Everyone is beautiful at the Ballet, of course!  However, there is something so remarkably stunning about how makeup is used to intensify a ballet dancer’s eyes.  It looks incredibly complicated but with a few easy tips, you will be applying your makeup like a professional in no time!

To begin to achieve those expressive Ballet eyes, let’s discuss some basic contouring patterns for eye makeup.  From there, we will discuss “how” and “why” the art of Ballet uses such a specific eye makeup look.
Basic contouring for eye makeup:

When you “contour” the eye, it means using your darker eye shadow to create dimension.  There are three main ways to “contour” the eyes and these can be used together or separately to create a variety of looks:

1)    Apply contour eye shadow color at the lash line and blend the shadow to gradually fade as it goes up past the crease to the brow bone.
2)    Apply contour eye shadow color in a sideways “v” or “c” shape, on the outer third of the eyelid.
3)    Apply contour eye shadow color in the crease.

For a ballet dancer, the dance is a story.  The ballerina is playing a character.  By applying the darker eye shadow in the crease, we accentuate and enhance the NATURAL three dimensional shape of the eye.  This allows the audience to follow the ballerina’s gaze.  When the ballerina’s eyes and head follow through each position as she dances, the audience needs to see whether the eyes are open, closed, looking in a certain direction, or at a specific character.   The audience needs to see that naturally shaped dimension in the eye in order to follow the story and stay connected to her character.  Adding the “winged” eye shadow effect, pulling the contour color up and out, gives the eyes a larger and wider almond shape.

Click here to see a video with step-by-step instructions.

Three DO’s:
1)     DO use neutral/warm earth-toned eye shadow colors for stage performances.  They are perfect under all colors of stage lighting and accentuate the eyes and skin well.
2)    DO apply your makeup dark enough to be seen up to the first 8 – 12 rows (approximately).
3)    DO use false lashes as they enhance the shape of your eyes on stage!

Three DONT’s:
1)    DON’T use black liquid eyeliner under the eyes!  Too much and too messy!  Use JAM cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow with an angled makeup brush or, if you must, use an eye pencil.
2)    DON’T forget to blend, blend, blend…especially blush!  You’re a ballerina not a punk rocker!
3)    DON’T use black liner on the inside lower lid of the eye – it will make the eyes look small on stage.

Use a white highlighter pencil on the inside rim of the lower lid of the eye to brighten the eyes and make them look bigger.

Yes, this classical ballet makeup look is more difficult to do if you have a small lid space but it can be done well with practice…just like your dancing!

Click here to download Prima Diva face chart with instructions, then follow along with the video – it’s that easy!

Our “Prima Diva” Complete Makeup Kit coordinates with our easy-to-follow how-to video, face chart and printable instructions.
Recommend JAMcosmetics.net to your dancers, director, choreographer, dance parents.  With all these amazing makeup tools, Nutcracker performances will never be the same!!!

See related article on the Dancer Universe/ JAM cosmetics Dance Makeup Blog “Top 10 Dance Makeup Mistakes“.  Do not go on stage without reading it!

Have a BEAUTIFUL holiday performance!

Jessica Dupont

www.JAMcosmetics.net

The ULTIMATE performance makeup resource for dancers!

P.S. Click here to get a FREE customized gift from JAM!  No purchase required, it’s totally FREE!

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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.

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If you’re a dancer, click here

If you’re a cheerleader, click here

If you’re a dance mom, click here

If you’re a dance teacher or cheer coach, click here

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A Dancer’s Makeup look is often determined by the choreographer and/or the performance venue.

Stage performance – Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, and Contemporary dancers typically dance on a stage. Whether you are recital dancer, competitive dancer, or a professional dancer, you will need to wear a darker, more intense dancer’s makeup look than average everyday street makeup. This is because of the intensity of the stage lights, the intensity of costuming, and distance between the performer and the audience.

Outdoor performance – Depending on your style of dance, if you are performing outdoors, your dancer’s makeup look can be much more muted. For example, even though a dancer’s makeup look for stage often includes red lipstick, you may consider a more natural rose toned color instead.

Ballroom dance floor – When you are a ballroom dancer, you are usually performing on a dance floor that is at the same level as the audience and the lighting, though dramatic, is not quite as intense as stage lighting. However, a ballroom dancer’s makeup is often quite dramatic to accentuate the dramatic costuming and style of this genre.

Belly Dance performance – Belly Dancers have a variety of performance venues – stage, restaurants, and outdoor festivals. However, a belly dancer’s makeup is geared much more to the style of dance and costuming rather than the type of venue they are performing in. Their performance look can range from more natural and classically beautiful for Cabaret Belly Dancer’s makeup to the dramatically artistic styles of Tribal Belly Dancer’s makeup.

Here is a list of what should be in your Dancer’s Makeup Kit for a fabulous performance makeup look:

1. Foundation

§ Hypo-allergenic/non-comedogenic (non-clogging to the pores)

§ Mineral Oil Free

§ Water-resistant/Sweat-resistant

§ Full coverage foundation that feels very light on the skin

§ Warm toned colors look best under stage lighting – avoid pink toned-foundation

§ Half to one shade DARKER than natural skin tone for stage performances.

§ Match your foundation color to skin for all other performance venues.

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=> Click here to choose your foundation.

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2. Loose Powder

§ Translucent, containing very little pigment

§ Sheer in tone so that it does not look cakey on the skin

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=> Click here to choose your powder.

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3. Foundation Brush

§ Used to apply a thin, coating of foundation

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=> Click here to get your foundation brush.

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4. Triangle-shaped makeup sponges

§ Used to smooth out foundation, blend colors, clean up mistakes

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=> Makeup sponges are available at Target and Walmart

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5. Eye Shadows

§ Highly pigmented, water-resistant/sweat resistant, talc and paraben-free mineral makeup colors work well

§ Three main shadows:

1.Highlighter – light color

2.Contrast – medium color

3.Contour – dark color

§ Neutral-warm, earth toned colors – black, brown, bronze, copper, gold, cream

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=> Click here to choose your eye shadows

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6. Blush

§ Highly pigmented, water-resistant/sweat-resistant , talc and paraben-free mineral makeup colors work well

§ Neutral-warm reds or roses

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=> Click here to choose your blush.

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7. Black Water-resistant mascara

=> Click here to get your black water-resistant mascara

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8. Black Waterproof Liquid Liner OR Black Mineral Makeup Eye Shadow/Eye Liner

=> Click here to choose your eye liner

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9. White Highlighter Eye Pencil

=> Click here to get your white highlighter eye pencil

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10. 2 pairs of False Lashes

§ Just to be on the safe side!

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=> Click here to get your false lashes

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11. Waterproof Eyelash Adhesive

§ Duo is the BEST!

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=> Click here to get your DUO

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12. Lip Pencil

§ Neutral-toned, long lasting (but not drying to the lips!)

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=> Click here to choose your lip pencil

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13. Mineral Lip Stick

§ Long-lasting (but not drying to the lips!)

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=> Click here to choose your long-lasting mineral lipstick

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14. Makeup Brushes

§ Lip, eyeliner, eye shadow, blush, complexion, brow comb/brush

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=> Click here to get your professional quality makeup brushes

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15. Glitter/Shimmer powders

§ As determined by choreographer

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=> Click here to get your shimmer and glitter powders

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16. Adhesive for glitter

=> Click here to get your Glitter Adhesive

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.

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Want a FREE Customized Gift from JAM?

If you’re a dancer, click here

If you’re a cheerleader, click here

If you’re a dance mom, click here

If you’re a dance teacher or cheer coach, click here

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One of the issues that dance teachers have to deal with in regards to makeup for dance is when parents are unwilling to apply enough makeup to their daughters faces for fear of them looking “too mature for their age”.  Makeup for dance performances needs to be much darker than everyday street makeup for a young dancer’s face to be seen by the audience.  This can often make dance moms and dads quite uncomfortable.

Here are 4 tips for keeping makeup for dance competitions and performances youthful and fresh but strong enough for stage.

1)    Eyebrows - Eyebrows need to be enhanced for stage performances because much of our emotional expression is shown in our eyebrows (think “smiley icons”!).  Brows definitely need to be darkened but if you darken every little hair growing in the general vicinity of the eyebrow you will create a monster!  However, a very thin, sculptured, dark eyebrow can look too sophisticated and mature for a young dancer’s face.  An eyebrow pencil can leave too severe a line.  I prefer using an eye shadow color that is the same as or one to two shades darker than the hair color.   Go to the center of the brow, and carefully brush a line of shadow in the center of the existing eyebrow.   A little goes a long way on the eyebrows.  Now, use a brow brush/comb to blend out the center line of shadow that you just applied.  This keeps the brow soft and natural but enhances it enough to allow the audience to clearly see the dancer’s emotional expression.

2)    Eyes – Makeup for dance performances often includes the use of A LOT of black eyeliner and/or eye shadow and often in all the wrong places.  This gives the dancers makeup look a hard, harsh, look that can leave the eyes looking like big emotionless black holes to the audience.  Use black eyeliner ONLY on the top lash line.  Use a brown liner conservatively under lower lashes.  DO NOT use black eyeliner on the inner lash line. Use a white highlighter eye pencil on the inner lash line to keep the eyes looking big.

3)    Cheeks – Makeup for dance is often misunderstood.  Dance makeup does need to be darker and more intense but blush that is the wrong color, too dark, or is applied in hard, sharp lines definitely adds years to a younger dancers face.  Use neutral pink/peach tones of blush to give the face a natural, healthy glow.  Apply blush under the cheekbone to enhance the bone structure of the face.  Avoid circles on the apples of the cheeks by starting at the hair line and brushing blush forward.  Avoid harsh lines by blending the color forward and then up.  Avoid letting the blush color drop below the lip line.  BLEND, BLEND, BLEND to create a fresh, youthful look to the dancers face.

4)    Lips – Makeup for dance almost always showcases a bright red lip stick color that makes a dance mom sweat as she is applying!  Choosing the wrong shade of red lip stick can make a dancer look hard, harsh, and overdone.  Ideally, when choosing a red lipstick color for stage performances, choose a neutral red.  This usually has a slight, browner, or brick tone to it and it looks great on every skin tone!  As a side note, red lipstick is not the ONLY lip stick that looks good on stage.  A beautiful, neutral rose tone makes the lips look fresh and clean without the dramatic look of a red.  For example, Juliet from “Romeo and Juliet” would never wear a red because it would look too mature for her innocent, young character.  Hey, if a rose-toned lipstick works for a ballerina as Juliet, it will work for any dancer, right?

Click here to choose the look that’s best suited for you or your daughter.  You’ll get FREE step-by-step video instructions on how to apply your performance cosmetics so

You look gorgeous AND age appropriate!

Choose Your Look NOW!

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Want a FREE Customized Gift from JAM?

If you’re a dancer, click here

If you’re a cheerleader, click here

If you’re a dance mom, click here

If you’re a dance teacher or cheer coach, click here

…

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.

A stock item for cheerleader makeup is GLITTER!  But how do you know when your cheerleader makeup look has gone overboard?  DWTS is known for its ultra glam makeup and costuming and their use of LOTS of glitter!

You can get their super gorgeous looks for your cheerleader makeup look as long as you follow one simple rule…use only ONE (or maybe two) of these ideas at a time.  If you use too much, you risk the “cheap & trashy” label.  Cheerleader makeup can show glamorous style and class and every girl can look gorgeous with these expert tips!

There are two very important points that I would like to share with you about using glitter for your performance makeup.  First, when applying glitter makeup to the eyes, small amounts do fall into the eyes so please only use “cosmetic grade” glitter.  When glitter is labeled as “cosmetics grade” glitter it means that the sizes of the individual pieces of glitter are much smaller and much more refined than just “craft” quality glitter.  There are no dangerous sharp corners that can make tiny hair-like cuts in the eye or cornea and allow an eye infection to develop.

Second, because you may be using glitter on the lips, technically, you will probably be EATING the glitter makeup.  PLEASE only use glitter made in the USA.  When glitter makeup is manufactured in other countries, it is not inspected as thoroughly as it is here in the United States.  You cannot be sure of what you are getting!

Dance makeup is an important part of the cheerleader’s costume.  Using cosmetics grade glitter for your cheerleader makeup look may mean paying a little bit more.  However, you need to use the highest quality eye glitter makeup when you are near your delicate eye and lip area.

1)    On your body:  Mix glitter in with your body lotion and apply to legs, arms, and collar bone…any spot you want to shine!

2)    Highlight Cheekbones:  Apply glitter high on the cheekbones as a highlighter with adhesive.

3)    Highlight Cheekbones & Brow bone:  Apply glitter high on the cheekbones & brow bone with adhesive.

4)    On Lips:  Mix glitter with your lip gloss and apply to lips alone or over any lipstick color

5)    Corners of Eyes:  Apply a bright silver glitter or gold glitter or white/iridescent glitter to inner corner and outer corner of eyes.  This little accent brightens the eyes and makes your cheerleader makeup really stand out!

6)    As Eyeliner:  Apply glitter as an eye liner with glitter adhesive

7)    On Eyelid:  Apply eye glitter makeup with a brush or your finger to eye lid over eye shadow for a subtle effect

8)    In Hair:  Spray hair spray into your hand, add body & hair gel glitter, rub hands together, comb your hands through your hair evenly dispersing the glitter, rinse hands

9)    On Eyelid & Crease:  Apply your favorite eye shadow color (or team color!) over entire lid and up over the crease and then apply glitter adhesive on top.  Use a makeup brush and apply a neutral shade of glitter over the entire lid and crease for intensely dramatic eyes!

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Check our FULL-LINE of glitter makeup for your face and body

by clicking here!

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Want a FREE Customized Gift from JAM?

If you’re a dancer, click here

If you’re a cheerleader, click here

If you’re a dance mom, click here

If you’re a dance teacher or cheer coach, click here

…

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.

It’s Dance & Cheer Season!
We’ve got a Special, Completely FREE & Customized Gift for you!

(And we think you’re going to love it)

If you’re a Dancer,  Click Here

If you’re a Cheerleader, Click Here

If you’re a Dance Mom,  Click Here

If you’re a Dance Teacher or Cheer Coach,  Click Here

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Thank you for being a part of the JAM cosmetics cheer & dance makeup community!