diff --git a/cogl/cogl-framebuffer.c b/cogl/cogl-framebuffer.c
index 3144c9527..e28d44899 100644
--- a/cogl/cogl-framebuffer.c
+++ b/cogl/cogl-framebuffer.c
@@ -1132,7 +1132,7 @@ notify_buffers_changed (CoglFramebuffer *old_draw_buffer,
          front face is flipped for offscreen buffers */
       if (old_draw_buffer->type != new_draw_buffer->type &&
           ctx->current_pipeline &&
-          _cogl_pipeline_get_cull_face_mode (ctx->current_pipeline) !=
+          cogl_pipeline_get_cull_face_mode (ctx->current_pipeline) !=
           COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_NONE)
         {
           ctx->current_pipeline_changes_since_flush |=
diff --git a/cogl/cogl-pipeline-private.h b/cogl/cogl-pipeline-private.h
index 57f3503e6..4d0453644 100644
--- a/cogl/cogl-pipeline-private.h
+++ b/cogl/cogl-pipeline-private.h
@@ -298,20 +298,6 @@ typedef enum _CoglPipelineBlendEnable
   COGL_PIPELINE_BLEND_ENABLE_AUTOMATIC
 } CoglPipelineBlendEnable;
 
-typedef enum
-{
-  COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_NONE,
-  COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_FRONT,
-  COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BACK,
-  COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BOTH
-} CoglPipelineCullFaceMode;
-
-typedef enum
-{
-  COGL_WINDING_CLOCKWISE,
-  COGL_WINDING_COUNTER_CLOCKWISE
-} CoglWinding;
-
 typedef struct
 {
   /* Determines how this pipeline is blended with other primitives */
diff --git a/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state-private.h b/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state-private.h
index dd00f005c..d93771bc9 100644
--- a/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state-private.h
+++ b/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state-private.h
@@ -35,14 +35,6 @@ void
 _cogl_pipeline_set_fog_state (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
                               const CoglPipelineFogState *fog_state);
 
-void
-_cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_state (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
-                                    const CoglPipelineCullFaceState *
-                                                             cull_face_state);
-
-CoglPipelineCullFaceMode
-_cogl_pipeline_get_cull_face_mode (CoglPipeline *pipeline);
-
 gboolean
 _cogl_pipeline_color_equal (CoglPipeline *authority0,
                             CoglPipeline *authority1);
diff --git a/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state.c b/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state.c
index 78102d866..db662f4fa 100644
--- a/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state.c
+++ b/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state.c
@@ -1177,22 +1177,20 @@ _cogl_pipeline_set_fog_state (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
 }
 
 void
-_cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_state (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
-                                    const CoglPipelineCullFaceState *
-                                                            cull_face_state)
+cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_mode (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
+                                  CoglPipelineCullFaceMode cull_face_mode)
 {
   CoglPipelineState state = COGL_PIPELINE_STATE_CULL_FACE;
   CoglPipeline *authority;
-  CoglPipelineCullFaceState *current_cull_face_state;
+  CoglPipelineCullFaceState *cull_face_state;
 
   _COGL_RETURN_IF_FAIL (cogl_is_pipeline (pipeline));
 
   authority = _cogl_pipeline_get_authority (pipeline, state);
 
-  current_cull_face_state = &authority->big_state->cull_face_state;
+  cull_face_state = &authority->big_state->cull_face_state;
 
-  if (current_cull_face_state->mode == cull_face_state->mode &&
-      current_cull_face_state->front_winding == cull_face_state->front_winding)
+  if (cull_face_state->mode == cull_face_mode)
     return;
 
   /* - Flush journal primitives referencing the current state.
@@ -1202,14 +1200,44 @@ _cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_state (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
    */
   _cogl_pipeline_pre_change_notify (pipeline, state, NULL, FALSE);
 
-  pipeline->big_state->cull_face_state = *cull_face_state;
+  pipeline->big_state->cull_face_state.mode = cull_face_mode;
+
+  _cogl_pipeline_update_authority (pipeline, authority, state,
+                                   _cogl_pipeline_cull_face_state_equal);
+}
+
+void
+cogl_pipeline_set_front_face_winding (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
+                                      CoglWinding front_winding)
+{
+  CoglPipelineState state = COGL_PIPELINE_STATE_CULL_FACE;
+  CoglPipeline *authority;
+  CoglPipelineCullFaceState *cull_face_state;
+
+  _COGL_RETURN_IF_FAIL (cogl_is_pipeline (pipeline));
+
+  authority = _cogl_pipeline_get_authority (pipeline, state);
+
+  cull_face_state = &authority->big_state->cull_face_state;
+
+  if (cull_face_state->front_winding == front_winding)
+    return;
+
+  /* - Flush journal primitives referencing the current state.
+   * - Make sure the pipeline has no dependants so it may be modified.
+   * - If the pipeline isn't currently an authority for the state being
+   *   changed, then initialize that state from the current authority.
+   */
+  _cogl_pipeline_pre_change_notify (pipeline, state, NULL, FALSE);
+
+  pipeline->big_state->cull_face_state.front_winding = front_winding;
 
   _cogl_pipeline_update_authority (pipeline, authority, state,
                                    _cogl_pipeline_cull_face_state_equal);
 }
 
 CoglPipelineCullFaceMode
-_cogl_pipeline_get_cull_face_mode (CoglPipeline *pipeline)
+cogl_pipeline_get_cull_face_mode (CoglPipeline *pipeline)
 {
   CoglPipelineState state = COGL_PIPELINE_STATE_CULL_FACE;
   CoglPipeline *authority;
@@ -1222,6 +1250,20 @@ _cogl_pipeline_get_cull_face_mode (CoglPipeline *pipeline)
   return authority->big_state->cull_face_state.mode;
 }
 
+CoglWinding
+cogl_pipeline_get_front_face_winding (CoglPipeline *pipeline)
+{
+  CoglPipelineState state = COGL_PIPELINE_STATE_CULL_FACE;
+  CoglPipeline *authority;
+
+  _COGL_RETURN_VAL_IF_FAIL (cogl_is_pipeline (pipeline),
+                            COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_NONE);
+
+  authority = _cogl_pipeline_get_authority (pipeline, state);
+
+  return authority->big_state->cull_face_state.front_winding;
+}
+
 float
 cogl_pipeline_get_point_size (CoglPipeline *pipeline)
 {
diff --git a/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state.h b/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state.h
index 7015b00c0..5dfd21a1b 100644
--- a/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state.h
+++ b/cogl/cogl-pipeline-state.h
@@ -686,6 +686,97 @@ void
 cogl_pipeline_get_depth_state (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
                                CoglDepthState *state_out);
 
+/**
+ * CoglPipelineCullFaceMode:
+ * @COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_NONE: Neither face will be
+ *  called. This is the default.
+ * @COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_FRONT: Front faces will be called.
+ * @COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BACK: Back faces will be called.
+ * @COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BOTH: All faces will be called.
+ *
+ * Specifies which faces should be called. This can be set on a
+ * pipeline using cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_mode().
+ */
+typedef enum
+{
+  COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_NONE,
+  COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_FRONT,
+  COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BACK,
+  COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BOTH
+} CoglPipelineCullFaceMode;
+
+/**
+ * cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_mode:
+ * @pipeline: A #CoglPipeline
+ * @cull_face_mode: The new mode to set
+ *
+ * Sets which faces will be culled when drawing. Face culling can be
+ * used to increase efficiency by avoiding drawing faces that would
+ * get overridden. For example, if a model has gaps so that it is
+ * impossible to see the inside then faces which are facing away from
+ * the screen will never be seen so there is no point in drawing
+ * them. This can be acheived by setting the cull face mode to
+ * %COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BACK.
+ *
+ * Face culling relies on the primitives being drawn with a specific
+ * order to represent which faces are facing inside and outside the
+ * model. This order can be specified by calling
+ * cogl_pipeline_set_front_face_winding().
+ *
+ * Status: Unstable
+ * Since: 2.0
+ */
+void
+cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_mode (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
+                                  CoglPipelineCullFaceMode cull_face_mode);
+
+/**
+ * cogl_pipeline_get_cull_face_mode:
+ *
+ * Return value: the cull face mode that was previously set with
+ * cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_mode().
+ *
+ * Status: Unstable
+ * Since: 2.0
+ */
+CoglPipelineCullFaceMode
+cogl_pipeline_get_cull_face_mode (CoglPipeline *pipeline);
+
+/**
+ * cogl_pipeline_set_front_face_winding:
+ *
+ * The order of the vertices within a primitive specifies whether it
+ * is considered to be front or back facing. This function specifies
+ * which order is considered to be the front
+ * faces. %COGL_WINDING_COUNTER_CLOCKWISE sets the front faces to
+ * primitives with vertices in a counter-clockwise order and
+ * %COGL_WINDING_CLOCKWISE sets them to be clockwise. The default is
+ * %COGL_WINDING_COUNTER_CLOCKWISE.
+ *
+ * Status: Unstable
+ * Since: 2.0
+ */
+void
+cogl_pipeline_set_front_face_winding (CoglPipeline *pipeline,
+                                      CoglWinding front_winding);
+
+/**
+ * cogl_pipeline_set_front_face_winding:
+ *
+ * The order of the vertices within a primitive specifies whether it
+ * is considered to be front or back facing. This function specifies
+ * which order is considered to be the front
+ * faces. %COGL_WINDING_COUNTER_CLOCKWISE sets the front faces to
+ * primitives with vertices in a counter-clockwise order and
+ * %COGL_WINDING_CLOCKWISE sets them to be clockwise. The default is
+ * %COGL_WINDING_COUNTER_CLOCKWISE.
+ *
+ * Status: Unstable
+ * Since: 2.0
+ */
+CoglWinding
+cogl_pipeline_get_front_face_winding (CoglPipeline *pipeline);
+
 #endif /* COGL_ENABLE_EXPERIMENTAL_API */
 
 G_END_DECLS
diff --git a/cogl/cogl-pipeline.c b/cogl/cogl-pipeline.c
index 60e96eb22..907f692c7 100644
--- a/cogl/cogl-pipeline.c
+++ b/cogl/cogl-pipeline.c
@@ -2460,12 +2460,8 @@ _cogl_pipeline_apply_legacy_state (CoglPipeline *pipeline)
     _cogl_pipeline_set_fog_state (pipeline, &ctx->legacy_fog_state);
 
   if (ctx->legacy_backface_culling_enabled)
-    {
-      CoglPipelineCullFaceState state;
-      state.mode = COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BACK;
-      state.front_winding = COGL_WINDING_COUNTER_CLOCKWISE;
-      _cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_state (pipeline, &state);
-    }
+    cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_mode (pipeline,
+                                      COGL_PIPELINE_CULL_FACE_MODE_BACK);
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/cogl/cogl-types.h b/cogl/cogl-types.h
index c93bde842..b8edb695e 100644
--- a/cogl/cogl-types.h
+++ b/cogl/cogl-types.h
@@ -702,6 +702,21 @@ typedef enum
   COGL_COLOR_MASK_ALL = (COGL_COLOR_MASK_RED | COGL_COLOR_MASK_GREEN | COGL_COLOR_MASK_BLUE | COGL_COLOR_MASK_ALPHA)
 } CoglColorMask;
 
+/**
+ * CoglWinding:
+ * @COGL_WINDING_CLOCKWISE: Vertices are in a clockwise order
+ * @COGL_WINDING_COUNTER_CLOCKWISE: Vertices are in a counter-clockwise order
+ *
+ * Enum used to represent the two directions of rotation. This can be
+ * used to set the front face for culling by calling
+ * cogl_pipeline_set_front_face_winding().
+ */
+typedef enum
+{
+  COGL_WINDING_CLOCKWISE,
+  COGL_WINDING_COUNTER_CLOCKWISE
+} CoglWinding;
+
 G_END_DECLS
 
 #endif /* __COGL_TYPES_H__ */
diff --git a/doc/reference/cogl-2.0-experimental/cogl-2.0-experimental-sections.txt b/doc/reference/cogl-2.0-experimental/cogl-2.0-experimental-sections.txt
index f8a1185aa..0073408ef 100644
--- a/doc/reference/cogl-2.0-experimental/cogl-2.0-experimental-sections.txt
+++ b/doc/reference/cogl-2.0-experimental/cogl-2.0-experimental-sections.txt
@@ -570,6 +570,11 @@ cogl_pipeline_get_point_size
 cogl_pipeline_get_color_mask
 cogl_pipeline_set_color_mask
 
+CoglPipelineCullFaceMode
+cogl_pipeline_set_cull_face_mode
+CoglWinding
+cogl_pipeline_set_front_face_winding
+
 cogl_pipeline_set_layer_texture
 cogl_pipeline_get_layer_texture
 CoglMaterialFilter