Creating a successful dance recital makeup look can be straightforward and easy with this guide. Concentrate on these five areas and a beautiful look can be achieved for all ages.

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Skin: Prepare a good base for your dance recital makeup. Start with a clean, dry, moisturized face. Use a sponge to apply Dual Mineral Powder Foundation over your entire face, blending it into your neck. Remember if you apply wet you will get a more opaque look, dry and you will achieve more sheer coverage.

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Eyebrows: Get your eyebrows ready by shaping them with a brow brush. Next use a thin eyeliner brush to draw a line down the center of your eyebrow, your brow brush can be used to smooth out and spread color to the rest of your brow.

If you are doing dance recital makeup for a younger dancer keep these tips in mind, an eye shadow slightly darker than your hair color will give a less severe look then an eyebrow pencil. A thicker eyebrow gives a more youthful look; a thinner severe line creates a sophisticated dramatic older look.

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Eyes: There are several steps to dance recital makeup when it comes to your eyes. Begin by using a eye shadow brush to highlight the brow bone and inner corner of your eye. This should be done with a shimmery white shadow. Using a damp brush to apply will give you a stronger highlight.

Use a brown eyes shadow at your lash line, fade the intensity of it as you bring it up to your highlighted brow. Very lightly apply this shadow under your lower lashes. When doing this begin in the middle of the lash and draw it out past the corner of your eye. Do NOT begin your line in the corner of your eye. A JAM white highlighter eye pencil is perfect for in between the upper and lower lash line. For dancers who are seven and up finish the eye with JAM black water resistant mascara.

It is important to remember ADDING color is much easier then SUBTRACTING once you’ve already applied it to your eye. Start out lighter first.

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Cheeks: Use a blush brush to apply your cheek color. Begin at the hairline and draw the brush toward the apples of your cheeks. Then use a large powder brush to blend by applying Dual Mineral Powder Foundation over your cheeks and face. Make certain you aren’t creating “clown circles” and never let your blush travel below the lip line.

For young dancers it is especially important to create a soft blended blush line. A severe blush line will make a dancer’s face appear older.

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Lips: For a dramatic look line your lips and fill with Warm Brandy Lip Liner. Then use a red lipstick. Try Fierce “red” Mineral Lipstick.

While lip color can be a matter of artistic preference I believe younger dancers should avoid the bold reds. Lining lips and filling lips with a pink mauve lip liner and using a rose colored lipstick creates a perfect young dancer look. Try using Wild Child “rose” mineral lipstick. A mauve color will still highlight a dancer’s mouth and help communicate their expressions without aging them unnecessarily.

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Following these steps will help you complete your entire dance recital makeup look. Feel confident knowing you are looking your best as you step on to stage. And remember simple adjustments at the eyebrows, cheeks, and lips allow this look to easily transition to younger dancers, giving them a wonderful youthful look that can still be seen clearly on stage.

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About the Author

Jessica Dupont is a former Professional NYC Dancer and Makeup Artist. She owns JAM cosmetics, which is a line of ULTIMATE performance cosmetics for dancers and cheerleaders. JAM specializes in dance makeup, cheer makeup and is known for their beautiful half lashes and step-by-step video tutorials.

Find out 4 secrets the pro’s use AND 3 things you NEED TO KNOW to look gorgeous and stand out from the crowd, by getting Jessica’s free dance makeup e-Guide NOW at www.JAMcosmetics.net.

Competition naturally brings with it nervous anticipation and butterflies. Not only do you think about your performance, but also if you have packed everything you need. By being prepared with a checklist ahead of time can stop your worrying about forgetting something and let your many hours of dance practice shine through. Being prepared will help you perform at your highest level.

I have consulted moms, dancers, cheerleaders, and teachers and compiled a list of must haves for performance weekends. These seven categories will guide you to ensure you have everything you need for competition to make your experience the best you can.

Makeup: A dancer’s makeup look is a crucial part of their appearance. Make certain you have the makeup to execute the look that has been determined by your studio owner/director/ or cheer coach. Remember you’ll need your makeup to be water-resistant, highly pigmented, and long lasting (JAM cosmetics are all of these things and designed specifically for performers).

Choose the products you pack to use on your skin with care. You are going to be wearing your look for a long time you don’t want your skin to end up irritated or broken out at the end of the weekend. Look for hypo-allergenic/non-comedogenic, talc and paraben-free products that are as naturally derived as possible.

You will want to make sure you pack all of your application tools, such as foundation brushes and sponges, as well as your makeup brushes for lip, eye, blush, and brow. If you are using JAM cosmetics, bring a small water dropper bottle with you, it can be used to turn your black eye shadow into a water-resistant, smudge-resistant eyeliner.

Beauty Aids: Knowing that you have a razor and shaving cream packed will spare you the panic when you realize you have forgotten to shave! Be ready for a broken or torn nail with a nail clippers and file, nail polish remover, and clear nail polish. Keep in mind you’ll be cleaning and caring for the skin that will be in performance makeup for long days. Makeup remover wipes, tissues, cotton pads, moisturizers, and skincare products are a must.

Hair Products: A supply of hair gel, hairspray, hairnets, and bobby pins will ensure that a hair is never out of place. If your look requires hair pieces, hair jewelry, or hair glitter make certain you have it packed them in your bag as well. Finally a spray bottle of water, brush, hair dryer, and curling iron will help you complete your look. Knowing your hair is firmly locked in place will eliminate one more distraction between you and your performance.

Costume Stuff: Double check that you have all of your costumes, including the head/arm/leg/and body pieces. In addition you’ll need all the necessary jewelry or props you are responsible for. Save yourself from having to dig through bags or beg those around you when an emergency hits pack a mini sewing kit and thread that matches all of your costumes. Your sewing kit should include needles, safety pins, and scissors.

You can make certain that everything stays in place not only on your costume but also on you by packing hot glue or super glue, double sided tape, and body adhesive. Save yourself from the worries of tears, scuffs, or snaps by packing shoe polish to match your shoes, spare tights in the appropriate color, and a spare set of clear and tan bra straps.

First Aid: The occasional bump, scratch, or ache won’t take you out of your game if you come with the appropriate first aid supplies. Tylenol, Antacid, and Dramamine are good basics to have packed. Clear Band-aids, Neosporin, Icy Hot/Biofreeze and instant ice packs are a must. And also remember to pack an ace bandage, if you need this to perform cover it with foundation so it matches your skin and is as inconspicuous as possible.

Food/Drink: Having snacks on hand will help you keep up your energy throughout the day and help you resist less healthy alternatives that make not agree with your stomach in the long run. Water and juice boxes will help keep you going. Pair them with food that is easy and portable such as veggies, granola bars, cheese sticks, raisins, trail mix, or goldfish.

Miscellaneous/Comfort Stuff: The more relaxed and comfortable are the better you will perform. For that reason don’t forget the “extra” stuff. A pillow, blanket, warm-ups and slippers or flip flops will help make your down time more comfortable. So will something to do, remember to pack pens, a notepad, an iPod, and magazines for quiet time you may have. You will likely be in a busy venue so packing extra tissues for the bathroom in case your location runs out may make your day much more comfortable.

When packing for a competition the list of things to remember is long and varied, but having the items you need will make for a much more pleasant and positive experience. Make certain you have everything you need to perform to your highest level. In order to be prepared and successful at your next event please view my complete competition checklist.

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About the Author

Jessica Dupont is a former Professional NYC Dancer and Makeup Artist. She owns JAM cosmetics, which is a line of ULTIMATE performance cosmetics for dancers and cheerleaders. JAM specializes in dance makeup, cheer makeup and is known for their beautiful half lashes and step-by-step video tutorials.

Find out 4 secrets the pro’s use AND 3 things you NEED TO KNOW to look gorgeous and stand out from the crowd, by getting Jessica’s free dance makeup e-Guide NOW at www.JAMcosmetics.net.

Here is, I believe, the most complete list of EVERYTHING dancers/cheerleaders need for competition weekends. I have polled dance moms, dancers, cheerleaders, teachers, and perused websites to create THE list of lists. Print it out - email it to your friends, moms, and dance teacher/cheer coach! If you can think of anything I have forgotten…please comment so I can keep adding.

You might want to have these items delegated and contributed to a “studio/team competition kit” by each family rather than every single family bringing every single item. Do whatever works best for your competitive group as decided by the studio owner / director / cheer coach.

MAKEUP – Makeup look as determined by studio owner / director / cheer coach. All dance makeup products should be water-resistant, highly pigmented, and long-lasting.

· Foundation & any application tools (sponge, foundation brush, etc)

· Loose Powder

· Mineral Eye Shadows

· Mineral Blush

· Black Water-resistant mascara

· Black Waterproof Liquid Liner

· White Highlighter Eye Pencil

· 2 pairs of False Lashes

· Waterproof Eyelash Adhesive – DUO is the BEST!

· Lip Pencil

· Mineral Lip Stick – healthiest option for long lasting performance color

· Makeup Brushes – lip, thin eyeliner, 2 eye shadow brushes (1 for dark colors/1 for light colors), blush, complexion/large powder, brow comb/brush

· Makeup Sponges

· Any glitter or shimmer items as determined by studio owner / competition director

· If using JAM cosmetics, include a small dropper bottle of water in your makeup kit so you can turn your black eye shadow into a water-resistant, smudge-resistant eyeliner

BEAUTY AIDS

· Makeup Remover Wipes – I love Ponds Makeup Remover/Cleanser Wipes!

· Tweezers – Tweezerman is the BEST!

· Razor and shaving cream (or electric razor, just in case someone forgot to shave)

· Baby Powder

· Vaseline

· Cotton Pads

· Q-tips

· Kleenex/Tissues

· Nail polish remover

· Clear Nail polish

· Nail clippers/nail file

· Clear, gel deodorant

· Skincare products (Cetaphil waterless cleanser & moisturizer is great for young, sensitive skin!)

· Hand, Feet, & Body Moisturizer

HAIR PRODUCTS

· Spray bottle of water

· Hair Gel

· Hairspray

· Hairnets

· Hair Pins/Bobby Pins

· Comb/Brush

· Hair dryer/curling iron, etc (if necessary)

· Any required hair pieces/hair jewelry/hair glitter

COSTUME STUFF

· All costumes - Head/Arm/Leg/Body pieces

· Jewelry

· Any individual props you are responsible for

· Mini Sewing Kit – includes needles, safety pins, scissors

· Thread that matches all costumes

· Static Guard

· Lint Brush

· Hot-glue or superglue

· Double sided tape

· Body adhesive

· Spare clear and tan bra straps

· Spare pair of tights in appropriate color

· Tide “to go” stick

· Shoe polish in the color of your shoes (tan, black, etc)

· A little extra rosin (if competition will allow – BUT do not use on marley floors!)

FIRST AID

· Children’s and Adult Tylenol/Advil

· Antacid/Pepto-Bismol

· Dramamine

· Handi Wipes

· Clear Band-aids

· Neosporin

· Icy Hot/BioFreeze

· Instant Ice Packs

· Ace bandage (If a dancer/cheerleader needs an ace bandage to perform, cover it in makeup/foundation so that the bandage matches the skin and won’t be as noticeable)

FOOD/DRINK

· Bottled water – try Spring Water instead of “purified water”

· Juice Boxes – try 100% juice

· Granola/power bars

· Fruit – try apples & cheese

· Veggies – try celery & peanut butter

· Mozzarella cheese sticks & crackers

· Trail Mix

· Nuts – Almonds are a very healthy choice

· Raisins

· Popcorn

· Goldfish

MISCELLANEOUS/COMFORT STUFF

· Extra copies of music on CD

· Money for program (usually $10-15 dollars)

· Money for photos, videos and souvenirs

· Pens, highlighters, sharpies

· Notepad

· Pillow

· Blanket

· Towel

· Slipper/slipper socks/flip flops

· Pop up laundry basket

· Warm-ups/Studio Sweatshirt or t-shirt

· Extra underwear, dance clothes

· Teen magazines/madlibs/coloring books/workbooks

· Camera

· New batteries

· iPod

· Gameboy or other handheld game options

· Crayons and pencils

· Screwdriver (for taps)

· Extra tissues to use for toilet paper in case venue runs out

· Extra Sanitary supplies

Ideally, choose hypo-allergenic/non-comedogenic (non-clogging to the pores), talc and paraben-free products that are as naturally derived as possible while being effective. A Dancer’s makeup look must be worn for long periods of time and this can be very hard on the skin, especially if it is sensitive or prone to breakouts. You do not want products that are going to make your skin look and feel horrible at the end of a performance weekend. There is nothing that can make you more self-conscious than irritated, reddened skin or an acne covered face.

To choose your look and get a custom Dance Makeup Kit, click here.

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About the Author

Jessica Dupont is a former Professional NYC Dancer and Makeup Artist. She owns JAM cosmetics, which is a line of ULTIMATE performance cosmetics for dancers and cheerleaders. JAM specializes in dance makeup, cheer makeup and is known for their beautiful half lashes and step-by-step video tutorials.

Find out 4 secrets the pro’s use AND 3 things you NEED TO KNOW to look gorgeous and stand out from the crowd, by getting Jessica’s free dance makeup e-Guide NOW at www.JAMcosmetics.net.

Every year a new crop of young eager dancers perform on competition stages all over the world and so there will always be the question, “why do I have to wear stage makeup?” and “how dark does it need to be?”. Dance moms ask me these questions ALL THE TIME because they feel that “makeup is makeup” and stage makeup seems to be yet another “special” item to buy and add to the bottomless dance bag.  (the bottomless dance bag-now, that’s a great product!)

Are there really good reasons for buying and using professional stage makeup or is the studio owner/director/choreographer just trying to pull one over you?

Before we discuss, take our poll:

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After so many requests for a makeup video specifically for dancers with Asian eyes, here it is!  This is the first of two (2) how-to makeup video for Asian eyes that I will be posting.  This look is the more difficult of the two I will present but you can easily achieve it with practice.

Step by step printable instructions appear after you take the LEAP… Read on »

Beautiful lashes make a statement!

Believe it or not, I have had to rewrite this blog several times as I kept coming up with too much information.  Who knew that I knew so much about false lashes?  I didn’t!  Suddenly, I had 11 pages all on LASHES.  So, I will begin with the simplest and most useful information I can think of.  Below you will learn how to put the darn things on successfully so that they will stay on through hours of dancing and not rip out your lashes when you remove them.

Step by step, printable directions and a video follow the jump…

Read on »

Because recitals come only once or twice a year - stage makeup skills can get a little rusty. And when are we ever taught how to properly apply makeup to a squirming six year old face?

Here are some quick and easy tips that should make recital makeup application super EASY and FUN! Read on »

When I am working with competition dancers, teachers and parents, they often ask this question… “What is ‘age appropriate makeup’ and HOW do we do it?” Read on »

I have been on tour with Star Systems this year, and had the opportunity to judge the 2008 National Championships in Nashville, TN.  As dancer/makeup artist and owner of JAM cosmetics (THE professional makeup line designed for dancers), I felt compelled to write and talk about the TOP 10 PERFORMANCE MAKEUP MISTAKES that I saw on stages all over the country. Read on »