Face painting is a treatment applied to children's skin at events run by other people. The insurance follows those three facts: a reaction claim, a young client, and an organiser who wants a certificate before you set up.
The claim is a reaction
The realistic claim is an allergic or irritant reaction to paint, glitter or adhesive, sometimes appearing hours later at home. That is harm caused by the treatment, so treatment liability is the section that answers and public liability alone is not enough. Products liability applies where anything is sold or given away. Insurers ask what products are used, and cosmetic grade paints intended for skin, with the ingredient information available, are what they expect to hear.
Children, consent and who is watching
Working with children brings the checks and policies that always accompany it, and face painting adds the specific question of who consents. The practical standard is a parent or guardian present or having consented, a question asked about allergies and skin conditions before the brush goes near a face, and a refusal policy for children who are unwell or too young. Insurers ask about it, and event organisers increasingly do too.
Glitter, gems and the extras
Cosmetic glitter, gems, temporary tattoos, airbrush systems and UV paints each carry their own product and reaction questions, and some are excluded unless declared. Craft glitter is not cosmetic glitter, and using it is the kind of detail that decides a claim about an eye injury. Airbrushing is a separate declared activity for several insurers because of the propellant and the equipment.
Events, schools and hire of your services
Fetes, parties, festivals, shopping centres and schools all ask for a public liability certificate at a stated limit, sometimes weeks ahead. The organiser's own policy covers the organiser, not you. Where a painter works alongside others under one booking, each is a separate business and each needs their own cover, which is the arrangement most likely to be discovered as incomplete on the morning of the event.
Questions people ask about face painting insurance
Is an allergic reaction to face paint covered?
Under treatment liability, provided the activity is declared, cosmetic grade products intended for skin were used and any patch testing conditions were met.
What do event organisers require?
A public liability certificate at a stated limit, often weeks in advance. Their own policy covers the event, not the painter.
Is glitter covered?
Cosmetic glitter used as intended usually is; craft glitter is not a cosmetic product and using it near eyes is the detail that decides a claim.