I'm both an actress and a traditional Japanese dance (Nihon Buyo) performer.

Today, I'll show you how I put on stage makeup for my dance performances.

Let's begin.

I'll start with cleansing.

I use this solid soap by Muse to wash my face

as I've been told that solid soap is a better choice.

I'll wash my face now.

Okay, I'm done with cleansing.

Usually, the next step is moisturization.

But...

I'm not doing that.

I'll put on the "Habutae" cloth.

It looks like this.

I'd cover my tied-up hair with this before putting on the wig.

Let me show you how to wear this.

Wearing this hair net first.

Okay.

Here we go.

Pull these drawstrings behind like this to tighten it.

That's all for the "Habutae" cloth.

Next, I'll work on my face.

In "Nihon Buyo" dance,

putting on makeup is also putting on our "expressions."

I'm going to "erase" my brows.

"Mayutsubushi" paste.

It kind of looks like clay.

Yes.

The shape reminds me of a crayon or chalk.

I'll melt it.

[Eyebrow Erasing]

Apply it and use your finger to spread it in line with your brow hair.

If you put on too much, it'd appear thick.

So when you think it's too much,

you can use your nails to scratch the excess off.

Try it.

The hair at the start of our brows tends to face upward.

That'd mean it'd pop out.

So I'm going to apply more in that area.

For those who find it difficult to use your fingers to do it,

use the tip of a brush.

It actually makes it easier to smooth it down like this.

Good.

All right.

Moving on to makeup base.

This is the base.

It's what I use.

I'd fully cover my neck, back, collarbone area,

and my whole face with it.

Remember I skipped moisturizing?

There's no need to because I'll be applying pomade.

Pick up a small chunk

and put it on your palm like this.

I'll use the warmth of my hands to melt it and spread it on.

Try to use your palms as much as possible when applying it.

Use this part and here to spread it.

I'll start with my neck.

For today,

I'm not going to cover this area.

For an actual performance, I'd cover both front and back.

Done.

Next up.

"Shironuri" makeup.

This is the white powder.

Yes.

Next...

I'll dip this brush in water

and pick some up.

Like this.

Let's do this.

[White Makeup]

Using this MITSUYOSHI sponge.

Looks good.

You can apply just one layer, but I'll do two.

I'd add more water to the brush for the second time to make it less thick.

By applying a watered-down layer after the first time,

it'd give the look a glow.

So I alter the second layer's thickness.

I press my face with the sponge instead of hitting with it.

Then dry it.

But if there's unevenness, you'll need to tap it out.

Done.

All white.

Moving on.

This is face powder.

It helps to calm the skin

and removes excess water.

Okay.

For the white powder on my lashes,

I'll use a gauze towel to remove it.

Okay, next.

I'll glam up my eyes now.

This is rouge for stage makeup by Shiseido.

This is what it looks like inside.

Use a plate such as this and press the stick against it.

Use your brush

to soften it and pick up some color.

Left eye first.

Hmm.

I'm going for it.

[Eye Makeup]

Use the tip of the brush

to spread the color here to the eye bag area.

Like this.

Depending on the role I play, I can make my eyes appear like slits

or make them round and cute.

I'd adjust my eye makeup according to the character I play.

It depends on the theater.

There are customers seated in front, at the back,

on the left, and on the right.

As I'm being looked at from all sides,

I bear that in mind when I do my makeup.

I'll add a little color to my eye's inner corner in line with its shape.

Yes.

Looks great.

I'm going to draw my eyebrows next.

The most nerve-racking part.

I'll do a rough sketch with red first.

I'll be drawing the "sasa mayu," brows shaped like bamboo grass.

Okay, next step.

I can do black,

but I'd prefer to use this dark brown shade in the middle.

This is oil-based.

I'll apply it on top of the red.

Doing it now.

Good.

I'll follow up with the black shade meant for brows.

This black shade.

If this is a brow, I'll be drawing a black line on top.

Then I'll smudge it downward.

I'll mix it with the red and brown to create a gradation of colors.

That way, the brows will look natural.

There.

Next, I'll apply rouge to my lips.

Make sure that you draw it smaller than your actual lips.

I have the habit of pursing my lips when I dance.

So I need to paint it right to keep the color on the upper lip intact.

Okay, done!

Let's move on to blush.

This is Cheek Color #01 by MITSUYOSHI.

I'm using this.

Grab some of it like this.

Rub it on the lid to blend it.

Swipe it on in a shape of a "C" like this.

By putting on this blush,

the pink stands out very nicely when I stand on a fully lit stage.

It creates a very lady-like and sweet image.

So blush is a must.

Adding this pink makes the look more beautiful.

Yes.

Next step.

Not sure what the brush is called.

Looks like this.

Use this

to grab some powder.

I'm going to contour my nose.

Add some pink here.

[Nose Contouring]

Nice.

Lastly, I'll use this small brush with the same powder.

One stroke down from here.

And one stroke here.

Yes.

And this is my final step.

Eyeliner.

Rubotan LINE LIQUID.

The black shade.

I think this is specially made for stage makeup.

I'm going to draw along my eyelids.

After putting on eyeliner,

never ever open your eyes wide immediately.

Use a fan

to dry them before opening your eyes.

There.

The lines are dry.

That wraps up the face makeup.

After makeup, I'd wear my kimono, wig, and headpiece.

And that completes the look.

Something like this.

Yes.

This "yukata" robe that I'm wearing today

was designed by me with advice from others.

When a performance is over and everything's packed,

it's vital to properly remove the makeup and moisturize.

These things are not good for the skin, so it's important to moisturize it.

This is what I use.

I love using Curél products.

This is Moisture Facial Lotion II.

When I feel that my skin's dry, I'd use Melvita's Face and Body Oil.

If I put this on first followed by lotion and facial milk,

it makes my skin very moisturized and bouncy.

I love fragrances too.

These are scented sachets.

When I move, they emit a nice smell

and that calms my heart.

I highly recommend them.

This is my makeup routine before a performance.

When I do my makeup, I'd make sure my heart is calm.

It's a precious time that I use to face myself in the mirror.

Thank you for watching this video.

If you're interested, do come and watch my performances.

It'd be great to see you.

Thank you and see you again!