Face Painting

Throughout recorded History references to Face Painting can be found, from the Phoenicians through the Native American People of North America. Various cultures used Face Painting in different ways and for different purposes. A primitive form of Face Painting was camouflage, used by hunters to blend into their surroundings, catching their prey off guard. The recorded History of such People as the Babylonians, Mayans, and ancient Egyptians give us clues as to the various metamorphosis that Face Painting took through the centuries. Some Face Painting was ritualistic, some for hunting and still others for beautification. Crude Face Painting was accomplished with mud, progressing into plant dyes and colored rock dust mixed with animal fat to create an early form of "Grease Paint" Makeup. Warriors used Face Painting not only as a camouflage but also as a symbolic gesture for the blessings of the gods that they may have a successful hunt.

References to using colors on the face to enhance beauty can be found in the Phoenician history along with the Bible, Egyptian written history and archaeological relics. Face Painting seems to be an innate human endeavor, the human race has used Face Painting for celebrations, survival needs, religious ceremonies and theatrical pursuits. Ancient Chinese historical references tell us that the Chinese used Theatrical Makeup, actually a crude form of Face Painting, as far back as the Ming Dynasty.

The Soldier used Face Painting, camouflage as a survival tool, and those that became practiced at the art of applying camouflage were able to blend into their surroundings and avoid the enemy. In 2009, Army training teaches even the modern technologically enhanced Soldier the art of camouflage.

In the early 1980's Face Painting as a celebratory art form started a revival that is now in full bloom over 30 years later. Today's Face Painting Artists have a selection of Face Painting Makeup Products in an extraordinary amount of colors and textures, which enable their Artistic Visions to grow year after year as new colors and Face Painting Makeup mediums are introduced. At the beginning of the Face Painting Renaissance in the early 1980's, Theatrical Makeup was the medium of choice. The new Wave of Face Painting with its intricate styles, designs and cried out for a Makeup just for the Art of face Painting.

In 1980, Mehron, Leaders in Theatrical Makeup since 1927, were already celebrating a half of century serving the needs of Performers in all venues with Professional Makeup. With the turn of the new Century, Face Painting has been taken to new Heights by Face Painting Artist who applied their talents to the living canvas of the face. Makeup Artist Jinny Houle, nicknamed, "The First Lady of Face Painting" in collaboration with Mehron developed a water activated cake Face Painting Makeup collection in a ultra modern selection of colors, Paradise Makeup AQ. Neither Jinny Houle nor Mehron rested on their laurels after creating a Face Painting Makeup called Paradise Makeup AQ. The Paradise Makeup AQ Collection of safe, quality Face Painting Makeup continues to expand its color selection and complimentry products to be used in the creation of Face Painting Makeup Masterpieces.

In 2009, after centuries of human Face Painting experimentation, it is now a living art. Practiced at Festivals, Celebrations and Competitions, Face Painting in 2009 is on the cusp of becoming an Art Form that will be as revered as Art on Canvas. Face Painting, although a temporal Art, can be captured and saved through the art of photography, catalogued and displayed long after the living art work has faded away. One need only to look at the Face Painting Art presented at International Competitions featuring the Art of World Renowned Face Painting Artists to understand that Face Painting as an Art form is in its infancy, that is about to grow into a mature and recognized art form that reflects the instantaneous, and spontaneity of the human experience in the 21st Century. An Art that is painstakingly long to create is only meant to be a temporary art to be enjoyed as long as the Makeup can last.

Face Painting Artists that use Mehron Face Painting Makeup, whose crown jewel is the Paradise Makeup AQ Collection are able to create an art that is more vivid, has more consistent color concentration and will last as long as the model cares to wear it, yet just as the Art of Face Painting was meant to be, it is easily washed away with soap and water.