Question 1

What is your schedule availability?

Accepted Answer

My availability is:
 
*Earlier weekday hours may be accommodated. Please inquire for availability.

Please be sure to include your date and times in your inquiry.

Question 2

How do I book an event with you?

Accepted Answer

Please send me an email and  I will reply to your request within 24 hours. You can also reach out to me via Facebook or Instagram.

Question 3

What if I want you to stay longer on the day of the event?

Accepted Answer

So your event is a big hit and you want to keep your me painting for longer. I can do that as long as I have no prior commitments. I bill in 30 min increments so if your event goes over 15 mins, you pay for 30 mins and if your event goes over 55 mins you pay for an additional hour. You may pay for this service via cash, Venmo or Zelle after your event.

Question 4

What do you need for set up from me? How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

At no charge to you, I will need 15 minutes of setup and tear down time.  I will bring all the equipment and supplies required to paint at your event.

I will need a level area in which to set up a table and chair, access to a supply of clean water, somewhere to dispose of dirty water, and bathroom facilities. Wherever I am working, a reasonable level of light, either natural or artificial is essential – I cannot paint if I cannot see. For outdoor events, suitable cover/shelter will be required even if the weather is good. I require protection from extreme temperatures, sun, rain, snow and excessive wind. My paints contain waxes and glycerin which, if exposed to direct sunlight, can become unusable from melting.

Question 5

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

I am a Loudoun County, VA-based face painter. I am more than happy to travel around the DMV area. Jobs within 30 miles of Ashburn, VA are free of travel charge. Over 30 miles will incur a travel fee.

Question 6

Do you work with schools?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I've worked with Loudoun County Public Schools. I will just need proper school forms to fill out before your event.

Question 7

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I am insured through Beauty & Bodywork Insurance, Great American Alliance. Certification Number BWI431409 .

Question 8

Terms, Conditions and Policies

Accepted Answer

Fees & Payments
 
Be sure to book your time accordingly to avoid leaving anyone out. Sometimes I have an event booked right after yours and I may not be able to stay past stop time contracted. If you wish to exceed the time booked and I am available to stay, it will be charged in half-hour increments. At no charge to you, I will need 15 minutes of setup and tear down time.  Your event is not booked until I receive the signed contract and the non-refundable booking fee. Remaining balance is due no later than one week before the event and is also non-refundable.

Once a booking fee has been paid and contract signed, I am now officially holding open my calendar for you, and you are guaranteed my services for your event. I cannot book another event if you cancel or change your date last minute. Should you need to reschedule your event, please do so at least 7 days prior and I will work with you to accommodate an alternate date; however, due to other bookings and commitments, availability may be limited.

**I do not offer refunds for inclement weather so please be cautious when booking for outdoor events. Having an alternate indoor plan for rain is highly recommended. If you have booked waterproof face painting, I am happy to substitute with regular face paints if your event is moved indoors.

In the VERY unlikely event that I am unwell or have to cancel due to extreme circumstances, I will make every effort to find a replacement artist; if this is not possible, you will be refunded in full.
  
Parking
Please either leave a space open in front of the house on the street, the driveway, or a loading dock so I can unload equipment. The Client will reimburse me for any parking fees related to the event.
 
Safe Setup Minimum Requirements
Please provide a minimum of 4’ x 5’ space. 15 minutes of setup (you do not pay for this time) and take down time is required. Please ensure that location has adequate lighting. Please provide access to bathroom facilities. If outdoor, you must provide me with a shelter from sun/wind/rain. If it is a tent, it must be STAKED AND WEIGHTED. My regular paints contain waxes and glycerin which, if exposed to direct sunlight, can become unusable from melting. If you are not able to remedy the sun/wind/rain exposure by moving to a sheltered or alternate indoor location, I am leaving without refunding payment. I love that you hired a band/DJ, but if I can’t hear your guests, or they can’t hear me, it will massively slow me down. Please locate me away from speakers.
 
Weather
For the comfort of your guests and myself, the client agrees to provide an area with protection from extreme temperatures, sun, rain, snow and excessive wind. Client is responsible to provide an alternate indoor location in the event of inclement weather. I do not offer refunds for inclement weather. If you have booked waterproof face painting, I am happy to substitute with regular face paints if your event is moved indoors. If you are not able to remedy the sun/wind/rain exposure by moving to a sheltered or alternate indoor location, I am leaving without refunding payment.
 
Product Safety
As the owner and sole artist at Fairy Tree Face Painting by Melanie, all products I use are FDA approved for cosmetic use on face and body. I use only professional water-based face paints for my regular jobs.The paints are hypoallergenic and contain agents to prohibit the formation of yeast, mold and bacteria.  I only use cosmetic glitters, which are safe for skin.
 
For those booking waterproof face painting, I am able to create designs similar to standard face painting, but it will not wash off when you jump into the pool! The paint used is alcohol-based, which is a completely different formula than the standard face painting. It is manufactured in the United States and uses FDA compliant pigments, and is equally safe and gentle on the skin. To remove you can use coconut oil, mineral oil, baby oil, or some makeup removers such as Almay wipes. Alcohol-based paints can leave stains on cloth, clothing and objects. I am not responsible for any damage. 
 
Health Safety
I adhere to strict standards of hygiene – clean sponges are used for each face and brushes are rinsed thoroughly in clean water which is changed regularly. Sponges and brushes are washed with hot water and specialist soap between events. Dirty faces are wiped before I start work, and I use anti-bacterial hand cleanser to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
 
While I use ONLY FDA-approved cosmetic grade face painting supplies, I am not liable for allergic reactions to paints. If you believe you or a child for whom you are responsible may be sensitive or have allergies to any product, please do not ask to be painted, or request a patch test and wait 30 minutes.
 
For sanitary reasons, I will not paint anyone appearing to be sick or suffering from cold sores, conjunctivitis, ringworm, sunburn, eczema, any infectious skin condition or open wounds. I may offer hand or arm painting as an alternative at my discretion. Please do not ask to be painted if you are unwell. My decision is final.

Children Under 2
Face paints are not recommended for use on children aged under 2. I regret that due to the restrictions of my insurance, which require that I work in accordance with product manufacturers labelling instructions, I must refuse to paint faces of any child under 2 years. I may offer to paint something on an arm or leg on children under if that child is cooperative.

Consent and Minors
Adult consent is required before any child under 16 years old can be painted.
 
PRIVATE PARTIES - At private parties, it will be deemed to be the responsibility of the client to informparents that face painting will be offered, and to inform me if any child cannot be painted.
 
AUTHORIZATION FOR PUBLIC/CORPORATE EVENTS - If you are booking a face painter for a public/corporate event, you may authorize me to paint unaccompanied children (under 16), or instruct me to paint only children who are accompanied by an adult. If you wish me to paint unaccompanied children, this is done entirely at your own risk. Where no authorization is given, only accompanied children (under 16) will be painted.
 
I do not accept responsibility for any child left unaccompanied. Parents/guardians are deemed responsible for their children’s safety and behavior, and at least one responsible adult must be present in the painting area at all times during private events.
 
Face painting should be fun for all involved. In order to avoid harm and distress, I will only paint children who want to be painted, are able to communicate their wishes, and who are able to sit reasonably still. I will not paint unwilling or distressed children, nor will I paint children who are asleep, regardless of adult wishes.
 
Many artists have experience working with children and adults with disabilities and sensory issues, and I am happy to try to include them in the activity where possible. Parents and Carers of children or adults with special needs should speak to me and I will do my best to accommodate these.
  
General Liability
The client understands that darker face paints will linger and must be removed with mild soap, water and washcloth. Face paints may stain clothing – I do not accept liability if this should occur.
 
I will use reasonable care, but I am not responsible for damage to clothing or property. The Client agrees to pay for any accidents or injuries caused by pets or guests, and/or any damage to my equipment or supplies caused by pets, lawn sprinklers, or guests. Under no circumstances will I supervise children. Their behavior and safety is the Client’s and/or Parents’ responsibility.

Limitations On Subject Matter
I will not paint on any part of the body that is not legal to expose or any place I do not feel comfortable painting. Additionally, I will not paint subjects, words or symbols which I deem to be offensive, or which are inappropriate to the event. 
 
Extreme Adverse Working Conditions
I have the right to cease painting and leave without refunding any monies if there are extreme adverse working conditions and the Client fails to remedy the situation after it has been brought to the Client’s attention. Adverse conditions included but not limited to: destructive, violent, abusive or extreme inappropriate behavior of a child, pet or adult; illegal activities; or otherwise dangerous conditions. I may, at my discretion, refuse to paint any person obviously under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
 
My decision in all matters is final.

Question 9

Removal Tips

Accepted Answer

Regular Water-Based Paints
To remove regular paint from skin, first rinse off as much as possible with warm water, then work up a lather using mild soap or baby shampoo, rinse and repeat as necessary. Vegetable or glycerine soap is best for removing paint. Some colors contain strong pigments and will be harder to remove, especially on very fair or dry skin, but all will come off without staining. Please do not remove paint with baby wipes, as these contain alcohol and astringent cleansers which dry out the skin and may cause a reaction, and oils which can “set” the paint. Make-up cleansers and wipes are not recommended for removing face paint for the same reasons.
To remove paint from clothing rinse well with warm water as soon as possible and treat stain with vegetable soap before laundering as usual.
Glitters should be removed with a damp cloth, taking care to wipe glitter away from the eyes.
Bling or gem clusters can be removed easily by peeling them carefully off of the skin, and can be reapplied if desired using eyelash glue or body tape.

Waterproof Paints
Removal is easy with liquid soap, baby oil, or makeup remover such as Almay wipes -  applied directly.

Question 10

Photographs

Accepted Answer

I may, occasionally, ask permission to take digital photographs of the faces I paint. I may display photographs on this or other face painting websites, on social networking sites, and use them for advertising purposes. I will not photograph any child without adult consent. If I take a photograph of your child, I will be happy to supply you with a copy by e-mail at no charge.

Frequently asked questions