, Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) covers England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) covers Scotland, and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) covers Northern Ireland; each can pass a complaint about face painters to Trading Standards.
STEP 4Money the face painter will not returnA claim against a face painter can go to court without a solicitor: up to £10,000 on the small claims track in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under simple procedure in the sheriff court in Scotland, and up to £5,000 in the small claims court in Northern Ireland.

Hiring a face painter: questions people ask

No. What can need licensing is the event — a Temporary Event Notice in England and Wales, a council entertainment licence in Northern Ireland — and that is for the organiser, not the face painter.

No licence makes a self-booked face painter hold one, but you can ask. A basic DBS check covers work in England and Wales, a Level 1 disclosure from Disclosure Scotland covers Scotland, and a basic AccessNI check covers Northern Ireland; each shows unspent convictions.

£40 to £100 per hour, typically around £45. For the factors behind the range, open the face painter price guide; for real prices, search your area above.

Paint made for skin, applied to unbroken skin after an allergy check, is what to expect. Ask the face painter what they use.

It depends on the designs: simple cheek art is quick, full faces take longer. Ask for a realistic figure.

A table, two chairs, shade or cover outdoors and somewhere to get clean water.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in events & entertainment

How to hire: Children's EntertainerHow to hire: Balloon ModellerHow to hire: CaricaturistHow to hire: MagicianHow to hire: Bouncy Castle HireHow to hire: Mascot HireHow to hire: Party PlannerHow to hire: Stilt WalkerAll 701 hiring guides →

Face painters near you

Face painters in LondonFace painters in ManchesterFace painters in BirminghamFace painters in GlasgowFace painters in BelfastAll face painters on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk — entertainment licence (Northern Ireland)
  2. gov.uk — Temporary Events Notice
  3. gov.uk — request a basic DBS check
  4. mygov.scot — apply for a Level 1 disclosure
  5. nidirect — types of AccessNI checks
  6. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28 — contracts the cancellation right does not cover
  7. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  8. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  9. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  10. nidirect — small claims process
  11. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue (England)
  12. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  13. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register