Horizon Forbidden West: How to unlock & use face paint

André González Rodríguez
Horizon Forbbiden West Face Paint

Horizon Forbidden West has plenty of unlockable cosmetics and items, like face paint. These are acquired as rewards throughout the story for completing quests, collecting War Totems, and getting Valor Surges. So, here’s how you can apply Aloy’s iconic face paint in the game.

Be it a protagonist, a vehicle, or a weapon, cosmetics provide players with different ways to customize their characters. And when it comes to Horizon Forbidden West, that’s no different.

The open-world adventure has many cosmetics to choose from, but one, in particular, takes the cake – Aloy’s face paint.

Face paints are a crucial part of the game’s main character as it distinguishes her from the rest. There are plenty to enjoy and choose from – and here’s how to partake in the fun.

Contents


horizon forbidden west face paint
The Oseram Artificer paint can be obtained by completing the Deep Trouble side quest.

What are face paints in Horizon Forbidden West?

Face paints are one of many cosmetics in Horizon Forbidden West that players can use to switch up Aloy’s look. Like other cosmetics, they serve no purpose but to give alternatives to the protagonist’s appearance.

Throughout the game, players will encounter various NPCs. Each has their own unique face paints from differing tribes. This means that as fans play, they too can represent a tribe.

How to unlock face paints in Horizon Forbidden West

A good chunk of face paints in Horizon Forbidden West can be unlocked via the main story mission as well as side quests. As you play, you’ll start seeing face paint pop up as a reward for completing content.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to utilize them until you encounter the settlement of Scalding Spear, in the third main area. This means that depending on how much you’ve explored or followed the story, you might be running around with their pockets filled with paints with no way to apply them.

How to apply face paint in Horizon Forbidden West

To apply face paint, you will need to find a Painter merchant in a settlement. Once found, speak to the Painter and they will gladly apply the face paint of choice at a cost of 10 Metal Shards.

Conversely, if you are looking to remove face paint, perhaps to introduce a new one, talk to the NPC once again and they’ll remove it for 1 Metal Shard.

A screenshot of Horizon Forbidden West
Aloy’s face paints distinguish her from other video game protagonists.

It’s worth noting that you can also apply face paint while using Photo Mode, but it won’t remain on Aloy once play is resumed.

Where to find Painters in Horizon Forbidden West

As aforementioned, Painters are the NPCs that apply face paint on Aloy. There are a total of three in Horizon Forbbiden West in each of the major Tenakth settlements: Scalding Spear, The Bulwark, and Thornmash.

All Horizon Forbidden West face paints

Nora

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Nora Warrior 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Nora Scout 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Nora Seeker 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Nora Death-Seeker 10 Metal Shards Common Default

Oseram

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Oseram Artificer 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Deep Trouble side quest
Oseram Striker 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Lofty Ambitions side quest
Oseram Wayfarer 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Broken Locks errand quest
Oseram Explorer 10 Metal Shards Common Default

Banuk

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Banuk Aspirant 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Banuk Chieftain 10 Metal Shards Common Included with Deluxe Edition
Banuk Shaman 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Banuk Survivor 10 Metal Shards Common Default

Utaru

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Utaru Whisperer 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Dying Lands main quest
Utaru Protector 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Promontory side quest
Utaru Birthsinger 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Second Verse side quest
Utaru Harvester 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Oldgrowth errand quest
Utaru Thresher 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Utaru Ritesinger 10 Metal Shards Common Default

Carja

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Carja Watcher 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Carja Champion 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Carja Noble 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Carja Hawk 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Carja Blazon 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Embassy main quest
Carja Trader 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Carja Shadow 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Burning Blooms side quest
Carja Scholar 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Twilight Path side quest

Tenakth

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Tenakth Reaver 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Wings of the Ten main quest
Tenakth Recon 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Blood for Blood side quest
Tenakth Dragoon 10 Metal Shards Common Complete In the Fog side quest
Tenakth Vindicator 10 Metal Shards Common Complete A Tribe Apart side quest
Tenakth Vanquisher 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Thirst for the Hunt side quest
Tenakth Skirmisher 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Burden of Command errand quest
Tenakth Conqueror 10 Metal Shards Common Complete The Broken Sky main quest
Tenakth Tactician 10 Metal Shards Common Complete A Soldier’s March side quest
Tenakth Marauder 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Call and Response errand quest
Tenakth Sky Climber 10 Metal Shards Common Complete A Hunt to Remember errand quest

Zenith

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Specter Mandible 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Aerial Capture: South
Specter Stripe 10 Metal Shards Common Complete For His Amusement main quest
Specter Vision 10 Metal Shards Common Complete His Final Act main quest

Quen

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Quen Officer 5 Champion’s Token Common New Game +
Quen Imperial 5 Champion’s Token Common New Game +
Quen Relic Hunter 5 Champion’s Token Common New Game +
Quen Navigator 5 Champion’s Token Common New Game +
Quen Light-Weaver 5 Champion’s Token Common New Game +
Quen Stargazer 10 Metal Shards Common Burning Shores DLC
Quen Wavewatcher 10 Metal Shards Common Burning Shores DLC
Quen Freediver 10 Metal Shards Common Burning Shores DLC

Special

FACE PAINT COST RARITY HOW TO UNLOCK
Mark of War 10 Metal Shards Common Collect all War Totems
Mark of Pride 10 Metal Shards Common Default
Pangea Forever 10 Metal Shards Common Complete Pangea Figurines

Valor Surges

  • Ranged Master
  • Powershots
  • Chain Burst
  • Elemental Fury
  • Warrior’s Vigor

For more Horizon Forbidden West content, check our guides below:

Horizon Forbidden West review | Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition PC requirements: Minimum & recommended specs | Will Horizon Forbidden West run on Steam Deck? | Horizon Forbidden West: How to destroy Firegleam (Red Crystals) | Horizon Forbidden West: How to apply face paint | How to fix Horizon Forbidden West bricking PS5 | Horizon Forbidden West Explorer vs Guided Mode: What’s the difference? | Is there a Horizon Forbidden West difficulty trophy? How to change difficulties