If you have been to any fair, carnival or sporting event you have probably seen the most used form of body painting – face paint. Face painting dates back centuries where it was used for either camouflage while hunting, religious reasons or marking military units and membership.

Body painting comes from ancient tribal cultures who originally painted with clay and naturally found pigments for ceremonious acts. This original ancient art form still survives today amongst the indigenous people of Australia, the Pacific Island and parts of Africa.

Mehndi is used in India and the Middle east using dyes made from henna – generally used on brides for their wedding ceremony. Annatto, wet charcoal or huito is used to decorate the faces and body on the indigenous people of South America

From these ancient tribal forms and through different cultural variations no one has done it better than the Western society. Starting in the 1960’s with the liberalization of social norms regarding nudity women have been able to wear body paint with pride. It has been made popular with countless spreads from Playboy, Maxim, Sports Illustrated and just about any other magazine publication that is still around today.

Just imagine a time when women will be able to suit up in body paint to do her local grocery shopping, attend barbecues and whatever other activity they see fit. Of course we will have to come up with some type of regulatory board that gives the “Okay” on a case-by-case basis. We don’t want just any female to be able to do this. Men will also need the introduction of designer Super Soaker’s. Hell, we still have standards and need to accessorize correctly. Right?

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