painted face
Clown's colorful countenance
A painted face is one with cosmetics, theatrical makeup, or decorative markings applied.
The phrase often carries connotations of artifice or concealment—a mask hiding true feelings or identity.
It appears in descriptions of clowns, actors, tribal warriors, and heavily made-up women: The painted faces of the circus performers.
In historical contexts, it was a derogatory term for Native Americans who wore ceremonial face paint.
- maskFace-worn concealment
- death maskMold of deceased's face
- clownComedic performer in makeup
- red noseCrimson facial protrusion
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
theatre · kabuki · geisha · stage makeup · carnival · mime · disguise · performer · circus · street performer · costume · tribal · ritual · greasepaint · jester · harlequin · stage · festival
- school spiritmascot, pep rallies, school pride, mascots, pep rally
- puppet traitsstrings, jointed, wooden, fabric, hand-operated
- puppet partsstring, crossbar, control bar, wire, thread
- Roman triumphstriumphal arch, laurel wreath, chariot, quadriga, Capitol
- Chinese OperaBeijing opera, folk opera, dan, silk robes, headdress
- marionette partsstrings, crossbar, control bar, wooden body, costume