DIY: Little 500 face paint

From high school football games to Halloween, everyone has worn face paint at one point or another.

It’s just one of those things you never outgrow. Your parents smeared it on your face when you dressed up as a vampire for Halloween 15 years ago, you wrote your friends’ names on your arms with it at high school football games and band competitions and, one day, you’ll put the greasy paint on your kids’ faces. But this year you’ll smear it on your cheeks as you celebrate IU this weekend for Little 500.

While I enjoy all the Little 500 activities, what I enjoy most is the simple act of celebrating in the name of IU. Between the numerous concerts, the bike races, the celebration of the history of IU and the anticipation of summer, it’s an exciting time of the year. That is why I’m making a simple, homemade face paint that won’t cost you a fortune — because what better way to show your enthusiasm than smearing paint on your body?

This week’s DIY is practical for everyone: it’s not gender-specific, event-specific or age-specific. While it’s useful for people supporting friends and teams in the races this weekend, who says you can’t paint an “IU” on your cheek and walk around downtown? I made a red face paint using all natural food coloring in the spirit of IU, but this recipe can be used to make paint of any color for any occasion.

But if you make a color other than red or white for this weekend, get out of here. This is Little 500 — show some IU spirit.

What you’ll need:

1 teaspoon corn starch
1/2 teaspoon water
1/2 teaspoon cold cream (plus more to help remove paint later)
2-5 drops red food coloring

1. Mix all ingredients together. Add as much red food coloring as you want.
2. Put on face powder or extra cornstarch to help keep the paint in place.
3. To remove the paint, rub cold cream on the desired area until the paint starts to slough off.

WARNING: This paint can temporarily dye your face, so I suggest using an all natural food coloring dye. I also suggest you not put this on your face if you have a job interview the next day.