Make-up Review: AquaFlow BodyAir Extended Wear FX Make-up

 Special effects (SFX) movie makeup has got to be some fairly stout stuff in order to stand up to a number of things, including the following:

•All-day shooting
•Blistering heat
•Freezing cold
•Water scenes
•Action fight scenes

Nothing exists in the movie industry that must take more abuse than SFX makeup. As a result of the demands for durability, many professional SFX makeup artists have been turning to temporary-tattoo inks because of the ink's durability and high pigment.

Not me.

I have found the rarest of makeup gems, BodyAir. BodyAir is a line of extended-wear makeup produced and distributed by AquaFlow, a company based out of Carrollton, GA.

During the past six months I have put BodyAir through on-the-job testing under the harshest conditions I could dish out. The tests include location shoots with hot days and chilly nights, performance on latex and gel prosthetics, body painting in night clubs and a full-season of, “Evil Dead the Musical.”

To my great delight BodyAir out-performed many major name-brand makeups that cost two or three times as much. Based on a 10 point scale, the break-down of areas I tested are as follows:

Coverage: 10 of 10
Here, BodyAir was a wonder with smooth, even coverage and minimal mix adjustments. Additionally, such a critical aspect for SFX artists usually requires that one use a host of tricks to match the makeup tint from Latex with the actor's skin.

The matching includes everything from darker undercoats to oils on the latex. Using BodyAir makeup, I was able to apply it straight to both latex and skin, and the blend was seamless and it looked natural – that is, as natural as a festering wound on a vampire can appear!

This is something I have never been able to do with any other product, ever.

Application: 10 out of 10
I was able to easily apply BodyAir makeup with either brush and sponge or standard airbrush techniques. The ease of its application proved to me that the products are versatile. What's more, I used this product in temperatures so chilly that the cream makeups stiffened and could no longer be used or blended, yet BodyAir kept going strong.

On top of that, this was the easiest time I have ever had airbrushing hair-fine networks of veins that looked natural. It is not an overstatement saying, "This was the best experience of my SFX career."

Durability: 10 of 10
I would have to say that BodyAir is king of durability because it is one of the most durable makeups I have ever worked with.

I threw everything I had at it: Shoots in pools with chlorinated water, blood-effects, baby oil, and to increase sheen, I covered it with metho-cellulose. I took it to dance-floors at night clubs and through sweaty, fight scenes.

The most it ever needed was a rare minor touch up.
The downside was that it is difficult to remove from the talent's skin at the end of a shoot.

Through trial and error, I found that if one alternates the use of oil-based makeup remover, spirit gum solvent and Dawn dishwashing liquid, the makeup would reluctantly come off.

Even with all that effort,one is likely to find flecks for a day or two after application.

I decided it is much better to spend a little extra-time removing well-applied makeup than having to stop an entire shoot and re-do makeup.

For its durability, I am giving BodyAir a perfect score: 10 out of 10.

Color: 9.5 of 10
BodyAir's high pigment colors are fun to use, giving you the ability to work fine detail and natural blending at low pressure. It also elicits deep, rich color where needed.
AquaFlow's product line has a host of shimmers that go on amazingly light.

The only thing I have not tried, which I would like too, is their metallic line. I have yet to find a liquid-metallic mixture I'm happy with, which I can apply with my airbrush gear.

Still, BodyAir is as good as any other high pigment, airbrush makeup I have used. If you like, you can even order custom colors from them.

The only issue I have had with BodyAir is that it does have a bit of a highlight-sheen once it has been applied. The best way to counter this is with a light dusting of powder.

The fix dulls down the art and make-up a bit, but is up to the SFX artist to balance trade-offs.

Value: 10 out of 10
BodyAir is by far the best bang for your buck that I have found to date for SFX makeup.

The fact that the products are high-quality, at a fraction of the cost of other makeups and body paints makes me wish I could score BodyAir at 20 out of 10.

Summary:
There were a few minor drawbacks with the product.

I found I had to clean my airbrush tip a little more often, and I had to make sure my equipment was clean. If I did not keep an eye on things, the product would set up in a brush or sponge which pretty much trashed them. If you allow it to set up in an airbrush, it can be a pain to clean.

Even so, I am giving it 10 out of 10, because you have to clean and sanitize your tools. Always!

Verdict:
In the end, I am giving them 49.5 out of 50, and I am not being overly generous.

The product has earned every point and I am delighted to have found BodyAir. I consider their product critical to my makeup kit and to my success on all types of gigs.

 BodyAir can Be Ordered from http://www.aquaflow.com/

Till Next time,  Stirling Out...

Photo Below By Marvin Weston, Model Nichole Elizabeth of NE Photos