One of the most anticipated, well-received and talked about magazine covers of 2011 was Kate Moss’ Vogue Paris cover where she was covered in face paint and made up to look like David Bowie, and these face paint editorials demonstrate why the transforming abilities of this makeup are so intriguing.
Whether a fashion shoot is going for a tribal look and uses face paint to achieve that aesthetic, or super creative artists create moving face paintings and body art in motion, these face paint editorials are sure to blow your mind.
Sometimes face paint editorials can take a wrong turn and raise issues of racism and insensitivity. Whatever your take on these shoots may be, there’s no denying the fascinating nature of face paint.
50 Fierce Face Paint Features
50
Harlequin Models
Vogue UK Raquel Zimmermann November Issue Clowns Around in Elegance
49
Bizarre Eyebrow Tattoos
10 Permanent Eyesores
48
Modern Tribal Looks
'Tribes' by Rene Habermacher Brings Traditional Style to the Gritty Streets
47
‘Star Wars' Body Paint
Nerdy Paint-On Costumes Turn Your Skin Into a Sci-Fi Art Canvas
46
Forest-Inspired Frocks
Faint Magazine Displays Hippy and Free Spirited Fashion
45
Extreme Face Painting
Leaving no Patch Unpainted
44
Camouflage Body Painting
Body Art as a Disguise
43
Boy George Runway Makeup
80's Face Paint is Back in Fashion, and It's Bad
42
Superhero-Saturated Portraits
JKB Fletcher's 'Hero Face' Series Reinvents Old Images with Paint
41
Patriotic Body Painting
Wearing Your Flag With Pride
40
Monochrome Makeup
'Future Beauty' in Vogue UK Showcases Athletic-Inspired Face Paint
39
Face Paint Photography
'Wunderlust' from Peter Tjahjadi Features Funky, Bejeweled Faces
38
Freaky Black-Out Fashion Shoots
The Missy Rayder L'Officiel Paris October 2011 Shots are Striking
37
Ferocious Makeup
'The Kids Are Alright' Russh Magazine August 2010 Spread
36
Denim-Legged Shirts
The i-D Summer 2011 Issue Features Behati Prinsloo With Quirky "Overalls"
35
Big Mouth Hamburger Ads
The Jaw-Dropping PampaVerde Extra Big Burger Print
34
Eccentrically Androgynous Editorials
The 'Star Man' Shoot by Krzysztof Wyzynski Stars Greg Narwat
33
Contemporary Tribal Renderings
David Gómez Maestre Invites You to His Tribe
32
Badass Backyard Shoots
The Boneyard Misfits Editorial Features Eclectic Wardrobe Selects
31
Extreme Tribal Fashiontography
Herring & Herring for D Mode Magazine
30
Futuristic Tribal Shoots
The Silvia Bratanova Crystal Blood Captures are Sleek
29
Wicked Fairytale Makeovers
This Queen of Hearts Makeup Tutorial is Tim Burton-Inspired
28
Pasty-Face Paintings
Jacques Marcotte Illustrates Perplexing Ghostly Characters
27
Desert Floor Face Masks
Sierra Nevada Brings High Fashion to Dunes and Fields
26
Soft Playful Photoshoots
The Clowning Around Series is Full of Color and Emotion
25
Full Face Painting
Oxfam and Celebs Rock Vibrant Blue Skin for Charity
24
Tearful Face Paintings
Michelle Samuels' 'Painted Faces' is Emotionally-Charged
23
Face Paint Controversies
The Beyonce L'Officiel's March Issue Photo Shoot is Buzzing
22
Haunted Tribal Fashion
Supreme Models' Showpackage for S/S 2010 is Eerie
21
Fluorescent Face Paint
The Adriana Gerasimova 'Crossroads' Shoot is Native-Inspired
20
Face Graffiti Lookbooks
The Christopher Shannon KIDDA Spring/Summer Collection Is Artful
19
Chimerical Cardboard Crowns
The Whimsical Stuart McLachlan Children's Paper Styling Hats
18
Black-Faced Photography
The 'One Day There Will Be A Place For Us' Photos are Monochromatic
17
Adults Playing Dress Up
Vivienne Westwood Gets Odd For Fall 2008
16
Fabulous Floral Headpieces
The Alexis Mabille Spring 2012 Haute Couture Collection is Rainbow Chic
15
Counter Culture Cosmetics
Street Face Paint
14
Hipster Tribal Editorials
The Victoire Magazine Over Spread is Vibrantly Eccentric and Eclectic
13
Paint-On Ethnicity
Lagerfeld Endorses ‘Yellow Face' for Chanel Pre-Fall 2010 Shanghai
12
Illusionary Face Paintings
James Kuhn Adultizes a Childhood Pastime in His Artwork
11
Moving Face Paintings
Body Art in Motion
10
Couture Mime Editorials
The Vogue Italia January 2012 Photo Shoot Features Fully Painted Faces
9
Dramatic Animated Cosmetics
The DEW Magazine ‘Maganda' Issue Gets Sizzling Face Paints
8
Mad Lady Pictorials
The Ones2Watch 'Le Fous' Fashion Editorial by Axl Jansen
7
Face Paint Warrior Spreads
The 'Stare a Bit' Lookbook is Artistically Composed
6
Colorfully Masked Collections
The Petrou Man Fall/Winter 2011 Lookbook is Trippy and Tribal
5
Blue-Faced Fashiontography
Niels Raabe by Markus Lambert Editorial Turns Elizabethans Indigo
4
Future Finding Fashion Spreads
The Renato and Ed Moment Magazine Shoot is Fashion Forward
3
SPF Face Paint
Zinka Colored Nosecoat Protects You From the Sun in Style
2
Psychedelic Supermodel Transformations
The Kate Moss Vogue Paris December/January Cover is Rocking
1
Superhero Motion Face Paint
Batman & Robin Come To Life
Related Ideas
80 Androgynous Fashion Shoots
From Boyish Beauty Spreads to Gender-Bending Elvis Editorials
Gender-Bending Editorials
This Stunning Andrej Pejic Block Magazine Spread Redefines Beauty
Psychedelic Cosmetics Spreads
The Beauty Photography of Robert Jaso has a Face of Fantasy
Haute Hippie Shoots
The Vogue Australia February 2012 Issue is Stunning
Modernized Boho Ensembles
The Jalouse France March 2011 Editorial by Paul Schmidt is Sizzling Hot
Bathetically Boho Looks
Model Aline Weber for Free People March 2011 Lookbook Boasts Classic Boho
Androgynous Menswear Collections
Deepstyle is for Males with an Edge
Spooky Skeleton Manicures
This Skull Nail Art Tutorial is Scarily Quick and Easy
Androgynous Western Shoots
The Agyness Deyn Twin #5 Editorial is Rancher-Chic
Segmented Cyborg Faces
Billy Nunez Illustrates Stunning Androids with Detachable Visages
Comedic Pop Culture Cartoons
Adriano Alves Mashes References from All Corners of Media
100 Printed Fashion Pieces
From Clashing Candy-Colored Shoots to Chaotic Mismatched Lookbooks
Gritty Frank Photography
Rylan Perry Captures Portraits Full of Personality
Purse-Ladened Lookbooks
The Blanco Accessories Spring 2012 Campaign Stars New Face Paula Folch
Combined Character Illustrations
Nate Boyd Illustrates a Mashup of Disney and Star Wars
Morbid Movie Monster Manicures
The Frankenstein's Monster Nails Tutorial is Cute and Quirky
Creepy Rainbow-Hued Children
These Hikari Shimoda Paintings are Vibrant and Unnerving
Lonely Island Photography
Mariya Melnyk is Deserted and Decadent for Elle Ukraine June 2011
Rouged Menswear Looks
The Retro Cool Spread 'Shiny Happy People' Spread in August Man
Luscious Lip-Licking Models
The Terry Richardson i-D Pre-Fall 2011 Spread is Downright Delicious
Supermodel Matrimony Moments
The Kate Moss Vogue September 2011 Wedding Photos are Divine
Disturbed Killer Depictions
Benjamin Marra Renders Memorable Scenes from American Psycho
Topless Celebrity Editorials
The Kate Moss Elle France September 2011 Shoot is Seriously Seductive
Futuristic Tribal Menswear
The Addict Fall/Winter 2012 Runway Showcases Bold Prints
Couture Superheroes
Kevin Sinclair Reinvents Fierce Femmes With Marvel Girl Editorial in Vestal
Candid Supermodel Wedding Photography
The Terry Richardson Kate Moss Wedding Photos are Fun-Filled
Futuristic Tribal Warrior Fashion
Thierry Mugler Presents 'Brothers of Arcadia' Collection
Clownish Dolly Photography
Stefan Giftthaler's Doll House Series is Playful and Mysterious
Epicene Editorials
Viva! Moda S'11 Names Andrej Pejic Mr Unisex
Summer Fun Editorials
Jennifer Lawrence Lounges Poolside for ASOS Magazine June 2011
Blonde Broom Hairdos
The Topshop Spring/Summer 2011 Collection Fuses the Hippy and the Urbanite
Futuristic-Chic Shoots
The Eighth Day Shoot by Haren Mehta is White Hot
Golden Getaway Fashion
The Escada Spring 2012 Campaign Stars Blonde-Haired Iselin Steiro
Cut-and-Paste Photography
Arnaud de Harven's Urban Dispute Editorial is Simply Crafty
Morbid Living Dead Makeovers
The Halloween Corpse Bride Tutorial is a Must-See for Tim Burton Fans
Androgynous Leather Looks
The Hanaa Ben Abdesslem Zoo Magazine Shoot is Edgy and Earthy
Creepy Doll Fashion Editorials
The Lindsey Wixson Vogue Italia 'Like A Doll' Shoot is Eerie
Evocative Cinematic Captures
The Vogue Espana January 2012 Issue Drives Back to the 20s
Old Glamor Editorials
The Kate Moss British Vogue Spread has Both Vintage and Modern Elements
Structured Menswear Spreads
Robin by Bruno Staub Features Haute Architectural Ensembles
Naughty Nun Spreads
The Arizona Muse Freja Beha Erichsen Vogue UK Shoot Plays on Romance Rumors
Understated Fashiontography
Freja Beha Erichsen and Arizona Muse Pose for Terry Richardson
Sci-Fi Glitter Body Art
These 'Hunger Games'-Inspired Tattoos Are Out of This World
Reality Star Supermodel Shoots
The Cynthia Bailey Denim Magazine Editorial Features a Housewife
48 Awesome Agyness Deyn Features
From Impersonating Royalty to Androgynous Rebel Rocker Editorials
Playful Hipster Fashion
Etsy's QooQoo Fashion Makes Unique Garments on Demand
Bold Mexicana Fashion
The Mara Hoffman Spring 2012 Collection is Sweet and Daring
Desirable Desert Photography
Photographer Aaron Feaver Captures Dust Bowl Sensuality
Military Streetwear Campaigns
The 'Do You' Shoot by Nasty Pig Has Attitude
Space-Age Supermodel Shoots
The Agyness Deyn Stern Magazine Shots are Futuristic
Extraterrestrial Cosmetics
The Vladimira Chichova Makeup Shoot Shows Off Futuristic Faces
Quirky Fairytale Fashion
The Sorapol Spring 2012 Collection is Colorfully Cartoonish
Flowery Female Illustrations
Artist endsweep Adds Floral Accents to These Portraits of Women
Stoic Androgynous Fashion
The Max Abadian for Flare December 2011 is Cleverly Collapsed
Fresh Floral Editorials
The 'Super Natural' Julia Frauche Photoshoot is Full of Botanical Life
Troubled Hipster Portraits
The Jonas Kloch for Helmet Magazine Editorial Features Furry Co-Stars
Playful Denim Pairings
The RED By Valentino S/S 2011 Collection is Full of Jean and Crochet
Spellbinding Halloween Manicures
The Witch Nails Tutorial is Enchantingly Edgy
Gagafied Ethereal Editorials
The Igor Vasiliadis Depesha Magazine Shoot is an Artistic Marvel
Bright Billowing Fashion
Zanita Whittington's ‘Feel the Color' Series for Bonds
Steamy Desert Shoots
Rachel Aust Captures Beauty in Natural Settings
Subtle Pastel Fashion
The 'D La Repubblica' No 773 Editorial Features Sophisticated Shades
Creepy Halloween Manicures
This Spiderweb Nail Tutorial is Frighteningly Fun
Invigorating Desert Editorials
Sand Dunes by Akiss Brings Life to Parched Landscapes
Lengthy-Limbed Female Renderings
Lori Earley Illustrates Beautiful Women with Extra Long Necks
Wet T-Shirt Fragrance Campaigns
The Diesel Fuel for Life Denim Collection Campaign is Smoking Hot
Cake Fight Catalogs
The Acrylick Summer 2011 Lookbook Centers Around a Birthday Party Theme
Pale Polished Frocks
The 2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet Was Awash with Neutral Tones
Gypsy Nomad Fashion
The Alyssa Casares Fall 2011 Collection is Softly Feminine
Gory Graphic Novel Costumes
The Frank Miller 'Sin City' Makeup Tutorial is Perfect for Halloween
Futuristic Victorian Fashion
The Morfium Metropolis Collection is Fit to be Worn by Queen Amidala
Sensual Beachside Spreads
The Pirelli Calendar 2012 is a Series of Hot High-Fashion Photos
Androgynous Ethnic-Inspired Shoots
Divine Offspring by Andy Long Hoang Touches on Numerous Themes
Supermodel Starvation Awareness
The Freja Beha Erichsen Doctors Without Borders Benefit
Blue-Haired Beach Bums
The Sam Sorrels Angelina Hobbs Shoot Showcases Seaside Streetwear
Heartbreaking Shoe Campaigns
Lose Yourself in the Agyness Deyn 'First and Forever' Dr. Martens Ad
Victorian Skull Scenes
Karl Kwasny Draws Images that Appear Different Up Close & Far Away
Half-Dressed Denim Ads
Kate Moss Liu Jo Campaign for the Bottom-Up Collection is Scorching Hot
Magnificent Mojave Shoots
Susanne Kindt takes A Explorative Trip Into the Desert
Eye-Measuring Cosmetics
The EasyLiner Concept Ensures Your Eyeliner is Equal Every Time
Epic Desert Catalog
The Amato Haute Couture 2011 Features Sweeping and Sandy Styles
Funny Reimagined Comic Covers
Artist Kerry Callen Puts His Spin On Iconic Comic Book Covers
Hogwarts Cosmetics
This Hufflepuff Eye Makeup is Spellbinding
Vintage NYC Street Style Photos
Jamel Shabazz' "Back in the Day" Takes Us Back
Monumental Model Matrimony Moments
Vogue Releases a Stunning Kate Moss Wedding Video
Homeless-Chic Menswear
The Bernhard Willhelm Fall/Winter 2012 is Perplexing Mix of Style
Lucid Ethereal Editorials
The Kat Cordts Cocoon Magazine Photo Shoot is Stunning
Manly Mechanic Ads
The Wrangler Blue Bell Spring/Summer 2012 Campaign is Biker Chic
Charcoal Jewelry Catalogs
The Lookbook Blackgold by MarquisMontes is Retro and Tribal
Delicate Pastel Collections
Kyla Crozier's Spring 2012 Line is Inspired by Australian Tea Towels
Bird-Flipping Bling Photoshoots
The Oyster Magazine Ashley Smith Editorial is a Rogue Road Trip
Creepy Cinematic Character Candies
The Jack Skellington Cake Pops are a Halloween Treat to Die For
Storybook Fashion Shoots
Arnaud de Harven's Pop Up Fashion Editorial is Cutely Childish
Avian Eyelashes
The Peek of Peacock Lashes by ModCloth Prettify Your Peepers with Plumage
Calm Monochromatic Crooner Captures
The Lana Del Ray for V Magazine Shoot is Stunning
Floral Makeup
Chloe Laslier Has Blossoming Cosmetics in Marie Claire Czech May 2011
Intense Chromatic Photography
Haruki Horikawa's Conspicuously Colored Shoot Captures the Eye
Futuristically Experimental Photography
Jorg Rothhaar's Scientist Project Series is Electrifying
Contemporary Cleopatra Campaigns
The Totomoto 2011 Lookbook is Snake-Inspired
Outrageous Opulent Outfits
The Betty Adewole for Volt Cafe Magazine Shoot is Colorful and Bold
Fiercely Freckled Shoots
The Fresh 'Portrait' Series of Adair by Jeff Tse Brings Back Summer
Funky Food-Eating Illustrations
'Noodles' By Holly Exley Depicts People Munching on Pasta and Soup
Snakeskin Sci-Fi Editorials
The Zuzanna Bijoch July 2011 Interview Magazine Spread is Futuristic
Aqua-Hued Fringed Frocks
Karlie Kloss Looks Stunning in Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012 Campaign
Tribal Androgyny Editorials
Narya Abhimata Shoots a Colorfully Gender-Ambiguous Shoot
Futuristic Femme Fatale Editorials
The Freja Beha Erichsen Vogue UK October 2011 Spread is Fierce
Loitering Capped Shoots
The Caleb Trent for HERO Magazine Shoot is Gritty and Raw
Blunt Bob Beautorials
The Jette Stolte 'Kiss My Act' Editorial is a Modernized 1920s Piece
Colorfully Vacant Photography
Susanne Stemmer's Jil Sander Series Seems Modeled by Mannequins
Heroic Crowdsourced Art Auctions
Skeletor Saves is a Charitable Collection of He-Man Artwork
Couture Carpet Captures
Arnaud de Harven's Rugs Fashion Editorial is Vibrantly Stylish
Extrapolated Image Advertising
This Albert Dali Campaign Turns Ideas into Icons
Blended Culture Portraiture
Win Wallace Melds Tribal Garb with Western Wear in These Images
Supernatural Supermodel Shoots
The Pop Magazine A/W 2011 Covers Feature Eerie Effigies
Futuristic Paper Fashions
Yik Fei's Mono Series Melds Together Fashion and Graphic Design
Socially Driven Streetwear
DopeHut was One of the First B Corporations in California
Bejeweled Sahara Shoots
Gene Ginno Alducente's 'Desert Rose' Showcases Sand Dunes with Style
Spacey Equestrian Pictorials
Photographer Lina Tesch Gets Futuristic & Animalistic
Stained Denim Jackets
'Noah's Windbreaker' from Timo Weiland SS11 is Fashionably Rustic
Hilarious Personified Plants
Seed Faces by Kesley Pike Add Personality to Any Garden Pot
Modern Superhero Makeovers
See Adrianne Palicki in the New Wonder Woman Costume
Exclusive Rap Icon Wear
Lil Wayne's TRUKFIT Clothing Line Sold at Karmaloop
Film Noir-Style Shoots (UPDATE)
Rankin's Dazed and Confused Covers Redefines the Editorial
56 Kate Moss Features
From Handbag Ads to International Vogue Covers, Moss' Career is on Fire
Hipster Awareness PSAs
'Hipsters (are Roaming the Campus)' Highlights NYU's Resident Coolsters
Angelic Androgynous Fashion
The Bassike Resort 2011/12 Campaign is Styled Simply
Race-Based Cosmetics
Black Up Cosmetics Specializes in Women of Color
Magazine-Made Dresses
The Arts Thread Exhibit Showcases Five Unique Paper Fashion Pieces
Posh Athletic Attire
The DeMarcoLab 2012 Spring/Summer Collection for Men is Casual, Chic & Sleek
Rope Earbud Sweaters
These Share InSound Clothing Hoodies Boast Built-In Headphones
Controversial Superhero Campaigns
Jiten Thukral & Sumir Tagra's Art Aims to Promote Safe Sex
Marvel Comic Memory Sticks
Get Your Geek on With the Superhero USB Flash Drives
Brilliant Blonde Braid Depictions
'Soft Ties' By Ellie Noble Features Floor-Length Platinum Locks
Bombastic Hand-Drawn Videos
The New Santigold Single 'Big Mouth' is an Internet Hit
Faux Fur Biker Fashion
The Isabel Marant Rejane Biker Jacket Will Wrap You in Warmth
Superhero Streetwear Crossovers
Stussy x Marvel Comics Collection Adds a Designer Flair to Comics
Color-Popping Palette Campaigns
The Lancome Color Design Campaign Uses Bright Punches of Color
Animalistic Superhero Figures
The Green Hornet & Kato Medicom Toy Bearbrick