How to Camouflage Your Face

People are programmed to notice human faces and will quickly find a face among a jumble of objects such as sand dunes, bushes and equipment. Soldiers camouflage their faces in order to keep from being seen by enemies. For the camouflage to be effective, it has to be applied in the correct manner.

Things You'll Need

• Camouflage sticks or compact

Instructions

1. Begin by applying a medium-color face paint to your entire face, including your lips, eyelids, eyebrows and hairline. This will eliminate the natural shine of your face.

2. Apply black face paint to the center of your forehead, your nose, cheekbones and chin. These areas stick out on most faces, and the black face paint makes them seem more flat.

3. Put a light color face paint under your eyes, under your nose, along your temples and between your bottom lip and chin. These areas are usually in shadow on your face, and the light color face paint removes the shadowing.

4. Make a pattern on your face to match your environment. For instance, if you're hiding among trees and bushes, draw irregular blotches on your face; if you're hiding in grass, apply stripes to help you blend in.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the right colors for your environment. If you're in the woods, grassland or a jungle, use brown, green and black. Use brown, tan and black in desert areas and gray, white and black in snowy areas.

• Don't forget to camouflage your neck and hands unless you need your hands to signal comrades.

• Wear camouflage clothing and apply camouflage paint or tape to any equipment you're carrying, such as weapons, flashlights or handheld radios.

• Consider buying camouflage face paint that also includes an insect repellent.

• Before applying camouflage to your skin, check the ingredients to make sure you aren't allergic to any of them.

Resources

• Buy camouflage for your face and equipment at the Army Navy Shop.