Beauty Bento Box

Japanese Geisha-Maiko Makeup & Tools

by Sasha Manuel on October 21st, 2007

In reference to my previous post on How to Apply Geisha Makeup, I went about the whole thing in a very practical manner, listing general makeup and tools.

Christina of eBeautyDaily had requested a more traditional approach, which I interpreted as finding an authentic set of makeup to create the Geisha look esp since there is that bit of a problem when it comes to the white face paint, a vital if not the most important part of the whole look.

Since I already briefly told you about the process that’s involved in the application, not to mention, the useful video included in the previous post, this time I’d like you to take a look at the Japanese makeup and tools you can use. Note that these are similar to or the actual makeup and tools used by Geiko (Geisha) or Kabuki actors.

Base and Prep

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Kabuki Abura

This is the oil undercoat for use with the ‘Kabuki Oshiroi’ Shiro-Nuri (Doran) face paint. It is softened in the hands and then rubbed over the entire face or other areas to prepare the skin for the white face makeup.

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Ishineri Hair Wax

This is the stiff wax used to flatten out facial hair such as the eyebrows prior applying the Kabuki Abrua, exactly the same as ‘Taihaku’. It is softened between the fingers and rubbed over facial hair. After applying the complete Shiro-Nuri makeup over this, you may then draw new ones with Stage Liner or Lining Colour #1 Black & #4C Red.

White Makeup - Paint or Foundation for Face, Neck and Nape

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Kabuki Oshiroi

This is the Shiro-Nuri (Doran) white face paint. It is diluted in a dish of water and then painted on over the entire face, neck or other areas with a #60 Itahake, smoothing it out and removing excess water with a Sponge Pad. A 2nd coat is often applied to the upper part of the face after this adding ‘Tonoko’ Rouge.

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Kona Oshiroi

It is applied with a soft pad over the ‘Kabuki Oshiroi’ (Doran) white face paint to soften and blend the makeup.

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Tonoko Rouge

It is either dusted on with a #24 Naga-Itahake over the ‘Kabuki Oshiroi’ (Doran) white face paint or sometimes blended into a second coat of the Doran. It is used on the upper part of the face to soften the harsh white.

Japanese Kyoto ‘Maiko-han Oshiroi’ Compact & Brush Set

This one’s ideal for small re-touches since it’s suitable for travel.

Eye and Lip Makeup

Japanese Geisha Maiko Black Eyebrow & Red Lip Pencil Set

The black one is for drawing fine lines on the eyebrows and the red one for the outline on the lips.

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Black Stage Liner

It is used over the completed Shiro-Nuri white face paint to do all the fine-line eye details.

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Black Lining Colour

It is used with a pointed ‘Hake’ cosmetic brush to apply over the completed Shiro-Nuri white face paint to do all the eye and lip details.

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Red Lining Colour

It is used with a pointed ‘Hake’ cosmetic brush to apply over the completed Shiro-Nuri white face paint to do all the eye and lip details. It is even used as lipstick.

Makeup Tools

Japanese Geisha Maiko ‘Itahake’ Cosmetic Brush 60

This traditional, hand-made ‘Itahake’ Brush is used for painting the face and other large areas with Kabuki Oshiroi (white face paint). It is made in the traditional way and is the exact one used by the Maiko and Geisha of Gion.

Japanese Geisha Maiko ‘Nagae Itahake’ Cosmetic Brush 25

This traditional, hand-made ‘Nagae-Itahake’ Brush is used for painting hard to reach areas - for example, the nape of the neck with Kabuki Oshiroi (white face paint). It is made in the traditional way and is the exact one used by the Maiko and Geisha of Gion.

Japanese Geisha Maiko ‘Yachiyo Hake’ Cosmetic Brush Medium

This traditional, hand-made ‘Yachiyo-Hake’ Brush is for dusting your cheeks and the area around the eyes with ‘Kona Oshiroi’ Face Powder. It is made in the traditional way and is the exact one used by the Maiko and Geisha of Gion.

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Sponge Puff & Dish

This absorbent sponge puff and plastic dish are for mixing and applying the ‘Kabuki Oshiroi’ Shiro-Nuri (Doran) white face paint. The #60 Itahake brush is recommended for mixing and actually painting on the Doran but this pad is used to remove excess water and to smooth it over prior to applying the ‘Kona Oshiroi’ Face Powder.

Japanese Geisha Maiko SHIRO-NURI Pro Face Powder Puff

This soft acrylic Powder Puff is for dusting your cheeks and the area around the eyes with ‘Kona Oshiroi’ Face Powder.

Japanese Geisha Maiko Kyoto Lipstick Cosmetic Brush Medium

It is made of natural bristle and has a beautiful dark red & black lacquer stem with the characters ‘Tokusei’ or ‘Specially Made’ in gold. It measures 4½” (11 cm) in length and has a clear protective cover for the point. The is excellent for applying lipstick or for eye makeup details.

I’m somewhat certain that I got you all excited and are now wondering where you can actually get these makeup and tools. Well, bad news is that, as far as I know, there are no stores that offer them. Good news is that they’re available online. I’ve been searching and earlier I finally found them over at Hannari-Ya, an eBay power seller.

If you’re looking into trying out the Geisha look, Hannari-Ya also offers a Geisha or Kabuki Real Pro White Makeup Set for US$225. See the image below for product inclusions.

Disclaimer: Product labels were lifted from Hannari-Ya.

Geisha photo courtesy of TPOTY.

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POSTED IN: Asian Beauty, Bento Beauty Tips, Bento Beauty Tools, Eye, Face, Lip, Makeup