WBF Finland with the World Championship in Creative Make-up
along with the Nordic Awards
On October 19, 2025, Helsinki became the vibrant stage for an extraordinary celebration of artistry and imagination as the World Bodypainting Festival crowned its World Champion in Creative Make-up.
Set within the inspiring atmosphere of I Love Me – Northern Europe’s largest beauty, fashion, wellness, and health fair – the event transformed the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre (Messukeskus) into a dazzling arena of colors, textures, and creative expression.
From October 18–19, audiences experienced the pinnacle of body art innovation at the Nordic Awards in three categories, where talents from across the globe met Nordic excellence. The Nordic Awards paid tribute to exceptional artists in Bodypainting, Fashion Editorial Make-up, and Facepainting, each interpreting unique themes that challenged perception, emotion, and imagination.
World Award: Creative Make-up
Theme: Rebel Fashion Circus
These award-winning photographs embody the essence of the Rebel Fashion Circus — a vibrant fusion of fearless creativity, bold individuality, and unapologetic style. Each image unfolds a story of defiance and freedom, where punk energy meets haute couture elegance and self-expression reigns supreme. Through striking colors, unconventional textures, and dramatic contrasts, these works capture the thrilling moment when fashion and rebellion unite beneath the spotlight of the big top.
1st place Sanna Juhala | Finland
2nd Nina Vuori | Finland
3rd place Roosa Leino | Finland
Nordic Award: Bodypainting – Open Category
Theme: World of Illusions
These winning works capture the magic of the World of Illusions — a realm where reality bends, and nothing is quite as it seems.
Artists played with perception and perspective, merging fantasy with reality through the transformative power of body art. Each piece reveals surreal imagery and hidden stories that invite the viewer to look twice — and question what is real.
A breathtaking display of imagination, technique, and storytelling, beautifully defying the boundaries of logic.
1st place Bettina Muigg | Austria
2nd place Kai Schön | Estonia
3rd place Piera di Maio | Italy
Nordic Award: Fashion Editorial Make-up
Theme: Savage Beauty
The winners in this category embodied the essence of Savage Beauty — a striking fusion of raw power and refined elegance.
Each creation captured primal strength and untamed nature, transforming models into warrior queens, jungle spirits, and avant-garde goddesses.
With bold vision and editorial finesse, these looks redefined modern fashion artistry — fierce, fearless, and truly worthy of a magazine cover.
1st place Roosa Leino | Finland
2nd place Janina Koivisto | Finland
3rd place Lora Tulchinski | Israel
Nordic Award: Facepainting
Theme: Darkest Fears
This haunting category explored the hidden corners of the human psyche.
The winning artworks brought Darkest Fears to life with raw emotional intensity — confronting nightmares, phobias, and psychological terrors through intricate detail and expressive storytelling.
Each painted face revealed what lurks beneath the surface of the mind — a powerful reminder of how art can transform fear into beauty.
Photos: Tobias Spranger
1st place Marian Folga | Poland
2nd place Bettina Muigg | Austria
3rd place Angela Youngs | UK
Big THANK YOU to the Jury
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our distinguished jury, whose passion and expertise guided the competition to new heights:
Einat Dan (Israel), Yasmin Heinz (United Kingdom), Mirjana “Kika” Milošević (Serbia), Linda Hallberg (Sweden), Jasmiina Walters (Finland), Riina Laine (Finland), Linda Rohmen (Norway), and Linda Wickmann (Norway).
A Celebration of Art Without Borders
The WBF Finland 2025 and the Nordic Awards once again proved that creativity knows no limits.
From imaginative illusions to fearless fashion and evocative expressions of fear, each artist contributed to a living, breathing gallery of human imagination. Congratulations to all winners and participants — and thank you for making Helsinki shine with creativity!
For more details of the winners and all the results go to bodypainting-festival.com
COPYRIGHT Photos: Tobias Spranger