When I was living in Japan, I had the opportunity to go to Kyoto and dress up as a Geisha girl. These pictures were taken at a professional Geisha studio. My friends and I had our 15 minutes of fame as we walked outside and tourists stopped in their tracks to take pictures of us. We didn’t have the heart to tell them we weren’t real. =/
Since Halloween is this weekend, a lot of people have come to my page by looking up the word “Geisha” so I thought I should give you the real deal. Here are pictures of the process – no modern touches like I’ve seen a lot of people try to do online. This is really how the Geishas back then (and now) wore/wear their makeup.
People who try to duplicate this look always focus on the face and never do the detail of the back – leaving just a bit of bare skin at the nape of the neck for added allure and femininity.
I broke the rule – Geishas aren’t supposed to smile.
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it doesn’t even look like you! everytime i see this pic i think that. but you make a very beautiful geisha!
Comment by anh — October 30, 2009 @ 7:47 am
awww.. thanks Anh! I was shocked when I looked in the mirror, too!
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
awwww makes me miss Japan!!! this was so much fun and even though we got crazy lost it was worth it. its funny b/c when i got back here and showed my family and friends this photo they did not believe it was me. miss you!
Comment by annie — October 30, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Annie!
I miss it, too! We had an AWESOME time! One of my favorite memories with you! =)
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
DOLLFACE!!!!
i had to take a double take!!! you are beautiful!!!….wow!!! you look like a walking porcelain doll…thank you for posting this i am planning on being a geisha for halloween!! i figure i can stash stash goodies in my obi and still keep warm!!! did they use your real hair? or is that a wig!!!……………………..ugh so beautiful!
Comment by xppinkx — October 30, 2009 @ 8:55 am
Hey PinK!
Oh no that was definitely a wig (and a SUPER DUPER heavy one at that!)
You can stash so many things in the side pockets of your kimono – not your obi silly! That’s what geishas used to do in the day!
Thanks so much! Can’t wait to see your sexy geisha self! =)
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
u look gorgeous!!
Comment by Blovet Beauty — October 30, 2009 @ 9:00 am
thank you, thank you!
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
how cool! this makes me wanna go to japan even more! I didn’t know you could do that in kyoto… fun! you look amazing!
*loves*
Comment by toothfairynotes — October 30, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
You sure can! It’s the best in Kyoto because that’s where most of the geishas lived. They do have studios in Tokyo, too – but from what I’ve seen, they don’t do as good of a job.
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 6:30 pm
Wow, amazing, that is beautiful!
Thanks for the comment on my Halloween blast from the past post
Comment by Trina — October 30, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
Thank you!
You’re welcome. =)
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 6:30 pm
Ahhh Jeannie- you look amazing!!! And I love how they applied the make-up the traditional way. I don’t think the tourist would have been upset knowing you weren’t the real thing, they would have been pleased as punch anyways because you look so gorgeous!
ps- I was thinking that exact thing! “I was TokyoStarGirl could do my Gaga make-up!” Le sigh. I’ll try to do the best I can on my own
We’ll definitely post pics.
Comment by AsianCajuns (Lauren) — October 30, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
Awww – thanks, Lauren!
I know things will turn out fantastically – can’t wait to see!
Have a fun & safe Halloween, girls!
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 6:31 pm
thanks for visiting! very interesting pictures u’ve got here! i’ve never been to japan… but if i’m there, i’ll definitely wanna give it a try too.
the origins charcoal face mask IS very good – gif it a try if u haven already! it doesnt look good applying a thick layer of black charcoal mask on ur face but u’ll be satisfied with the end results. if u look closely in2 the mirror, u’ll notice that ur facial pores are cleaned thru!
Comment by mica — October 30, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
You def should! It was a very memorable experience. =)
I haven’t given it a try yet, but I do love their face wash: Checks & Balances.
Will give the mask a try sometime!
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
I love how you gave the tourists a thrill! You all look so lovely.
Comment by Annie Spandex — October 30, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
Thanks so much, Annie!
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
Oh my gosh, I thought that was a magazine photo! You look totally awesome.
You all look so great, interesting experience I’d imagine.
xxx
Comment by dustjacket attic — October 30, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
Aww – you are sweet!
It was such an awesome experience!
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
You look amazing! That sounds like so much fun walking around Japan like that. The shoes don’t look too comfy though…
Comment by Tammy — October 30, 2009 @ 8:58 pm
Thanks! The shoes weren’t as hard to walk in as they look. I don’t think I could wear them all the time, but for an hour – sure!
Comment by tokyostargirl — October 30, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
Wow! You look amazing!! The outfit looks incredibly beautiful too.
Comment by Anna — October 30, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Thank you! Yeah I really loved that kimono – wish I could have taken it home!
Comment by tokyostargirl — November 1, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
That’s so pretty… being turned into a geisha is something I want to do in my life.
Comment by Katy — October 31, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
Then you must go to Japan! =)
Comment by tokyostargirl — November 1, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
gorgeous!! i absolutely love this
i thought about getting a geisha makeover when i went to japan too BUUTT we ran out of time.. haha. maybe next time 
Comment by Izumi — October 31, 2009 @ 7:41 pm
Oh you should! Let me know and I’ll see if I can remember the place I went to. =)
Comment by tokyostargirl — November 1, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
wow you look beautiful! i’m glad you posted this x
Missy
For all things fashion:
http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com
Comment by Missy — November 1, 2009 @ 4:17 am
Oh wow. I love this look. The geisha look is so delicate yet hardy. Perfection amongst all the horrors of the night, I’m sure
Comment by Anika — November 1, 2009 @ 4:43 am
Yeah I loved it too, too bad I couldn’t prance around in it all day!
Comment by tokyostargirl — November 1, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
oh wow! what a transformation!
awesome photos 
looks like u had fun! 
Comment by phoebe — November 1, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
Thanks! I did have a lot of fun – great memories. =)
Comment by tokyostargirl — November 1, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
[...] REAL Giesha makeup and costumes. Now, that’s tradition. – Tokyo Star Girl [...]
Pingback by Share The Love: Sunday Reads « Lazy Beautiful — November 1, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
Thank you!!!! OMG THATS SO COOOOOOOOOOOOOL !!!!
Comment by Thu-Hien — November 2, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
i love this post… i’m pretty obsessed with anything geisha. what a great experience!
Comment by PinkBow — November 3, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
these pictures are so cool. i had no idea geisha are not allowed to smile
nevertheless..you look awesome =D
Comment by Miumiu — November 3, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
Great pictures. You all look great! It is really neat to see how the makeup is applied. I didn’t know they left a little at the back for femininity.
Thanks so much for visiting No. 15. I the photos do look a bit eerie but I really like them too.
Comment by Amy — November 4, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
soooooooooooo pretty!!!!!
Comment by Patty Ann — November 5, 2009 @ 10:55 am