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Removing Camo Face Paint

Camo Face Paint is, for the most part, a fairly common pancake makeup, similar to that used in theatre, in colours designed to make the wearer blend into the background. Camo paint for bowhunting uses basic earth neutral colors, usually green, black, brown and tan, that mimic colours most often found in the bush. Its use was developed by the military for combat, but was quickly adopted by bowhunters looking for any advantage they could get over their sharp-eyed prey.

Like most pancake makeup, camouflage face paint is formulated to withstand getting wet in the rain and resist running from sweating. The characteristics that make it durable (a single application can last all day) also makes it tricky to remove. Simply wiping it off with a dry towel or rag will get a lot of it off but a messy and unsightly residue will remain leaving the wearer looking somewhat like a zombie. Probably not the effect you need when stopping for a feed of fish and chips on the way home from a hunt.

One surefire method of removal is to carry a few of the pre-moistened towelettes called Camo-Off sold in our accessories section in handy foil wrappers. Similar products are sold in most outdoor-supply stores such as Kathmandu or Outer Limits. These will remove about 90 percent of the goo and leave you looking presentable while avoiding the freshly scrubbed look.

Once you have access to hot water, your face-paint problems are over as all versions of these products respond very well to a basic face wash with soap and water.