Tiger makeup for beginners: step-by-step tutorial

Looking for an easy way to paint a tiger face for a children's party, carnival, or costume party? You've come to the right place! This tutorial will teach you step-by-step how to apply tiger face paint , even if you've never done it before. This tiger face paint is suitable for both children and adults, and you don't need any professional face painting experience.

🎨 What do you need to paint a tiger?

Before we begin, it's important to have the right materials on hand. For this tiger makeup tutorial, you'll need:

• White makeup

• Orange face paint (or yellow if you want a lighter tiger)

• Black makeup

• Sponge

• Makeup brushes (thin and medium)

• Optional: glitter or fixing spray

Tip: Use water-based makeup – it's skin-friendly and easy to wash off.

Preparation: Cleanse face and let it dry

Make sure the person's face is clean and dry. If necessary, use a soft, damp cloth to remove any dirt or makeup residue. Then let the face dry thoroughly before applying makeup.

🐾 Step 1: Apply base color (orange)

Use a sponge and apply orange face paint all over your face. Avoid the eyelids and the area around your mouth – the white will be there later.

Apply in light, dabbing motions, ensuring even coverage. This base color creates the signature tiger look.

🧼 Step 2: Add white accents

Now take a clean sponge or brush and apply white face paint to the following areas:

• Around the eyes (above and below)

• On the upper lip and chin

• Under the nose

• Optionally, a line on the forehead for extra depth

The white areas create contrast and make the face appear more vibrant. Make sure the white and orange blend smoothly – use your fingers or a clean sponge to blend lightly.

🖌️ Step 3: Draw black stripes

Tigers are, of course, known for their black stripes . Use a thin brush and black face paint to apply the stripes:

• From the hairline inwards towards the forehead (3 to 5 lines)

• From the sides of the face to the cheeks

• A few short lines above and below the eyes

• Possibly a line on the bridge of the nose

Make sure the stripes curl inward slightly for a natural look. Start thin and build up—you can always add more, but too much quickly becomes messy.

🐯 Step 4: Tiger Nose and Whiskers

Time for the details!

1. Nose : Color the tip of the nose black with a brush.

2. Whiskers : Draw three fine whiskers extending outward from either side of the upper lip.

3. Mouth line : Draw a line in black from the nose to the upper lip and outline the upper lip itself.

This immediately makes the tiger look a lot more realistic!

✨ Step 5: Add extras (optional)

Want to make the makeup stand out even more? Add some finishing touches:

• Glitter on the cheeks or around the eyes (use safe children's glitter)

• Eyelashes with a little black makeup for expression

• Fixing spray to make the makeup last longer

🧽 Remove makeup

Tigers don't last forever, of course! Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water or a mild cleansing lotion to remove the makeup. Water-based makeup usually comes off easily without scrubbing.

🧡 Tips for beginners

• Practice on paper or your own hand first

• Use quality makeup for the best results

• Have children sit upright and relax during face painting

• Work from light to dark (first white/orange, then black)

📷 Tiger face painting? Share your creation!

Have you painted someone as a tiger? Take a fun picture and share it on social media! Use the hashtag #paint-a-boo or tag us @paintaboo.nl – we'd love to see your creations.