Both the Himba men and women are accustomed to wearing traditional clothing that befits their living environment and the hot semi-arid climate of their area, in most occurrences this consists simply of skirt-like clothing made from calfskins and occasionally sandals for footwear, with foot soles often found made from old car tires. Himba women especially, as well as Himba men, a cosmetic mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment, to cleanse the skin over long periods due to water scarcity and protect themselves from the extremely hot and dry climate of the Kaokoland. The cosmetic mixture, often perfumed with the aromatic resin of the omuzumba shrub, gives their skin and hair plaits a distinctive orange or red-tinge characteristic, as well as texture and style.Otjize is considered foremost a highly desirable aesthetic beauty cosmetic, symbolizing earth's rich red color and blood the essence of life.