SOME Malagasy women paint their faces with beautiful patterns or designs It is a custom associated with the women of the Sakalava tribe. The Vezo women the southern coastal areas of Madagascar paint their faces as well, the Vezo tribe is considered a subset of the Sakalava group. The “paint” is actually made from a special type of wood, specifically the bark of a tree that is ground into powder and then mixed into a paste. These elaborate patterns aren’t merely decorative but also are applied to protect the skin from the damage of the sun as well as ward off insects such as mosquitoes. It is also believed to make your skin more beautiful, much like a face masque or cream would.