One papel picado panel with a scalloped edgeAny bright color. A square panel on the cheek, scallops along the bottom, a flower shape of bare skin in the middle.
Bowl of guacamole with three chips in itBrown, green, tan. A bowl on the cheek heaped with green; three triangle chips stand up in it.
VIVA in green and red lettersWhite, green, red. A white sponge patch on the cheek; VIVA in capitals on it, the letters green and red in turn.
5 DE MAYO on a three-color ribbonGreen, white, red, black. A ribbon banner across the cheek in three color parts; 5 DE MAYO in capitals on the white.
Blue-and-white jar with a lidWhite, blue, yellow. A round-bellied jar on the cheek with a small lid, blue scrolls and leaves on it, one yellow band.
Blue-on-white tile with a four-petal flowerWhite, blue. A white square on the cheek with a blue border line, a four-petal flower inside, a leaf in each corner.
Eagle on a cactus, the flag's emblem, on its ownBrown, green, gold. A small eagle with wings half open stands on a green cactus pad on the cheek; no flag around it.
Flag on the cheek with a small eagle in the whiteGreen, white, red, brown. Three upright bands, green on the left as you look; a small brown eagle shape in the white.
Nopal cactus pads with red fruitGreen, red, white. One flat oval cactus pad on the cheek, two smaller pads on top, red fruit on their rims, white dots.
Numeral 5 in green, white and redGreen, white, red. A fat numeral 5 on the cheek: top stroke green, middle white, bowl red, a thin dark outline.
One tile turned on its corner at the templeWhite, blue. A white square standing on one corner at the temple, blue scrolls curling in from its four points.
Paper fan in three color wedgesGreen, white, red. A folded fan shape on the cheek opening toward the ear: three wedges, a color each, green on top.
Row of three tiles along the cheekboneWhite, blue, yellow. Three small white squares in a row, a blue motif in each, a yellow dot at every center.
Star outlined in green with a red center dotGreen, white, red. A five-point star on the cheek outlined in green and filled white, one red dot in its center.
Three-color swirl around one pointGreen, white, red. Three comma shapes curl around one point on the cheek, a color each, like a spinning wheel.
VIVA in green and red lettersWhite, green, red. A white sponge patch on the cheek; VIVA in capitals on it, the letters green and red in turn.
Papel picado, flowers and piñatas 14
Cascarón spilling confettiOne pastel, mixed colors. A decorated eggshell on the cheek, its top cracked off, confetti squares spilling to the ear.
Dahlia with three rings of pointed petalsRed, pink, yellow. A yellow dot center on the cheek, three rings of short pointed petals around it, darkest outside.
One papel picado panel with a scalloped edgeAny bright color. A square panel on the cheek, scallops along the bottom, a flower shape of bare skin in the middle.
Paper flag cut with the numeral 5Any bright color. A bright square on the cheek, scalloped at the bottom, a numeral 5 left as bare skin in the middle.
Paper flag with a bird left bare in the middleAny bright color. A color square on the cheek with a small bird shape left as bare skin in the middle, dots around it.
Piñata hanging from a rope at the templeAny three colors. A rope line drops from the hairline at the temple; a fringed star piñata hangs on the cheekbone.
Piñata split open, candy flyingAny bright colors. A star piñata on the cheek split in two, wrapped candies with twisted ends flying toward the ear.
Star piñata with seven cone pointsAny four colors. A round ball on the cheek with seven cone points, colors in turn, a streamer from every tip.
String of five paper flags across one cheekPink, orange, blue, green, yellow. Five small squares hang from a sagging line, nose side to ear, diamond holes in each.
Three tissue flowers in pink, orange and yellowPink, orange, yellow, green. Three ruffled paper flowers side by side along the cheekbone, a green leaf at each end.
Three wrapped candies from the piñataAny three colors. Three wrapped candies on the cheek, each an oval with a twisted paper end on both sides.
Tissue paper flower of ruffled circlesOne bright color, a darker shade. Three wavy-edged circles one inside the next on the cheek, darker toward the middle.
Two crossing strings of paper flagsAny four colors. Two lines cross at the temple, small paper squares hanging from each, colors in turn.
Two dahlias with a leaf betweenOrange, yellow, green. Two round many-petaled flowers on the cheekbone, one larger, a single green leaf between them.
Music and dance 13
Folk harp with a curved topBrown, yellow. A tall three-sided frame on the cheek, its top edge curved, eight string lines inside.
Full skirt seen from aboveAny three colors. A round skirt from above on the cheek: rings of color around a center dot, the outer edge scalloped.
Guitar on the cheek, neck toward the templeTan, brown, black. A figure-eight body on the cheek, a round sound hole, six string lines up a neck to the temple.
Guitarrón, the big bass guitarBrown, tan. A guitar with a very wide, deep body and a short neck, filling the cheek from jaw to cheekbone.
Pair of maracas, handles crossedAny two bright colors. Two rattles on the cheek, handles crossing, a zigzag band around each round head.
Pair of strapped shoes with square heelsBlack, white or red. A pair of strapped shoes on the cheek seen from the side, heels thick and square, one heel lifted.
Ruffle and ribbon border along the jawAny two colors, white. A band of scalloped ruffles along the jawline with two thin ribbon lines above it.
Ruffled dance skirt with its hem flyingAny three colors, white. A wide wavy hem like an open fan on the cheek, three ribbon bands of color following its curve.
Trumpet with three notes rising from its bellYellow, black. A trumpet on the cheek, three valves on top, bell toward the ear, three notes rising from it.
Two trumpets crossed, bells upYellow, orange. Two trumpets cross in an X on the cheek, both bells pointing up toward the temple.
Vihuela, the small round-backed guitarTan, brown. A small guitar on the cheekbone, shorter than a finger, its rounded back shown as a curve behind it.
Violin with its bow laid across the stringsBrown, tan, black. A small violin on the cheek, its scroll toward the temple, a bow laid across the strings.
Violin, trumpet and guitar side by sideBrown, yellow, tan. Three small instruments in a row on the cheek: a violin, a trumpet and a guitar, no players.
Food 14
Avocado half with its round pitGreen, light green, brown. A pear-shaped half on the cheek, dark green rim, pale inside, a round brown pit.
Bowl of guacamole with three chips in itBrown, green, tan. A bowl on the cheek heaped with green; three triangle chips stand up in it.
Concha: a sweet bun with a shell-striped topTan, pink. A round bun on the cheek; curved stripes fan across its pink top like the ridges of a seashell.
Green and red pepper pair, stems crossedGreen, red. Two curved peppers on the cheek, one green and one red, their stems crossing at the top.
Lime, onion and tomato in the flag's orderGreen, white, red. A green lime, a white onion and a red tomato in a row on the cheek, left to right.
Mole poblano on a white plateDark brown, white, tan. A white plate on the cheek, dark sauce over a rounded shape, a sprinkle of tan dots on top.
Red chili pepper with a green capRed, green, white. One curved pepper on the cheek, a green stem cap, a white shine line along its back.
Smiling tacoTan, green, red, black. A folded taco on the cheek with two dot eyes and a smile on its shell, fillings as dabs on top.
Stack of tortillas with two steam curlsTan, brown. Five thin round tortillas stacked on the cheek, seen from the side, toasted spots, two steam curls above.
Taco with a lime wedge beside itTan, green, red. A folded taco on the cheek and a green lime wedge next to it, white lines on the cut face of the wedge.
Taco with three fillings showingTan, green, red, yellow. A folded tortilla on the cheek, open side up, green, red and yellow dabs along the top.
Tamale with its husk folded backCream, yellow. A corn husk parcel on the cheek, fold lines down it, opened at the top to show the yellow masa inside.
Three conchas: chocolate, vanilla, strawberryBrown, cream, pink, tan. Three round buns in a row along the cheekbone, shell stripes on each top, a color each.
Tortilla chip over a small bowl of salsaTan, red, brown. One triangle chip on the cheek, its lowest point red, above a small brown bowl filled with red.
How it works
These Cinco de Mayo face painting ideas are 54 designs for May 5: 13 in the flag's colors and Puebla's blue tiles, 14 of papel picado, flowers and piñatas, 13 of music and dance, and 14 of food.
Read the full guide
What the day marks, and why there are tiles
Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico's victory over a French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is not Mexico's Independence Day, which is September 16. Puebla is famous for Talavera pottery, much of it painted only in blue on white, so four designs are tiles and a jar, such as Row of three tiles along the cheekbone.
Getting the flag right
Mexico's flag is three upright bands of green, white and red with the coat of arms in the middle of the white: an eagle on a nopal cactus. Flag on the cheek with a small eagle in the white keeps the emblem as one small brown shape.
Questions and answers
What colors do you need for Cinco de Mayo face painting?
Green, white and red cover the flag designs, and blue and white the Puebla tiles. Papel picado and paper flowers take any bright colors. The instruments need brown, tan and yellow.
What is papel picado?
A Mexican folk art: designs cut into sheets of tissue paper, commonly strung together. Birds and flowers are common themes, so Paper flag with a bird left bare in the middle leaves a bird shape as bare skin.
What is Mexico's national flower?
The dahlia, declared Mexico's national flower in 1963. Dahlia with three rings of pointed petals builds one from a yellow dot and rings of short strokes.
What are easy Cinco de Mayo face painting ideas for kids?
The ones that are a single small picture: Star outlined in green with a red center dot, Red chili pepper with a green cap, Smiling taco and Three wrapped candies from the piñata.
What paint do you use for Cinco de Mayo face painting?
Face paint sold for use on skin. When the party is over, the US FDA says not to go to bed with it on: remove it the way the label says, with soap and water or cold cream if the label names those.