Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning an event or creative project and want to know more about working with Maria Monsters?
This FAQ covers everything clients typically ask — from pricing and booking to safety, travel, and what to expect at your event. It also answers the most searched questions online about face painting, creative makeup, and custom artwork in Pittsburgh.
If you’re looking for a professional, clean, reliable, and high-quality experience, you’ll find everything you need to know right here.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What areas do you serve?
I serve Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, generally within a 1-hour driving radius. I am happy to travel farther for events — extended travel fees may apply based on distance and location.
For events outside this radius, I gladly accept paid travel gigs. Extended travel may include fees for mileage, lodging (if necessary), or travel time, depending on distance and the nature of your event.
This makes me ideal for clients needing a reliable, professional makeup artist for:
Out-of-town concert venues
Destination weddings
Film/TV locations
Touring performers
Regional festivals & productions
Multi-day events or shoots
If you’re unsure whether your location qualifies, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to discuss travel options and create a custom quote.
Are you insured and certified?
Yes. I carry full liability insurance and maintain professional certifications — including Barbicide Sanitation Certification, which ensures that all tools, surfaces, and products meet strict industry hygiene standards.
I also use cosmetic-grade, hypoallergenic paints and follow rigorous safety practices for both children and adults.
What types of events do you work?
I work a wide variety of events, including:
Birthday parties
Corporate events
Concerts and performances
Weddings and receptions
Festivals & community events
Photoshoots
Film/TV projects
Private creative appointments
Adult parties & themed events
Do you paint adults?
Absolutely! My face art is elevated, modern, and designed for both adults and kids. I offer wedding face art, festival glam, party looks, and themed designs for grown-up events.
Do you paint children under 2?
For safety and skin sensitivity reasons, I do not paint children under 2 years old. Hand/arm designs may be available for very young guests upon request.
BOOKING & POLICIES
Is there a deposit required to book?
To secure your event date, a $50 deposit is required once your booking is confirmed. This deposit holds your time slot exclusively for you, ensures I can prepare materials for your event, and prevents double-booking.
How it works:
You inquire about your event date.
I confirm availability and gather event details.
You receive a payment link for the $50 deposit.
Once paid, your booking is officially reserved and added to my calendar.
The deposit is applied toward your final total, which is due the day of the event.
Accepted Payment Methods:
Zelle
Venmo
Cash App
Cash (Cash is king!)
Why a deposit is required:
It guarantees your date and prevents double-booking
It covers prep time and supplies for your event
It allows me to commit fully to your booking
It is standard practice for professional event artists
Deposits are non-refundable, but may be transferable to a new date if rescheduling is needed and my calendar allows.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged the remaining balance.
This policy ensures I can offer your time slot to another client, prepare materials appropriately, and honor the time set aside for your event.
Rescheduling may be available depending on my calendar.
What is your minimum booking time?
Face Painting: 2-hour minimum
Creative Makeup: No time minimum; session length depends on the look
What forms of payment do you accept?
I offer several convenient payment options to make booking and checkout easy:
Payment Options:
Zelle
Venmo
Cash App
Cash is always welcome — and preferred when possible!
FACE PAINTING QUESTIONS
How much does face painting cost?
Private Parties: $150 per hour, 2 hours minimum
Weddings & High-Volume Events: $200 per hour, 2 hours minimum
Public Community Events: $10 per face (public events only)
How many faces can you paint in an hour?
Depending on the complexity of the designs:
Quick designs: 10-15 per hour
Standard designs: 10–12 per hour
Detailed designs: 6–8 per hour
This allows me to tailor the menu to your guest count.
Can you match my event theme?
Yes! I offer custom, event-specific face paint menus for a flat $100 design fee.
Menus can be themed for weddings, brand activations, kids’ parties, holidays, corporate branding, and more.
Do you bring your own setup?
Yes. I bring my own sanitized table, chair, lighting, products, and all supplies needed for a professional setup.
Are your face paints safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. I use high-quality, cosmetic-grade, hypoallergenic paints that are safe for children and adults. All products wash off easily with soap and water.
Can you do large events with high volume?
Absolutely. I am trained to work efficiently and cleanly at large-scale events.
Additional artists may be available upon request.
CREATIVE MAKEUP & AIRBRUSH QUESTIONS
What types of creative makeup do you offer?
Cinematic horror-inspired looks
Character + creature design
Editorial glam
Airbrush beauty
Fantasy and avant-garde looks
Performance makeup for concerts, drag, and dancers
Skeleton, demon, zombie, or creature designs
Wedding creative glam
Photoshoot & film makeup
Halloween or themed event looks
Do you travel on-site for creative makeup?
Yes! I am available for on-site creative makeup appointments throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. I travel up to 1 hour from Pittsburgh at no additional cost, making it easy to book me for concerts, weddings, performances, photoshoots, film sets, and private events.
For events outside this radius, I gladly accept paid travel gigs. Extended travel may include fees for mileage, lodging (if necessary), or travel time, depending on distance and the nature of your event.
This makes me ideal for clients needing a reliable, professional makeup artist for:
Out-of-town concert venues
Destination weddings
Film/TV locations
Touring performers
Regional festivals & productions
Multi-day events or shoots
If you’re unsure whether your location qualifies, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to discuss travel options and create a custom quote.
What makeup products do you use?
For Creative Airbrush Makeup, I use professional performance-grade paints including:
ProAiir Hybrid
Mehron Paradise AQ Paints
EBA Performance Makeup
These formulas are designed for:
Heat resistance
Sweat resistance
Long wear
Outdoor conditions
Stage lighting
Full-day or all-night durability
Alcohol-based hybrid paints are safe when applied properly and create a flawless, water-resistant finish ideal for performers and long events.
How long does creative makeup take?
Most creative looks take 45–90 minutes, depending on detail.
More complex cinematic looks may require 2+ hours.
Do you offer horror/SFX looks?
Yes — horror-inspired realism is one of my specialties.
I can create textured, dimensional, high-impact looks perfect for film, performance, or themed events.
CUSTOM ART & PAINTED CREATIONS
Do you offer custom canvas or mural work?
Yes! I create:
Murals
Canvas paintings
Hand-painted party banners
Custom signs
Announcement banners
Decorative art pieces
Small-business signage
Fan art
Specialty projects
These are priced individually based on size and complexity.
Do you ship custom artwork?
Depending on the piece, shipping may be available. Local pickup is always an option.
EVENT & LOGISTICS QUESTIONS
Can you work outdoors?
Yes, as long as there is adequate shade or a tent. I can bring my own table and chair setup.
How far in advance should I book?
For weekends, large events, weddings, and holidays, booking 2–8 weeks in advance is recommended.
For October and summer, availability fills quickly.
Do you take photos of clients?
Yes — with permission. I love capturing final looks for my portfolio and social media, as it helps future clients see real examples of my work. Before taking or sharing any photos, I will always confirm that you (or your child’s guardian) are comfortable with images being used on my website, Instagram, Facebook, or other promotional materials.
Social Media Disclaimer
Your privacy matters.
Photos are never posted without consent, and you can opt out at any time — no questions asked. If you prefer to keep your images private, simply let me know and I’ll happily honor that.
For children, I will only share photos with direct parental/guardian approval, and I will never include names, school information, locations, or identifying details.