Geiko skin

Attention: this is the formal version of the regular geiko skin, which can be found here. This means this skin has three white-painted prongs in the neck, instead of the normal two.

This type of makeup is worn by fully-fledged geisha. No longer do they need to look cute and youthful, now it is time to wear more sophisticated makeup, and look as iki as you wish to be.

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.