What would you pay for face-painting?

[pecanpie]

A talented friend is planning to start a small business face painting for kids parties etc at weekends to supplement her income. She's not sure what to charge - other people range from £50 - £100 for 2 hours. She'd be working in London/Hertfordshire. What would you be prepared to pay?

I'd be prepared to pay no more than 1.50 to have my child's face painted and that's pushing it but I know you're not asking that.

If it were for a party , I guess there'd have to be a large number of kids for her to be there for 2 hours.

Perhaps it should be based on how many kids.

If you only were having 10 kids, then say a £2 a go (pretend they are paying- I know they won't be). Then add on extra for paints and time and travel. Et Voila. Then it's relative to the size of the party rather than one price fits all.

Plus, if there are only 10 kids for example, well , they're only going to have their face done once so it'll be a set time. It'd never take 2 hrs to do 1- kids surely?

Perhaps a shopping centre for a day here and there might be a good idea?

Can she work on how much she'd like to earn an hour - I always guage that I'd pay up to £30 (v. max) an hour plus travelling.

So if she was local - I'd expect to pay £40-£60 for a 2 hour party. Further afield - £70 or £80. Plus she could do 2 (or maybe 3) parties a day if she timed them right.

I would guess that something like face painting - wouldn't be the only outlay for the party mum iykwim - ie she will have to do more entertaining things??

I paid £95 for enjoy a ball - but the guy entertained the kids 100% for almost 2 hours - and he travelled an hour each way. Quite expensive - but the only other outlay was the hall and food.

I guess £100 is a lot - but maybe not for London??

I think £100 is a lot! Thanks both for your feedback - I've suggested that she looks at charging £25-30 per hour depending on how many hours are required and distance to travel.

I had a face painter for my DS party last year and she charged me £90.00 so it worked out about £10 per child. That was for 2 hours.

Hi pecanpie, is your friend available on 29/6? Would she be willing to travel to Hayes? We are having a Tangled (Rapunzel) themed BD party for our 3-year-old daughter. We would love to invite your friend, if she is available. I think flowers, butterflies, smth with glitter for the girls will be so cute. There will be around 8 kids. Please let me know if she is available. Thank you

Sorry, I meant on Sun, 26/6.

I wouldn't pay anything. I know plenty of parents who do it for free, and the rest of them, don't like having their children's faces painted due to sensitive skin/ the hassle it is to wash it off.

Can she do anything else? clown tricks, party games etc?