Makeup has been used around the world for thousands of years. Although it comes in many different varieties, perhaps the type of makeup that has been used most widely through the ages is face paint. A wide range of people in different geographical locations have used it, their reasons for doing so varying greatly depending on their culture and beliefs. Today, although there are still several parts of the world where face paint is used traditionally by the people who live there, face paint has many other applications. It can be found anywhere from children’s birthday parties, to special festivals, to backstage during performances of some of the most acclaimed musicals in the world.
Traditional Usage Of Face Paint
Indigenous people in nearly every part of the globe have used face paint for various reasons. As part of ceremonies and festivals, of course, dramatic face paint is a great way to create the desired effect and help to tell a story. Just like song and dance, intricate face paint is a way for the wearer to express himself and capture the attention and emotions of those who are watching him. Besides artistic expression and important functions in religious ceremonies, tribal people have also used face paint to camouflage themselves when hunting, as well as to terrify their enemies in battle.
Modern Day Uses Of Face Paint
-Traditional Applications – There are still many cultures around the world who continue to use their time-honored facial painting techniques. Doing this helps them to carry on their beloved and important traditions, celebrating their heritage and the ways of their ancestors.
-Festivals – At many festivals, face painting is a major way for people to “get into the spirit of things”. Special sporting events and holidays such as Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, the Fourth of July and especially Halloween are good excuses for people to get their faces dramatically and creatively painted.
-Kids’ Face Painting – Kids love to have their faces painted with a small flower, rainbow, smiley face, whiskers, or more! Face painters for kids can be found at birthday parties, school events and carnivals.
-Stage Makeup – Stage productions call for dramatic makeup that can be easily seen by the audience. Sometimes, face paint is used to transform the actors into different characters. If you have ever been to a production of The Phantom of the Opera or Cats, then you have seen a couple of striking examples of detailed and realistic theatrical face painting.
