Bintsuke-abura is the soy-based wax that many geishas use as their base. However, if you can’t get your hands on this, just buy a wax that will be safe to use cosmetically. This wax not only enables makeup to be applied smoothly and opaquely, it also helps to keep makeup out of the pores so that your skin won’t get clogged.
The strip of skin around your hairline gives the illusion of wearing a white mask. Don’t forget to also paint your eyelids, lips and eyebrows with the white foundation.
In Japanese culture, the back of the neck is considered a very alluring area. You may need to use several layers, as your face, chest and neck must be completely white.
Make sure that the eyebrows you draw in are not too thick, and that they have a gentle arch as opposed to being straight across. Some geishas incorporate a little red into the beginnings of their eyebrows. Do what you wish according to your preferences.
Some geishas draw red eye makeup in a small dot at the corner of their eye, while others draw diamond shapes, or simply layer a light layer of red without forming a specific shape.
In traditional Japanese culture, a small, pouty mouth is considered beautiful. This is why geishas draw their mouths smaller than they actually are.
The loops should look like a circular rings of hair. There should be space inside the loop, unlike a bun. Don’t worry if the rings are droopy or if you can see through them; you will correct this later.
The hair sponge or donut should give you a bump in you hair, which gives it more volume.
The Shimada hairstyle depends on the definition and volume of the buns. If you don’t use hair donuts, your hair will look droopy and asymmetrical, which is not the look you want to go for.
In general, geishas wear simple and elegant kimonos, and stay away from loud and lavishly decorated ones.
The kimono may be too long for you. If it is, pull up the right and left sides of the kimono until the bottom is grazing the floor. Then, tie a cord around your waist over the extra fabric. This will keep the kimono elevated off the ground. The cord will be covered, so don’t worry if it doesn’t go with your kimono.
Geishas tie their obi in the back, as opposed to courtesans, who tie it in the front.
Geishas typically use two fans in their dances.
