6 Best Body Paint For Cosplay in 2023 | Reviews + Guide

Paints are the final link between living the character and simply dressing up as one; hence, you should get to work with paints as frequently as you can and put in as much effort as possible! 

To make your life a little bit easier, we now put together a list of some of the best paints and brands that are on offer today.

They all offer the same economical yet vibrant painting experience, though they are all unique in the value that they provide. Without saying more, let’s jump right into the reviews. 

Listed below are the 5 best body paints for cosplay from our list:

• Mehron Face & Body Paint: Offers vibrant, high-quality pigments and shades using safe and soft materials, but comes with a high price tag, which may limit its appeal to those on a budget.
• Snazaroo: Known for its long-lasting wear, this brand provides a great variety of paint shades at affordable prices, catering to a broader audience but may lack the pigment concentration found in some other brands.
• Graftobian ProPaint Kit: This is a standout option for sensitive skin due to its high-quality and safe ingredients, providing great value despite its premium price.
• TAG Face Paint: This reasonably priced set offers vibrant and punchy shades that can be used both for face and body painting, making it a versatile choice for cosplayers.
• Mosaiz Face Paint: As a unique offering of easy-to-apply, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic paint sticks, this product is cost-effective and travel-friendly but may not be sufficient for a full cosplay look.

These body paints have been carefully selected based on their quality, durability, and ease of use. So, whether you're a seasoned cosplayer or a newbie, here's the list of the 6 best body paints for cosplay that will help you create the perfect look for your next event.

1. Mehron Face & Body Paint - Best for Vibrant Colors

If you’re looking for the best in the business - a manufacturer who has known the product long enough that they are a reason for the popularity of face paints today, you’re in the right place. With over 90 years of experience, they’re bastions of the body paint industry.  Their pigments and shades are highly punchy and bright, and the raw materials are par excellence as well. 

Experience

Mehron has been behind countless circus shows, Broadway shows, and theater performances - you name it, Mehron has been a part of it. Their credibility is beyond reproach, and their products still follow the winning formula they’ve been using for decades. This formula uses wonderful, extremely safe, and soft raw materials that can last for hours on the skin easily. 

Coupled with a few sprays of a setting spray, it lasts for hours easily. The only thing that will pinch is the price. These are among the most expensive products on the market, but these will never fail you whether it comes to quality, the softness of paint on your skin, or the safety of paint. 

If you do not consider the price and focus solely on the quality of the product, these are about the best cosplay paints money can buy. 

2. Snazaroo - Best for Long-Lasting Wear

Snazaroo has consistently been placed among the topmost brands when it comes to cosplay and body paints in general. Their face paints have been rated as some of the best on the market today. The reason behind almost universal praise is not belonging to the professional side of the market entirely - they make something for everyone and that too at affordable prices! 

Experience

Snazaroo’s entire range of products is rated as being extremely safe, whether you see if it’s safe for sensitive skin or being approved by the FDA on all major parameters. This, coupled with the value that they bring by getting you around 36 varieties of paint, gets you a fantastic overall experience that is simply unbeatable for the price. 

Whether it’s Overwatch characters, your favorite Anime protagonist, or the superhero you’re cosplaying - these colors are available in a variety of shades, so you have nothing to worry about. The only compromise that comes, is in the form of a little bit less pigment concentration than we generally like to see in face paints - but it’s sufficient for any cosplay convention! 

All in all, Snazaroo has been around on the market long enough to establish itself as a reliable, safe, and reasonably priced body paint brand. 

3. Graftobian ProPaint Kit - Best for Sensitive Skin

If you’re looking for a competitor to the Mehron face painting kit, this is an equally wonderful offering from Graftobian. The pigment quantity and quality are second to none, while the paints last incredibly long compared to most other paints on the market. 

With a wide variety in paint shades and superb quality of paints, the Graftobian is a contender for the top spot among cosplay paints! 

Experience

The quality of the paints on offer is beyond reproach. Besides Mehron, no one else delivers such high-quality ingredients in their paints. They are also FDA-compliant, so you can be sure that your skin will not bear the brunt of poor-quality body paints. You get 12 shades in this set, which can be easily mixed to create new shades as per your specifications. 

These paints are water-based, making them easier to apply and remove from the skin. The paints are manufactured on-site in the USA, so you can forget about lax safety standards. Interestingly, the president of Graftobian provides their phone number on each box - we’ve never seen such commitment to consumer satisfaction in this segment before! 

This kit requires that you can digest the premium it asks for over many others. At the same time, do bear in mind that you’re getting the best experience from a very premium cosplay paint brand. 

4. TAG Face Paint

While not branded as a “body” paint, you can easily apply these TAG face paints while cosplaying all over your body if you wish. These almost escaped our radar, since these paints are not advertised as cosplay paints. However, a number of cosplayers have reported strong results, and the quantity is also sufficient for at least a full body paint of each color. 

Experience

This paint set delivers in terms of safety, quality, and value. This set comes in at around a fifth of the price of Mehron’s individual paints if you consider the per-paint price, though it will last half as much too. The quality of these paints is solid, so you will not face any issues relating to longevity or safety.

Another point that plays out in the favor of the TAG Face Paints is the compactness of these paints - the box measures 10” x 4”, which can easily fit inside any bag, handbag or purse. You can easily carry these around to conventions directly!

Out of the 12 shades that you get, 9 are basic and three are special paint shades that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. Thus, as an unconventional but ultimately economical choice, TAG Face Paints delivers well.

5. Mosaiz Face Paint

Having covered a number of water-based liquid cosplay paints, we now come to paint sticks, a.k.a crayons. These body painting crayons are rated safe, are much easier to apply and remove compared to liquid cosplay plants - and are cheaper too! The only caveat is that finer details are much harder to pull off with paint sticks - all in all, a wonderful combination. 

Experience

These cosplay paints are very useful for getting the details right or providing rudimentary outlines or accents to your cosplay attire. These are incredibly safe and reliable when it comes to paint quality, and are likely to last you multiple cosplaying sessions and events. These paints also come with two metallic shades, which gives them an edge over the others reviewed. 

When it comes to safety, these are hypoallergenic, non-toxic, FDA-approved, and food-grade permitted - which makes this set ideal for those with sensitive skin. These are all around 3” long, which makes them perfect for traveling around with. While these may not be enough for a full cosplaying experience, it’s a must-have in any case. 

6. Ben Nye Magicolor Liquid Paints and Glitters

Ben Nye is perhaps the most popular cosplay supplies brand and for good reasons. These paints easily deliver one of the most well-rounded painting experiences, whether you consider the quality, safety, reliability, long-lasting nature of the paint or the overall value delivered by the paint. 

Experience

Unlike most other brands listed here, Ben Nye products are generally available individually. The paint bottles are available in a number of sizes, and the one-ounce bottle can easily last between 20 to 70 painting sessions depending on your use. With the paint, you can also get their highly-rated range of glitters, which are also every bit as safe and as vibrant. 

Ben Nye makes a number of products that are considered the de facto standard. You can easily get hair paints, face paints, body paints as well as glitters. However, the face and body paints which are available in a huge variety of shades are in a different league entirely. 

With this, we come to the end of our discussion on the top 6 brands and paint kits for cosplaying. However, we now move to an equally important part of cosplay painting which often gets ignored - the extras you need in order to cosplay like a pro. Paints themselves aren’t enough to last you through conventions without nature playing spoilsport. 

What is the Best Body Paint for Cosplay?

This section is dedicated to evaluating and identifying the top-quality body paints specifically tailored for cosplay enthusiasts. The ensuing table meticulously examines crucial attributes including type, palette size, water-resistance, and vegan-friendliness.

Buying Guide for the Best Body Paints For Cosplay

Cosplaying, a beautiful art form where enthusiasts recreate their favorite characters or create entirely new ones, is a craft that requires skill, creativity, and attention to detail. One of the most important aspects of cosplay is body paint, as it adds an extra dimension to the character. In order to make your cosplay truly stand out, it's crucial to choose the right body paint. This buying guide will provide you with the most important factors to consider when purchasing body paint for cosplay.

1. Type of Body Paint

There are several types of body paint available in the market, and it's essential to select the best one for your needs:

• Water-based Paints: These paints are easy to apply, non-toxic, and straightforward to remove. They are best for sensitive skin and provide a matte finish. However, they can be less durable as they may smudge or wear off with sweat.
• Alcohol-based Paints: These paints offer excellent durability, smudge and sweat-proof coverage, and a smooth finish. However, they can be tough to remove and may not suit sensitive skin.
• Cream-based Paints: These provide excellent coverage, blend easily, and have a long-lasting effect. They can sometimes feel heavy and may require touch-ups throughout the day.
• Hybrid Paints: These are a mix of water-based and alcohol-based paints. They offer the advantages of both types with better durability than water-based paints and a more skin-friendly approach than alcohol-based paints.

2. Pigmentation and Coverage

High-quality body paint should provide rich pigmentation and even coverage. Coverage should be consistent and not streak, crack, or fade easily. Always look for reviews and test the product before purchasing to ensure that it provides the desired level of pigmentation.

3. Application Method

Body paint can be applied using different methods such as brushes, sponges, airbrushing, or fingers. Consider the complexity of your character's design and which application method would work best for you.

4. Skin Type and Safety

Consider your skin type when choosing body paint. Alcohol-based paints can be drying, while cream-based paints may clog pores. Additionally, ensure that the paint is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and FDA-approved. A patch test is recommended for those with sensitive skin to check for any adverse reactions.

5. Ease of Removal

While some paints are designed to last all day, they should still be easy to remove after your event. Water-based paints are easiest to remove, while alcohol-based paints may require special removers.

6. Budget

Body paint prices can vary widely, so it's essential to set a budget and strike a balance between quality and affordability. Often, mid-range products provide good quality without breaking the bank.

7. Availability

Make sure that the body paint is widely available, either in-store or online, and factor in shipping time if necessary.

Important Tip

Always perform a patch test with any new body paint to check for possible allergic reactions. Apply a small amount to your skin, let it dry, and wait for at least 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs.

By considering these factors and adhering to the tips provided, you'll be well-equipped to find the perfect body paint for your next cosplay event.

Essential Extras for Cosplay Painting

1. Setting Spray

The Setting Spray is used both before and after the application of paints. It acts just like a second skin, where it protects the paint from chipping and breaking off your own skin. It is generally made using a combination of alcohol and water and is crucial in making the paints stick to all parts of the skin - especially when it comes to the face which is more oily.

A coat of setting spray applied before the paint brings out the best properties of the paint - pigmentation, vibrance, punchiness, etc. If you intend to take lots of pictures and make the paint last as long as possible, you have to get setting spray as well.

You won’t notice its presence so it’s hard to miss - but only until a few hours pass, by when you will really want to have applied a layer before.

2. High-Density Sponge

For the most uniform painting experience, you should also have sponges at hand always. For maintaining evenness and to ensure the paint does not streak, the sponge is the best tool on the market. A word of advice: apply only thin layers as far as possible. This will help your paint stick around for longer times without chipping. Paint around your joints will last much longer this way!

3. Brushes [kabuki/artist-grade paints]

You should be very particular when it comes to brushes. You will need a larger brush (e.g. a kabuki brush) to get the larger details just right - however, you will also need thinner brushes for the finest of details. For this, synthetic artist-grade brushes are the de facto standard. You want to have a number of stroke varieties as well as brush styles at hand for a unique look.

4. Remover [for oil-based paints]

Finally, we come to a particular chemical solution for the oil-paint removal problem. Oil-based paints can be notoriously difficult to remove, and that’s why you must always have a remover at hand (especially for the times when the artist goofs up). The remover can be any of a heavy-duty bar of soap, a waterproof make-up remover, or a strong facewash.

You might notice that we’ve only reviewed water-based products. This is simply because of our personal preference for water-based paints, which are much easier to apply and remove compared to oil paints.

8. Budget

Another important consideration while getting cosplay paints is the budget. If you’re not a professional cosplay artist yet, you’re not expected to have perfectly painted cosplay attires as well - and hence, you should get a set that doesn’t break the bank. Go for the best if you’re a professional - nothing else would suffice.

9. Colors

This can be a deciding factor if you’re confused among equivalent sets of cosplay paint kits. Some kits come only with generic paint shades, while others offer you just the right shade you need to make your character look as realistic as possible. Hence, think about the color first and then the budget.

Remember, an expensive shade which is an approximation is worse than an accurate but cheaper paint shade.

What type of body paint is best for cosplay?

The best type of body paint for cosplay depends on your specific needs and the character you are portraying. Some popular options include water-based face and body paints, alcohol-activated paints, and silicone-based paints.

How do I apply body paint for cosplay?

The application process for body paint can vary depending on your paint type. Generally, starting with clean, dry skin and applying a base layer of paint before adding any details or designs is recommended. You can use brushes, sponges, or airbrushes to apply the paint and seal it with a setting spray or powder.

How do I remove body paint after cosplay?

The best way to remove body paint is to use a gentle cleanser or makeup remover that is safe for use on the skin. You can also use baby oil or coconut oil to help dissolve the paint before washing it with soap and water.

Can body paint cause skin irritation or allergies?

Yes, some people may experience skin irritation or allergies when using body paint. It’s important to test the paint on a small area of skin before applying it to larger areas and to look for hypoallergenic options if you have sensitive skin.

How long does body paint last on the skin?

The longevity of body paint can vary depending on the type of paint used, the application method, and other factors such as sweating or rubbing. Generally, water-based paints may last for several hours while alcohol-activated or silicone-based paints can last for up to 24 hours or longer.

Can I swim or shower while wearing body paint?

Swimming or showering while wearing body paint is not recommended, as water can cause the paint to break down and smear. If you need to remove the paint, it’s best to do so before getting wet.