Kids love dressing up, especially when they get to become their favorite animals. One of the most popular choices for face painting and costumes is the cat.
Whether it’s for Halloween, a birthday party, or a school event, learning how to do cat makeup for kids can help you create magical moments. The good news?
You don’t need to be a professional artist to pull this off. With a little practice and the right tools, you can give your child the perfect feline look.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to do cat makeup for kids step-by-step using simple words, safe products, and easy techniques. Let’s get in!
Why Kids Love Cat Makeup
Before we get into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Cats are playful, cute, and mysterious, everything kids love. Cat makeup allows children to feel creative and playful. It’s also a simple animal look that doesn’t require a lot of time or complicated tools. You can go for a simple kitty face or jazz it up with glitter and colors. Either way, it’s always a hit!
List Of Tools and Products For Kids Makeup
- Face Paint or Makeup Crayons (Non-toxic, hypoallergenic)
- Makeup Brushes (Small, soft brushes for details)
- Black Eyeliner or Face Pencil (For whiskers and outlines)
- White Face Paint or Makeup Crayon (For highlights)
- Pink Face Paint or Lipstick (For nose and ears)
- Setting Spray or Powder (Optional, for longer wear)
- Face Wipes or Makeup Remover (For clean-up)
Step-by-Step: How To Do Cat Makeup For Kids
Step 1: Prepare the Face
Start with a clean, dry face. Gently wash your child’s face and pat it dry. If your child has sensitive skin, apply a light layer of moisturizer. This helps protect their skin and makes makeup removal easier later.
Step 2: Create the Base (Optional)
For a full-face cat look, apply a light base color. This can be white, gray, or even light orange depending on the type of cat look you want. Use a sponge or your fingers to gently dab the paint all over the face. This step is optional if you’re going for a simpler look.
Step 3: Draw the Nose
Take your pink face paint or lipstick and draw a small triangle on the tip of your child’s nose. Color it in completely. You can also use black paint if your child wants to be a black cat.
Step 4: Add the Whiskers
Using a black eyeliner or face pencil, draw three straight lines on each cheek, starting from the nose area and going outward. These are the whiskers and are essential for the cat look.
Step 5: Outline the Nose to Mouth
Draw a line from the bottom of the nose down to the upper lip. Then draw a curved line on each side of the top lip to create the mouth shape. Color in the top lip with black or pink, depending on the style.
Step 6: Cat Eyes
Cats are known for their beautiful eyes. Use black eyeliner or face paint to draw a small winged line at the edge of each eye to give a “cat-eye” look. You can also line the bottom of the eyes lightly. For extra flair, add some white dots above the eyebrows or glitter around the eyes.
Step 7: Add the Ears (Optional)
Using your pink and black face paint, draw triangular ears on the top sides of the forehead. First draw the outer black triangle, then fill in the inside with pink. If you have a cat ear headband, you can skip this and use the real headband instead.
Step 8: Add Final Touches
Let your child look in the mirror and see if they want to add anything more. Some kids love glitter, stickers, or even colorful whiskers. Once you’re happy with the look, you can spray a makeup setting spray to make it last longer, especially if they’ll be running around.
Different Cat Makeup Ideas for Kids
There’s more than one way to create a cat look. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
1. Classic Black Cat
- Base: No base or light gray
- Nose: Black
- Whiskers: Black
- Eyes: Bold cat-eye eyeliner
- Accessories: Black costume, tail, and ears
2. Cute Pink Kitty
- Base: White or light pink
- Nose: Pink
- Whiskers: Pink or glittery
- Eyes: Soft pink or purple shadows
- Accessories: Pink tutu, sparkly ears
3. Tiger Cat
- Base: Orange
- Nose: Black
- Whiskers: Black
- Eyes: Fierce lines and stripes
- Extras: Add black tiger stripes on cheeks and forehead
4. Fancy Glitter Cat
- Base: Light silver or white
- Nose: Glitter pink
- Whiskers: Silver glitter
- Eyes: Glittery eyeshadow
- Extras: Stick-on jewels, shiny headband
Let your child help pick their favorite style!
Safety Tips for Kid’s Face Makeup
- Always do a patch test to check for allergies.
- Use child-safe, non-toxic makeup brands.
- Avoid using makeup too close to the eyes or mouth.
- Don’t keep makeup on for too long—remove it as soon as the event is over.
- Teach your child not to rub their face to avoid smudging.
How To Remove Cat Makeup Safely
After the fun, it’s time to clean up. Here’s how to remove the makeup easily:
- Use a gentle face wipe or makeup remover.
- Wash the face with warm water and mild soap.
- Pat dry and apply moisturizer to keep the skin soft.
FAQs
How long does cat makeup for kids take to do?
It usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how detailed you want the look to be.
Can I use regular makeup instead of face paint?
Yes, but make sure it’s safe for kids and not heavy or oily. Face paints designed for children are often better.
Is cat makeup safe for toddlers?
Yes, if you use hypoallergenic, non-toxic products and avoid the eyes and mouth. Always supervise and remove makeup right after the event.
What if my child has sensitive skin?
Look for all-natural or hypoallergenic face paints. You can also skip the base and just do minimal designs.
Conclusion
Learning how to do cat makeup for kids can be a fun and creative activity for both you and your child. Whether it’s for a party, playtime, or just for fun, turning your little one into an adorable kitten is easier than you think.