Senior maiko skin - San nin mae

This is the skin of a third, fourth or fifth year maiko, also known as san nin mae / yon nin mae. Maiko who paint their faces this way have had their mizuage and are now considered to be senior maiko, and are about half way towards their goal to becoming a full-fledged geiko. To signify that they are now older, they will put less red and pink in their makeup, to give them a more grown-up look. This stage is where the flowers of the hanamachi are really starting to blossom.

Shiroi means white in Japanese, and o-shiroi refers to the white makeup so distinguishable of maiko and geisha. This makeup is highlighted with red lipstick, and also red at the corners of the eyes, traditionally believed for keeping demons away. Red is a very prominent color in maiko ensembles and is present, lightly, in geiko ensemble too. It symbolizes youth and femininity.

While dressed up in their regular ensemble geiko and maiko will paint "eriashi" on the back of their neck, leaving two prongs of bare skin. However, a geiko's wig usually covers up their eriashi, though they still paint it as such. While wearing formal ensembles they will paint "sanbonashi" which is three prongs of unpainted skin.

During the period of Odori when geiko who do tea ceremony style their own hair, they will use o-shiroi on their neck and back but not on their faces, instead using western-style make-up. Only geiko do this, maiko do not.