Body Paint: Liquid Latex

Liquid Latex is essentially a liquid version of rubber.  It is one of the most popular body paint options.  It costs about $15-$20 for 16 ounces, which should cover about 3 layers of a painted on shirt, and may have a little left over.  This blog will be going over what type of applicators you can use with liquid latex, as well as the pros and cons of using it.  Don't forget to always do a skin test before applying liquid latex!

By airbrush is a common way to apply the paint.  You could also use a sponge, but it could take twice as long, and not only that, the texture isn't as smooth.  One layer of the liquid latex takes about 5 to 10 minutes to dry.

Pros:
There are many different color options for liquid latex including neons, metallics, and even nudes.  Once dried, the latex shrinks by three percent, as if it was just a second layer of skin, therefor it is easy to wear.  Then, once it's dry... that's it, it wont rub off like a cream based paint would.  It lasts for hours, sometimes even up to a day if you're not very active in it.

Cons:
It has a tendency to stick to itself, so purchasing a slick spray to apply to the dried latex would be recommended, or even using a setting powder.  Liquid Latex is removed by simply peeling it off, which can be a bit painful, especially for people with sensitive skin, so be sure to use a moisturizer before applying the latex.  Also, the more layers you use, the easier it is to pull off.

Of course you have to outweigh the pros versus cons before using it.  Using an airbrush machine would be the easiest way to apply it.  It would not be in the best interest to use it on someone who has very sensitive skin.  If you're looking for something that is long lasting without a huge mess, liquid latex would be the way to go.