Strike a pose: Make up Trends from Around The World

By Crystal Chung @CrystalKChung

FOR centuries different cultures and civilisations have used forms of cosmetics for everything from religious rituals to enhancing beauty, promoting good health and even showcasing different class systems in society

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A man dressed for Theyyam ritual with traditional painting on his face in Thalassery, India

Shot over a period of ten years by professional photographer Eric Lafforgue, the following series of photos give us an insight into the make-up used around the world.

Two young boys dressed up in traditional make up and accessories during the Borobudur Festival in Java Island, Indonesia

The images show people using make up for ceremonies in Papua New Guinea to women in Myanmar and Mozambique who use it as a protection from the sun.

Piece of Art: A Kikuyu Tribe woman in Kenya

The 52-year-old snapper said: “I like photographing tribal people, so I try my best to attend different ceremonies. It was at a ceremony that I realised you can see make up used in so many occasions."

Eric also likes to use make up as a topic of conversation and a way to learn about other’s cultures.

A female tribal dancer smiles for the camera in Trobriand Island, Papua New Guinea

A young child with flower decoration on his head in Korcho, Omo Valley, Ethiopia

He said: “Make up is also a good way to create new relationships as it is a way to speak to people; to ask about their culture. The people I have come across are always happy to explain to foreigners, even if sometimes it is really complicated to understand all the links to the cultures they tell you.”

Skeleton tribe women during Mount Hagen Sing Sing Cultural Show in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea

For Eric, the most unique and memorable make up was the Theyyam in India, which is used as a popular ritual form of worship in India.

A man with traditional headdress and make up In Tapati Festival, Easter Island

He said: “The term Theyyam is a based off of the word Devam or God. People from the local districts consider the performers of the Theyyam themselves to be deities and look forward to getting blessed by them.

A Suri Tribe man with body paintings posing with a Kalashnikov in Omo Valley, Ethiopia

“To appear superhuman, colourful costumes and make up are used in Theyyam dances. The dancer has to lay on the ground to let the makeup artists draw on their face. It takes hours and extreme skill. It takes hours to prepare the dancers.

A girl With Shiva Make Up in Maha Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, India

“It is part of the performer's duties to craft the pieces of clothing, apply make up on to another performer, dance, sing, and know the stories of all the Gods.

A young football fan attends a match Kigali Stadium in Rwanda

“The faces of the people are magnified by so many colours, so it has became a real part of my job and my photographic passion to capture the way it used around the world.”

To see more of Eric’s incredible world photography visit his website: http://www.ericlafforgue.com/