Hair & Makeup
Stage Makeup 101
Stage Makeup is used for dancers of all ages, so that we do not lose their faces and their beautiful features on stage in the mix of costumes and dramatic stage lighting.
Stage makeup is to be more dramatic than everyday makeup, so that the facial features and expressions can be better distinguished from a far distance and under bright lights.
Stage Make-Up Requirements for Girls:
Foundation and Powder
Brown Eyeshadow with White or light shade for highlighting under the eyebrow
Pink Blush
Eyeliner
Mascara (or False Eyelashes for older dancers)
Deep Red Lipstick
Stage Make-Up Requirements for Boys
Foundation or Powder to eliminate shiny skin so we can see the features of their face.
Contour powder or blush to highlight the cheeks.
If your dancer has fair skin and hair, a minimal amount of brown/natural eye shadow can be used to bring out the eye and eyebrows.
How to apply Stage Makeup
Start with clean & moisturized skin
Start with the eyeliner!
This may seem backwards but eyeliner doesn't always go right the first try and you don't want to be removing foundation/blush etc. each time you clean away.
We recommend a Liquid or Gel eyeliner as the best choice. A Pencil will smudge and leave the eye looking dark and hazy from a distance. We want a clean sharp line, so the eye is clearly defined from a distance and the eyeliner won't budge from wear or wiping.
Next Apply Mascara
For the same reason as eyeliner, if it gets messy you wont have to worry about wiping away your work!
We recommend WATER PROOF MASCARA!
Next Apply Foundation and/or Translucent Powder - You can use a makeup sponge for the powder for a more controlled application.
Apply Blush - The Blush should start on the check bone, directly underneath the pupil and then pull upwards on the face towards the top of the ears.
Finish off the eyes with a natural eye shadow
You can use a brow pencil or eyeshadow to darken in the eye brows so that the eyes and brows are not lost under the lights.
Finish off with some beautiful red lipstick!
Try to avoid bright reds/oranges. Use a deeper more natural red.
Lip liner or lip stain works great at preventing smudging!
Performance Bun
Hair should be in a CLEAN, SLICK, WHISPY FREE BUN!
Items needed for recital bun:
Gel and Mouse
Hair Spray
Comb (toothbrush for fine or curly hair)
Natural Color Pony tail holder
LOTS of bobby pins
Hair net
Start with damp hair
Pull and brush hair taught and into a high pony
Before you secure the pony tail with the elastic, use a HARDY amount of gel/mouse. The hair should be stiff and in place.
Ensure there are no bumps or loose pieces of hair, then secure the pony tail.
Use the gel/mouse on the pony tail
As you begin wrapping the pony tail around itself to form the bun, use AMPLE amounts of bobby pins. Make sure the bobby pins are going from the bun to the scalp, simply sticking bobby pins into the bun but not securing it to the head will allow it to fall out.
Once you have secured the bun to the head, take the hair net and wrap it around the bun then secure with 1-2 bobby pins.
Finish off with some hair spray all over and re-gel anything that may have gotten out of place. You can use a tooth brush and gel to get baby hairs and fly aways to stay in place.
Send your dancer with extra supplies to keep with them backstage!
Hair Accessories
When in doubt go right!
Head bands: Make sure head bands are centered on dancers head and secured to the with bobby pins
Scrunchies & Scarfs: Wrap scrunchy/Scarf around bun and secure with bobby pins
Hair Jewel Pins: Place to the right side of the bun.
Hair Bow: Center the bow above the bun and let the ribbon fall on either side
ALL other hair pieces are placed to the right side of the bun and secured with bobby pins.