Applying Your Bindi

Bindi Application:

There are two keys to keeping your bindi secured. 1. Spirit Gum & 2. Adhering to clean skin.

1. Some people will tell you to use bindi glue or eyelash glue to adhere your bindi. While I have used eyelash glue for practice or for events where it is not too hot and I don't plan on moving too much, I would not trust it to last through a performance. I have found that there is nothing better than spirit gum for a bindi that will go the distance. Spirit Gum is the same substance that makeup artists use to apply prosthetics to people's faces for special effects.  You can find it online or in stores during the Halloween Season.

It's important to apply the spirit gum to the back of the bindi and then let it set for at least a minute to get tacky before applying to your skin. If it is the very first time the vinyl backing has ever seen glue, I find it works better to apply a thin coat of spirit gum, let it get tacky, apply it to your skin, give it a minute, then peel it off and repeat. Again this should only be necessary the very first time you apply your bindi. 

2.  It is extremely important to adhere your bindi to clean skin.  Think about it for a minute, if you apply the bindi on top of your makeup, the minute you start to sweat your makeup off, your bindi is going to go with it.  Rather than trying to do your makeup around your bindi and risk getting it on the crystals, I recommend doing your makeup first then cleaning just the area you would like to apply your bindi to with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.  The alcohol will remove the makeup and any oils on your skin ensuring a good bond (it is important to let the alcohol dry completely before applying your bindi).  Using this method I have danced in the sun on 90 degree days in full tribal gear and the bindi didn't move.