Tools of the trade

Part of my job is face painting kids. I am known for my face painting abilities. I know my craft well and quite frankly, I rock. My face painting kit is extensive. I have a LOT of stuff and I use it all. I purchased my first professional quality kit over 12 years ago. As one color would run out I would buy another container. As brushes or other accessories would wear out they were replaced. Once you buy a kit like that you don't replace it all at once, but rather piecemeal. Every single element of my kit has been replaced, little by little over the years, including the case itself. The cases take a beating and thus need replacing every year or so. In addition, I've added to it over the years. The kit I now own is for a much more advanced face painter, which is what I now need.

I love my kit. Over the years I've tried smaller palettes as well as bigger kits, like the one I'm now using. I love the idea of having a tiny palette which offers a great deal of freedom. But realistically that just doesn't cut it for me. It's not practical for the amount and style of face painting I do. I do keep a palette in a ziplock bag in my car, in case of emergency. I actually had to use it about a year and a half ago. I pulled up to a birthday party and almost panicked when I realized I left my regular kit at home. That backup palette saved the day! Though that was actually the only time I needed it "in case of emergency" I am now afraid to remove it from my car.

Because I've added things to it over the years, I had no idea what the retail value of a new kit with comparable items would be worth. So this evening, out of curiosity, I tallied everything up. Holy macaroni! My kit is worth $450-$500.