Hi All,
I'm looking to produce some shoots where a stunning model covers herself head to toe in clay. I'd love to source the type of clay used in AllWAM mud wrestling shoots and have been given conflicting advice in the past as to the safest and best clay to use.
Some people have assured me that ball and fire clays are perfectly safe for mud wrestle themed shoots but I've had a couple of other persons who have scorned at the idea and said the safest type to use is bentonite.
Wanted to put a question out there as would appreciate any advice anyone can please give.

Bentonite itself is a type of clay, all powdered clay of the type you'd purchase at a pottery supply store are perfectly safe for models. The only danger from clay is when it is in the powdered form so wear a mask when mixing it.

From what I understand Bentonite is one of the most absorbant clays, so you'll get more mess per kg of clay used.

From experience it can take a full day to soak up its full load of water and reach maximum thickness.

Its pretty easy to wash off as well, which is a nice bonus too.

Bentonite has the characteristic of holding so much water that it doesn't have the sticky feel of thick clay. I personally don't like the way it feels but some like the way it sort of doesn't stick to the skin.

All good comments, want to add my voice on wear a mask during mixing.. you dont want that dust in your lungs. I have tried the Bentonite type as well.. it is absolutely impressive the volume it will grow after soaking vast amount of water in 24h.. so would use that if you want a deeper bath kinda thing. The texture is not as good.. more watery, doesnt have the weight and coverage other clays have. My goto has been a mix of Kaolin and Red art (75-25 ratio) this gives a very close effect to the new messygirl mud pit.
Allwam pit I think was all Ball clay. Might have been all Kaolin those 2 are fairly close. I prefer Kaolin, felt more slippery for me.

Have fun.