Mankind have used colours, markings and jewellery to display rank, status and tribe for thousands of years. It previously had a bad boy image but now all that has changed and nothing has to be permanent! Body art designs are attractive and exciting and there are hundreds of unique ideas that might suit you.

Ideas for body art

Body Jewels - Bindis

Bindis are sold in countless designs, shapes and colours. You can mix and match bindis to suit your jewellery and outfit or use a combination of Bindis with creatively applied make-up.

If you have a belly piercing, use a bindi just above or below your navel jewellery to create a special, self-customised effect.

Click here to browse our collection of bindi crystal body jewels.

Body Paint Did you see the photograph of Demi Moore in full body makeup on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine? This is body art at it‘s biggest, boldest and best! If you want to look like you have been touched by the James Bond film, Goldfinger, then you will need either water soluble paint or grease paint. Use an astringent on the skin first to remove grease and moisture and after you have applied your painted body artwork, use a powder to set the design. Remember that you are wearing it, otherwise you could end up with one great big smudge! The secret of using body paint is to keep your designs simple and strong. Most body art cosmetics are water based and skin-friendly. They wash off easily with soap and water, grease based paints are best removed with lots of cold cream or baby oil and then soap.

Temporary Tattoos

You can create your own temporary tattoos by using tattoo inks and a fine paint brush. Your designs can be inspired from different countries around the world. Consider exploring different styles like tribal tattoos, spirals from the Maori Moka, Celtic scrolls, Japanese dragons, or geometrical patterns influenced by Polynesian tattoos. The word tattoo comes from the Polynesian word tau tau. After Captain Cook visited Polynesia in 1764, it entered the english language.

Alternatively, temporary tattoo transfers do a fantastic job and create bold stylish statements easily and immediately. Find a good brand though, some do look particularly fake.

Hair Design

You can style with coloured hair mousse or add stripes of hair mascara, you can even use stencils with spray colour. All types of hair look great with hair slides, pull your fringe back with a cute butterfly or sexy clip.

If you have long hair knot it up Bjork style or try some silver body paint or glitter powder for a look that goes overboard!

Henna

Madonna sported this look in her video Frozen. Since then, Naomi Campbell has flown to New York to get her hands painted, the artist formerly known as Prince revealed painted hands and Demi Moore actually had her hands done for her wedding day!

Henna, also known as Mehndi, is a semi-permanent plant-based dye that lasts between 1 to 4 weeks. Henna is traditionally used in parts of India, Pakhistan, North Africa and Turkey. It is typically applied to the hands and feet and used as part of womens‘ celebrations.

The use of red henna is believed to attract good luck and good health. Many believe this tradition was started in Persia to decorate brides who were unable to afford expensive jewellery.

Applying real henna is time consuming and very fiddly, it can also take upto two days to darken and look it‘s best. Henna kits are readily available at Indian fashion stores and various make-up shops or you can visit a henna artist.

To acheive a similar look without the fuss, you can purchase henna-inspired temporary tattoos and transfers or use rubber stencils (available from Indian shops) to trace directly onto the hands. Use a henna-look pencil to create the effect. Then get creative and use this style of body adornment to draw patterns around your belly button, navel piercing or apply it to parts of your body that you are proud of. An armband for toned arms, flowers for that delicate ankle or Indian inspired paisley patterns on the palms of your feet.