Oshiroi

The oshiroi is mixed with water before being applied with a wide, flat brush over the neck, face and back.

'nape legs') is worn, forming two triangular stripes of unpainted skin from the nape of the neck downward.

[2] Both geisha and maiko, whilst aiming for a white-faced appearance, do not use a heavy application of oshiroi unless worn for special performances, instead blending the foundation into the skin with the use of a blusher, known as tonoko.

Younger apprentices may, in some regions, wear only oshiroi and blusher at the beginning of their apprenticeship to mark their inexperience, with the addition of black and red eyeliner at a later stage.

[citation needed] The style of how a maiko wears oshiroi may also vary depending on the region of Japan an apprentice works in; in some districts, apprentices may only wear a light application of oshiroi, whereas in others, a heavier application is more common.

In contrast to geisha and maiko, kabuki actors apply their oshiroi thickly, creating a bright white face visible from the furthest seats in the audience.