What makeup does a geisha wear?

A geisha typically wears makeup that is made from natural powders and dyes. The base makeup of a geisha consists of a thin paste that is made from either a rice-based powder or a lead-based powder that has been mixed with water and applied to the whole face.

Geishas remove their real eyebrows, painting straight, thick ones on instead. They stain their lips red by using benibana or beni, which comes from a bright yellow or orange flower. Their teeth are often blacked out with oxidized iron filing that have been steeped in an acidic solution, to create a more dramatic appearance.