Do You Tip Face Painters?

Face painters are super fun for people of all ages, and they’re really not an uncommon sight to see. When you see a face painter at a carnival or on a board walk, you’ll obviously need to pay them. However, a question can quickly arise: should I tip them?

You should tip a face painter, no matter who is getting their face painted or how simple the design seems. A face painter is providing their supplies and their time. Just like you’d tip your server at your favorite restaurant, you should be tipping them, too.

In this article, you’ll learn more about why you need to tip a face painter and the best way to do so. In addition, read on to learn more about other ways you can thank them in addition to tipping them.

Why Should I Tip A Face Painter?

Face painting is something that happens all over the place; in malls, at parties, and even on boardwalks. You might see a face painter and assume you don’t need to tip them, that the cost of the service covers a tip. However, this is not the case.

You should tip your face painter because:

• They’re spending time on the design
• They’re using supplies that can get expensive
• They’re often dealing with children

Face Painting Takes Time

Though you don’t need an official degree to be a face painter, you do still need to put in lots of time and practice to get to where you need to be. When you’re approaching a face painter to get a design, you should assume that they’ve spent lots of time perfecting their skills to begin with.

When they sit the client down to begin working on a design, they’re about to spend even more time on them. They’re going to spend a while perfecting their design to make sure you’re as happy as possible. During this time that they’re working with you or your child, they’re devoting their attention to you.

This is why you should tip. Because while you were in the chair getting painted, they gave up that time to be with you. Time they could’ve been using to see more clients and make more money. You especially need to tip if:

• You asked for a super intricate design
• You asked for multiple people to be done
• You chose a mask-type design rather than something simpler

Supplies Are Pricey

It’s not your fault that supplies for face painting can get expensive, of course. However, by tipping your face painter, you’re offering them a little something extra to make up for the supplies you used. If you had a larger party or asked for a paint-heavy, full face design, tipping is just a nice way to say thank you.

However, don’t be fooled by the intricacy of your design. Even a small, dainty design can take up a surprising amount of paint. Tipping your face painter, no matter the size of your design, is a good way to ensure that they’ll be able to cover the cost of the supplies your design used.

People Are Restless

This is perhaps the biggest reason to tip a face painter, regardless of the client’s age. People squirm and itch, and sneeze. Intricate designs can take upwards of 20 minutes, which is a long time to be sitting in one place, especially for children.

If your child is the one getting their face painted, there’s no telling when they’re going to squirm around or have a random outburst. Face painters are extremely patient people who can work in very non-calming conditions. Sometimes, they’re even the ones who calm the child when it’s upset, and they keep a steady hand through all of the issues.

Tipping them after they’ve painted your child’s face is just a way to say thank you for being patient, for calming my child, and for not freaking out if you were sneezed on by accident. Even if everything went well, though, you should still tip.

When is it Okay Not to Tip?

Even if you went into the interaction prepared to tip, there are a few instances where you may decide you don’t want to, like:

• If they were rude to you. If your face painter was rude to you during your session and didn’t even apologize, you should not feel obligated to tip them.
• If they were unaccommodating. If you expressed to them that you were unhappy with the design or wanted something altered and they refused to listen to you, tipping isn’t necessary.
• If they didn’t follow instructions. If you were clear and told them specifically what you wanted and they didn’t provide that, you don’t have to tip. However, if you notice that they’ve done something wrong, be sure to let them know before they finish so they can correct it.

Should I Tip A Face Painter At A Party?

Sometimes, parents will hire face painters for their children’s parties. Typically, you wouldn’t think to tip a face painter in this setting, and you don’t technically need to, but it would still be nice. If you’re sending your child to the party alone and not staying with them, you don’t need to worry about it. But if you’re around anyway, you might as well, just as a thank you.

Other Ways To Say Thank You

Sometimes, you forget to bring cash with you or you just catch a face painter unexpectedly. In these instances, you might still want to thank them for their services and their time. You can:

• Ask for their Venmo/PayPal. You’ll be able to send them money through there without having to physically exchange it. This should be your first course of action if you don’t have cash to tip with.
• Post about them on social media. Word of mouth is great for business! You can also do this even if you did tip, just to be kind.
• Say thank you and apologize. Just saying, “I’m so sorry, I wish I had cash to tip you,” is totally fine if you have no other recourse. Make sure they know you appreciate their hard work.

In Conclusion

If you can, you should always tip your face painter. It’s just the best way to thank them for devoting their time, talent, and patience to you. Luckily, the 21st century makes it easy to tip a face painter even if you don’t carry physical cash.