Mermaids are pure magic—the shimmer of their tails, the mystery of the ocean, and dreamy colors that enchant everyone. With a few fun face painting techniques, you can transform yourself (or your little one) into a stunning mermaid.
Whether it’s for a kids’ party, a festival, or just an afternoon of creative fun, this mermaid face painting tutorial has you covered. Let’s dive in! 🐚✨
What You’ll Need
- Blue, white, and pink split cake face paint
- White face paint
- Yellow face paint
- Angled flat brush
- Detail brush
- Fish scale stencil
- Petal sponge
- Finger dauber sponge
- Fine glitter & chunky glitter
Step 1: Mermaid Tail Base 🖌️
Load your petal sponge with the split cake colors. Press it from the bridge of the nose up to the forehead in a sweeping tail shape. Tap the same colors on the eyelids for a unified look.
Tip: Lightly blend the edges so colors melt together for a magical, soft effect.
Step 2: Fish Scales 🐟
Place your fish scale stencil on the forehead. Using a finger dauber, dab on white face paint to reveal shimmering scales. Add some along the temples for an ocean-inspired vibe.
Step 3: Tail Details 🎨
With your angled brush and white face paint, outline the tail shape. Then use your detail brush to add swirls, dots, or wave-like strokes. This step makes the design stand out beautifully.
Step 4: Magical Bubbles 💦
Paint small and large circles to mimic bubbles. Outline in white, then shade inside with pink, blue, or yellow for a glowing, underwater look.
Step 5: Sparkle & Shine ✨
Apply fine glitter over the tail and eyelids for a shimmery scale effect. Dab chunky glitter on the cheeks and bridge of the nose for extra sparkle.
Pro Tips
- Layer scales in different areas for depth.
- Use iridescent glitter for color-shifting magic.
- Keep brushes clean for vibrant, crisp colors.
Final Splash 🌊
And that’s it—your mermaid face painting look is ready to wow! Switch up colors or add seashells and starfish for your own ocean-inspired twist.
By @carolines_creativefaces