Liquid Latex Bodypaint

Everything you need to know about liquid latex bodypaint.

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What is liquid latex bodypaint? - Liquid latex bodypaint is a fun liquid rubber product.

What is liquid latex bodypaint made from? - The liquid latex is natural rubber tree sap, which is harvested without killing the trees, the other ingredients are a very small amount of ammonia to preserve the liquid latex, water and a water-based dye to give it the jazzy colour. The liquid latex I use contains a cosmetic grade dye, some brands use commercial dyes and there has been questions about how safe they are to use on the skin over time.

What do you use it for? - Liquid latex bodypaint can be used to coat parts of the body, to create fashion outfits, or as an all over body cosmetic to create erotic body art.

What does liquid latex feel like? - When you are applying liquid latex, it feels cold, and the brush can tickle. As it dries the liquid latex bodypaint shrinks about 3%, so you get the wonderful skintight, second skin sensation. It is actually quite warm to wear once it is dry, and if you use shine spray it is sexy to touch.

How do you take liquid latex off? - Quick answer, peel it off, it's all part of the fun!

Does it hurt when you peel it off? - Not if you have followed the how to apply liquid latex instructions.

How do you prepare the skin before using liquid latex? - Personally I always make sure the body part I am going to paint is slinky sexy smooth and hair free, using Nad's No heat hair removal gel, like the latex it is made from natural ingredients, so it doesn't burn and there is nothing to react chemically. People who don't want to remove their body hair, and I mean those little fine ones we all have, should use a light application of body lotion, not too much as the liquid latex will not stick.

Any other preparation needed? - Yes! protect you soft furnishings, in it's liquid state, liquid latex just loves carpets, sofas, bedding, dogs, cats, and once it starts to dry, it's there to stay, you get the picture. Cover things with a sheet or towel that you don't really mind getting messy, some starter kits are supplied with a protective plastic sheet for this purpose. If you want to be really messy, get a big thick plastic sheet and roll around in the liquid latex, yes messy but FUN.

Make sure you have everything you need handy before you start, latex, brush applicators, small brush for detailed painting, sparkle dust, shine spray, hairdryer if you want to speed up the drying time, an extra pair of hands to help and join in, and if you are anything like me, big box of chocolates and a bottle of wine. Take the phone off the hook, or put the answerphone on, you don't really want to be disturbed do you?

How do you do all those fancy shapes and fine details? - Some people are naturally artistic and paint liquid latex master pieces freehand, the rest of us however may need to use some tricks, here are some of mine.

• If I want to paint a shape like the hands above, I use a template, in this case my partners hands. He drew around them then painted in the colour with liquid latex using a cotton bud.

• Use an eyeliner pencil to draw in your shape, it will be covered by the liquid latex, and washes off easily, unlike biro which shows through and felt which doesn't wash off too well.

• Always allow the liquid latex to dry before trying to apply another coat, or you will ruin it and have to start again.

• When applying the latex don't put too much on the brush or it will run, use single continual strokes, not stop start little strokes, this looks terrible when dry.

• Practice, practice, practice !! the more you use it the better you will get.

• For more unusual shapes, try the local DIY store, I have bought reusable stencils from B & Q and got some very good results. You can draw round them as discribed with the hands, or lay them on the skin and use as a traditional stencil, it does take some practice to get just the right amount of liquid latex paint onto your sponge brush, applying a little body lotion to the stencil helps to stop the latex sticking to it and pulling the edges away when you move it.