PHDC Stage Makeup Application

Dancers, even young ones, wear makeup on stage in order to make their faces and expressions visible to the audience. Makeup can emphasize facial features that would otherwise be washed out by stage lights. 

Follow these simple steps to create a perfect, stage-ready face. 

1. Foundation: is used to even out the complexion and reduce shadows from stage lights. Always apply foundation to a clean moisturized face. Choose a shade very similar to the color of the face. Using a makeup sponge, apply an even coat of foundation to the entire face, including under the chin, onto the neck, around the ears and up to the hairline. Blend carefully to ensure an even application. Set the foundation with a small amount of powder.

2. Eye Liner: Lining the eyes with black eyeliner makes them really stand out. To line the upper lid, apply a thin, straight line starting from the inner corner. For a dramatic effect, allow the line to extend beyond the natural eyelid. To line the lower lid, start at the outer corner of the eye and draw a thin line under the lower lashes.                   

3. Eye shadow:  Apply over the entire eyelid. Choose 3 colors from the “brown” family that will make your eyes stand out on stage, as stage lights tend to make the eyes appear smaller. Apply the medium shade (light tan) to the entire eyelid, Apply the lightest shade (white shimmer) under the eyebrow and in the inner corner of the eye. Apply the darkest shade (dark brown) near the eye lash-line sweeping out slightly to the outer corner of the eye, also apply this shade in the crease from the middle of the eye to the outer corner. Slightly blend the colors together. 

4. Mascara: gently sweep two to three coats on upper and lower lashes. 

5. Lipstick: Carefully apply a bright shade of a deep redish lipstick to the upper and lower lips. Blot softly with a tissue. Lips can be lined with a red lipstick liner before applying lipstick to create more definition.

6. Blush: Blush adds color as well as definition to the face. Choose a rose or peach colored blush similar to the natural color of the cheeks. Smile and apply blush to the apples of the cheeks, sweeping up and out toward the hairline. 

7. Powder: Use a powder brush to apply loose or compact powder and set the makeup and prevent shine on more oily prone skin.

YOUNGER DANCERS: 

For dancers under age 5 you may prefer a scaled down version of a full stage makeup look. Focus on using lipstick, blush and mascera. For mascera you may want to use waterproof tinted or clear depending on your dancer. 

PHDC Stage Makeup Colors