Reindeer Face Paint: Easy Step-by-Step for Kids
Reindeer is the most requested Christmas face paint design, and for good reason. It suits almost every age, it photographs well next to Santa, and the basic version only needs four colours. This guide walks through a classic reindeer step by step, then covers how to paint antlers that match, how to add soft fur texture with a split cake, and four variations for different ages and time limits.
What You Need
| Item | What to Use | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Prime Teddy Bear Brown | The reindeer base and antlers |
| White | Prime Paraffin White 50g | Muzzle, inner ears, nose highlight |
| Red | Prime Sweet Cherry Red | The round red nose |
| Black | Prime Strong Black | Outlines, lashes and the smile line |
| Split cake (optional) | Furry Critters Split Cake | Soft fur texture in a single brush load (black, brown, apricot and white) |
| Sponge | Petal Sponges 6PK | Even base colour; use a separate sponge for brown and white |
| Brushes | Round 3 and Liner 0 | Antlers and the nose (Round 3), fine outlines and lashes (Liner 0) |
| Glitter (optional) | VIVID GLEAM Glitter Cream, Cardinal | A sparkly red nose |
Classic Reindeer Face Paint, Step by Step
This is the half-face version most painters use at Christmas events. It takes about five to eight minutes with a little practice.
Step 1: Sponge the brown base
Dampen a petal sponge, load it with Teddy Bear Brown and press it over the forehead, temples and outer cheeks. Work in a press-and-lift motion rather than wiping, so the colour goes on evenly. Leave the centre of the face around the nose, mouth and chin bare.
Step 2: Add the white muzzle
With a clean sponge, press white over the upper lip, chin and the inner part of each cheek, overlapping the edge of the brown slightly so the two blend. This lighter centre is what makes the face read as a reindeer rather than a bear or dog.
Step 3: Paint the antlers
Load a Round 3 with brown (or black for more contrast) and paint the antlers up from each eyebrow towards the hairline. The next section covers antlers in detail.
Step 4: Add the ears
Paint a small leaf-shaped ear in brown on the outer side of each antler, near the temple, then add a smaller white or pale pink shape inside each one.
Step 5: Paint the red nose
Paint a round nose over the tip of the natural nose in Sweet Cherry Red. Once it's dry, add a small white dot near the top so it looks shiny.
Step 6: Finish with black detail
With a Liner 0, outline the antlers, add three or four lash flicks at the outer corner of each eye, and paint a thin line from the base of the nose down to the top lip. A small curve at each corner of the mouth gives a friendly smile.
How to Paint Reindeer Antlers
Antlers are the part most people find tricky, usually because the two sides don't match. Painting them in this order helps:
- Mark the starting points. Place a small brown dot above the inner end of each eyebrow, at the same height on both sides. Check them from the front before you go any further.
- Paint the main beam. From each dot, paint one smooth curved line up and slightly outward towards the hairline. Press harder at the base and lift off at the top so the line tapers.
- Add the branches. Add two or three shorter branches off the outer side of each main beam, angled up. Paint the same number of branches on each side.
- Outline once dry. When the brown is dry, trace a thin black line along one edge of each antler with a Liner 0. This adds depth without making the antlers look heavy.
For younger or wriggly kids, keep the antlers short and finish them below the hairline. Paint takes less well on hair, and short antlers are quicker.
Adding Soft Fur Texture
For a more realistic reindeer, swap the flat brown base for fur strokes using a split cake. A split cake is a single cake of face paint with several colours side by side, so one brush load picks up a gradient of shades. Load a flat brush across the Furry Critters split cake so it picks up several shades at once, then paint short flicks that follow the direction fur grows: outward from the nose across the cheeks, and upward on the forehead. Overlap the strokes slightly and keep them short. The mix of shades does the shading for you. Our cat face paint guide uses the same split cake and fur technique if you want more practice.
Reindeer Inspiration From LODIE UP
Elodie Ternois, designer of the LODIE UP collection by Fusion Body Art, paints reindeer in a few different styles. The first design below uses the Furry Critters split cake for every shade of brown, the same fur technique described above. The second is a softer pastel reindeer, painted with colours including her LODIE UP Pastel Rainbow cake.
View this reindeer design by @lodieup.facepainter on Instagram
Reindeer painted with Furry Critters, by Elodie Ternois (@lodieup.facepainter)
Watch the pastel reindeer by @lodieup.facepainter on Instagram
Pastel reindeer by Elodie Ternois (@lodieup.facepainter)
Four Reindeer Variations
Quick cheek reindeer (about 2 minutes)
Paint a small round brown reindeer face on one cheek, add two little branching antlers above it, a red dot nose and two black dot eyes. It's ideal for long queues and children who won't sit still for a half-face design.
Pretty reindeer with a holly crown
Paint the classic reindeer, then add a row of green holly leaves and red berries across the forehead between the antlers. Longer black lashes and a touch of Golden Rays glitter cream on the antlers finish the look.
Pastel reindeer
For a softer look, swap the brown base for pastel colours. Elodie's version above uses her LODIE UP Pastel Rainbow cake with a little brown for the detail work.
Glitter-nose reindeer
Paint the classic design, then cover the dry red nose with red glitter cream for extra sparkle. Glitter cream isn't for use around the eyes, so keep it to the nose and cheeks, and only use it on children old enough not to rub it into their eyes.
Tips for Busy Christmas Events
- Pre-load two sponges, one brown and one white, before the queue starts.
- Offer two sizes: the quick cheek reindeer and the classic half face. Let parents choose based on how long the queue is.
- Paint in the shade on hot days. Australian Christmas events are often outdoors in summer, and paint dries more evenly out of direct sun.
- Keep antlers below the hairline when it's very hot. Sweat at the hairline softens water-activated paint first.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Antlers don't match | Each side started at a different height | Mark both starting dots first and check them from the front before painting the beams |
| Face looks like a bear or dog | No white muzzle, or ears placed too high | Add the lighter muzzle and keep the ears beside the antlers at the temples |
| Brown base looks patchy | Sponge too dry, or wiped across the skin | Reload the sponge and press and lift |
| Red nose looks flat | No highlight | Add a small white dot near the top of the nose once the red is dry |
| Black outlines look heavy | Brush overloaded or outlining every edge | Use a Liner 0 with less paint and outline one side of each shape only |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you paint a reindeer face step by step?
Sponge brown over the forehead and outer cheeks, add a white muzzle, paint antlers up from each eyebrow, add ears beside them, paint a round red nose with a white highlight, then outline in black and add lashes.
How do you paint reindeer antlers?
Mark a starting dot above each eyebrow at the same height, paint one curved main beam up from each dot, add two or three short branches on the outer side, then outline one edge in black once dry.
What colours do you need for reindeer face paint?
Brown, white, red and black. A split cake with several fur shades is a useful extra for a more realistic texture.
How long does reindeer face paint take?
A quick cheek reindeer takes about two minutes. The classic half-face version takes about five to eight minutes once you've practised it.
Is reindeer face paint suitable for young kids?
Yes, for children aged 3 and up. For younger or wriggly kids, the quick cheek version or short antlers keep painting time down.
How do you remove reindeer face paint?
Work a little liquid soap into the paint, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. See our guide to removing face paint without irritating skin for more tips.
Shop Reindeer Face Paint
All Fusion Body Art face paints are water-activated, vegan, cruelty-free, and suitable for ages 3+. Available with worldwide shipping:
The reindeer base and antlers
Fur texture in one brush load
The red nose
Muzzle and highlights
Related guides: Christmas Face Paint Ideas · Dog Face Paint · Cat Face Paint · How to Load a Face Paint Brush and Sponge
