(Untitled)

[njyoder]

So I was watching part of this documentary where a low-ranking geisha was putting on her makeup. It wasn't put on like you'd expect, with those pads and foundation. She was using this brush thing (with softish bristles) to paint on a shiny, semi-fluid coat of white makeup. For some reason, I found this really compelling. It's hard to explain;

Comments

[apis_cerana]

I think there are way fewer "traditional" geisha now for that reason. Most of the "geisha" put on makeup for the role and study dance and music, etc., but they treat it as a day job instead of a way of life.

By the way I feel that the term "Asian eyes" is kinda problematic because it's not like we all have monolidded eyes. There are quite a few East Asian people who have big eyes with folds (there are a lot in the northernmost and southernmost regions).

[apis_cerana]

*there are a lot in the northernmost and southernmost region IN JAPAN.
And there are quite a few people who have eyes with folds in the rest of Asia.

[njyoder]

Ahh, I didn't know that there we're Japanese without monolidded eyes (some indigenous population?). I just called it "asian eyes" because I dunno what else to call it and everyone understands. I can call them "monolid eyes," but that confuses me. Shouldn't it be "foldless" or something?

[apis_cerana]

Well...there actually are quite a few non-indigenous Japanese who have lids and big eyes. It's just a stereotype that all Asians have thin eyes. :P If you look up Japanese celebs, a lot of them have big eyes because it adds to their "cuteness", which is the main standard of beauty there.

I personally don't like the term "Asian eyes" because Asian eye shapes are so diverse. Even me, with my monolid eyes, have bigger eyes than a lot of white folks I know.
It's called "monolid" because there is one visible lid. In a lot of cases, there is a double fold but it's not as visible because of the epicanthic fold.