Party Arty: NYC’s Best Face-Painters

Bookmark this page! You're gonna need one of these NYC face painters sooner or later.

By Rachel Sokol September 16, 2015

Resistance is futile: if you’ve got a kid, at some point in their festive lives, you’re going to have to hire a face-painter. NYC is home to tons of talented folks ready to turn little party animals into a princess, a tiger, a superhero — you name it. And because we live in a creative capital, many have backgrounds in fine art, makeup artistry, performance, etc. (All of the artists featured here use FDA-approved, water-based hypo-allergenic paints, as well as skin-safe glitters.) Click through to see our roundup of NYC’s best face-painters, and note that many come with their own squad for face-painting en masse!

Face Art by Pnina

Pnina Hanoka is a Brooklyn-based mom who, at a Sukkot party, was fascinated by a children’s face-painter. “I can do that,” she thought. Nine years later, her face-painting business finds her working near and far, in Manhattan and the boroughs, as well as Long Island and upstate. “I went from painting tiny hearts and flowers to full-on faces,” she recalls. Hanoka arrives early to events, needs just five minutes to set up, and keeps a well-stocked, clean, and organized paint box. (Her artistic pride and joy —besides her creations, of course.) Glitter tattoos and shiny studs are also available to help adorn her original designs.

Good to know: Indecisive kiddies can choose from a pre-printed list if they’re not sure what to “get.”

Face Art by Pnina
718-753-4283
Online: faceartbypnina.com

photo: courtesy Pnina Hanoka

Cover photo: Face Art by Melissa

Do You Have a Favorite Face-painter in NYC? Share with the group in the comments below!

– Rachel Sokol