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How to Create the Classic Prima Diva Makeup Look
Dancers on stage draw us in to the story they are telling. It is easy to become enchanted by their beautiful faces. What is it that has us so spellbound? The way dance makeup is used to intensify a dancer’s eyes contributes greatly to this. It looks incredibly complicated to achieve but with a little direction, you too can have this perfect classic dancer look!
JAM cosmetics calls the classic dance performance makeup look, Prima Diva. The most important part of this look is the expressive eyes. First we should discuss some basic contouring patterns for eye makeup.
“Contouring” the eye means you are using darker eye shadow to create dimension. This is done in three main ways. You can use these techniques together or separately depending on the look you wish to create.
1. Using a dark, earthy eye shadow color, apply across the whole lash line blending the shadow to gradually fade as you go past the crease towards the brow bone.
2. Create a blended, sideways “v” or “c” shape with contour eye shadow color, on the outer third of the eyelid.
3. Apply contour eye shadow color in the crease.
Using these dance makeup techniques allows the audience to properly read the dancer’s eyes. You accentuate the natural shape and dimension of the eye. This helps the audience follow the dancer’s gaze. Contouring the eye with performance cosmetics helps the audience see if the dancer’s eyes are open, closed, or looking at something specifically. It also gives the eyes a larger, wider almond shape.
You will use several of these contouring methods to create the perfect dance eye in the Prima Diva look. Follow these simple steps to achieve this classic dance makeup look.
Creating the Prima Diva Look
1. Apply your foundation. Remember it is so important to BLEND, BLEND, and BLEND!
2. Shape and fill your eyebrow. Use a shadow color that is a similar o your eyebrow.
3. Highlight under the brow line with a white liner.
4. Use a light/medium, warm-toned, neutral eye shadow over the entire eyelid. When using performance cosmetics neutral/warm earth-toned eye shadows are perfect for stage performances. They compliment dancer’s eyes and skin under the stage lights.
5. Blend a deep, rich, dark brown shadow into the crease of the eye to create dimension.
6. Define the eye by lining the upper lashes with waterproof black eye liner. Use a chocolate brown shadow underneath the lash line; apply this with a small angled brush. Don’t use liquid under the eye, it’s very messy! To complete this step, use a white pencil to create a highlight between the upper and lower lash lines.
7. Highlight the inside of lower lash line with a white eye pencil. Don’t use black liner as it will make the eye appear smaller to the audience.
8. Next, apply your false lashes. Use black mascara to coat and bind them. A false lash will enhance the natural shape of your eye.
9. Apply blush, again remember to BLEND! You certainly don’t want clown cheeks.
10. Line and the fill the entire lip in with your lip pencil. A quick tip: when lining your lips always go from the outside corner to the middle of the lip. Then fill the lips with lipstick.
Your makeup should be dark enough to be clearly seen from the first 8 to 12 rows of the theatre. Applying performance cosmetics may seem difficult at first, especially if you have a small eye lid, but practice makes perfect! You will be applying the Prima Diva look like a pro in no time.
