Query on Face Paint (Black Face Paint and Unfortunate Implications)

[Ashy-kun]

One of the new cosplays I want to try this year is the character Kinkotsuman, from the wrestling series Kinnikuman. Because the character is skeletal, I'll be wearing a skull mask, and to add an extra level of reality to the mask, I wanted to have it look like my face isn't quite underneath the mask, i.e. having the areas around my eyes black, my nose black, et cetera.

My plan is/was to get black face paint and paint my face black, but a thought struck me. This may just me being overly cautious or assuming the worst, but I can't help but think about the fact that painting my face black for underneath the skull mask would look a lot like I was blacking up. I was just wondering if this concern is something I should take note of, as I wouldn't want to offend anyone by having painted my face black, and being around the con with the skull mask off (say to drink some water or so), and looking like I was doing something tasteless like a stereotype or a minstrel act.

Would it be wisest to not go with the face paint, or am I just making a mountain of a molehill, and that so long as I'm not making it look like a very obvious blackface (say, with the exaggerated red lips and other stereotypes), I would be fine?

[Manwards]

I'd say you were being too sensitive - at a convention where everyone is wearing outlandish costumes, a bit of face paint won't stand out. To be cautious you could only paint the areas that will be seen while the mask is on, ie. around your eyes. It wouldn't offend ME no matter what, but then, very little does.

[Carmina]

I don't personally think that it would be offensive (although this is coming from a white person's perspective) but yeah if you want to be cautious just paint the visable bits.

[Ashy-kun]

I did think I might be sounding a little too cautious, and thinking of situations that wouldn't happen. But thank-you for answering with your own opinions. I'll probably wait until I have a more concrete answer from some of the staff, just to be extra sure, but I suppose that as long as the black face paint isn't being made into an actual blackface look, then I should be fine. Besides which, I should only really have the mask off if I'm getting some water or something. I mean, I wouldn't be making my lips red, and there wouldn't be any of the offensively stereotypical stuff like the hair, since I'd be wearing the wig I'd be getting for Kinkotsuman. I wouldn't be looking like a caricature, like Mr. Popo or Jynx.

[Kat]

I think realistically all you have to do is think about your actions and intention - what are you doing, for what purpose? Using make-up on parts of your face *under* a mask to create a skeleton; a method very commonly used in theatrical and street performances.

Apart from maybe skeletons (in which case, they can get in line), I honestly do not think someone could take offense. It's good to be cautious but I believe you are over-thinking this

[Ashy-kun]

Many thanks to everyone for giving their input. I thought I might have been overthinking it, but that's just my way, worrywart that I am. I'll go with the make-up under the mask, and if anyone asks me about why I look like I'm blacked up (if they catch me with the mask during a breather or so) then I'll just explain. Once again, thanks for the advice.