Stage makeup for dancers is not the same as regular makeup. Beautiful and effective makeup will help dancers attract attention and highlight their expressions to the audience.
If your child is going to perform in a dance recital and you don’t know what to do, this article will help you with detailed instructions and the most helpful stage makeup tips.
Table of Contents
Why Is Stage Makeup Important For Dancers?
Makeup for dancers, especially child dancers, is a controversial issue, especially for parents who do not often wear makeup themselves or have no experience with the stage. Here are the main reasons why dancers need good makeup when performing on stage.
- The stage lights are very strong and colourful. It will cause the dancer’s face to be dazzled and blurred. The right stage makeup will help accentuate their facial contours.
- The dance stage is usually quite large and the audience sits far away from the dancers. It would be difficult for them to see the dancer’s expression, especially the expression from the eyes, without the heavy makeup. Remember, a dancer’s facial expression affects the audience’s emotions, and is among the important factors in the performance’s success.
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How To Apply Stage Makeup For Dancers
When watching the dance performance on stage, do you notice that the dancers are wearing heavy makeup with exaggerated shapes?
Now it’s your turn to do such makeup for yourself, how to do it without messing things up? Follow the instructions below.
What to prepare
- Base: Foundation (pancake or cream), or tinter moisturizer, depending on the need for coverage and longevity of the makeup.
- Concealer.
- Powder.
- Blusher.
- Eyeliner pencil or liquid eyeliner.
- Eyeshadow palette.
- Mascara.
- False lashes (optional).
- Eyelash curler.
- Eyebrow pencil or eyebrow gel.
- Highlighter.
- Lipstick.
- Lip liner.
- Sponge.
- Makeup brush (eyeshadow brush, blusher brush, and eyebrow brush).
- Makeup remover.
Step to do stage makeup for dancers
- Step 1: Cleanse and moisturize the skin
This is a very important step before starting to do makeup.
Clean and well-moisturized skin will help makeup adhere well. That also helps protect your skin from being dried out by heavy makeup.
- Step 2: Apply foundation
Start with a primer if you need to. Some people don’t need a primer, just using moisturizer is enough.
Next, apply foundation on your skin. For extended performances or performances under strong light, it is recommended to use pancake or cream foundation. Otherwise, you can simply use a tinted moisturizer.
If your skin has many defects, you should use more concealer, especially under the eyes and spots on the skin.
- Step 3: Apply powder and blush
Apply a layer of translucent powder on top of your foundation. You can use either loose or pressed powder.
Next, do blushing. For performing on stage, you can apply blush a little more than usual. But don’t overdo it as you will look like clowns.
- Step 4: Shape the eyebrows
If your eyebrows are bold, just using eyebrow gel is enough. If they are lighter, use a brown or black eyebrow pencil to shape them.
The eyebrows need to be defined while looking natural. Once done, use an eyebrow brush to make them even and realistic.
- Step 5: Apply eyeshadow
Do you agree that a dancer’s eyes are one of the most powerful and impressive features?
To accentuate the eyes, first, apply a layer of light eyeshadow over the lids. Then, coat the crease with brown eyeshadow (or similar tones) to make the eye area feel wider.
Finally, apply more shimmery highlights to the corner of your eye and the brow bones.
- Step 6: Define the eyes
Eyeliner is a must-have to define a dancer’s eyes. You should use brown or black liquid eyeliner to ensure that the line does not drift under hot lighting.
For the upper eyelid, use eyeliner to draw a line close to the eyelid, extending slightly toward the corner of your eye. With the lower lash line, you can use darker brown eyeshadow as an accent.
- Step 7: Apply mascara and attach false eyelashes (optional)
Thick and curled eyelashes make your eyes appear wider. Use an eyelash curler first, then apply a layer of waterproof mascara to your eyelashes.
If you are asked to use false eyelashes, be sure to trim them for the most natural feel.
After attaching the eyelashes, apply a layer of mascara to both false and real eyelashes for uniformity.
- Step 8: Lipstick
This is the last step in the makeup process for the dancers. The most common color is red. But it’s best to ask about the show’s requirements to use the right lipstick color.
Use a lip liner to define your lips first. Then apply the lipstick directly to your lips.
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How To Apply Stage Makeup For Child Dancers
Stage makeup for young dancers is also done following the above steps. However, there are a few differences.
- You don’t need to use foundation, just use a tinted moisturizer for the kids.
- No need to use concealer. The children’s skin is wonderful and rosy, with almost no blemishes.
- Use bright eyeshadow and lipstick colors. The kids are so cute, don’t make them lose their childish look and become too old on the stage.
Stage Makeup For Black Dancers
People with dark skin tones need to apply makeup with stronger pigment colors on the eyes, cheeks, and lips.
For the eye area, use a darker color at the corner of the eye and gradually raise the tone as you go inward.
Strong color pigments require you to blend. Therefore, clean your makeup brushes before blending. And make sure to mix the color at the edge of one color tile with the next.
Some Dancers’ Stage Makeup Tips
Stage makeup for dancers definitely requires practice. But you can make it easier and more perfect with these simple dance makeup tips.
Stage makeup for boy dancers vs girl dancers
Boy dancers do not need as much makeup as girl dancers when on stage, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need makeup. In fact, you can make up a boy dancer following the steps above, with a few minor differences as follows.
- Use brown and natural eyeshadow for boys while using a light shade to highlight under girl dancers’ eyebrows.
- Boy dancers usually use darker shades than their natural lip color, while girls dancers mostly apply red lipstick.
- No blush is applied to male dancers.
Use Makeup Primer for longer lasting
Using a primer is the perfect way to start a dancer’s makeup. Primer helps to shrink pores and make skin look smoother. Most importantly, it will prevent the foundation from clogging your pores, minimizing the risk of breakouts.
Focus more on the eyes when on stage
The eyes are a place for dancers to express their emotions with the dance. Many male dancers often shy away from wearing makeup on stage, but that is a mistake.
Eyeliner is a must for every dancer. Draw a line on the upper and lower eyelids to make the eyes appear larger.
Dancers should also use mascara and false eyelashes if necessary. Do not underestimate their effect on the eyes when performing on the stage.
Stage makeup is different from normal makeup
The makeup process for the dancers above is definitely different from normal makeup. The colors and products are also different.
| Product | Stage makeup | Normal makeup |
| Foundation | – A tone lighter than normal skin tone.
– Better grip to last long and withstand the heat of the spotlight. |
Use the same color tone as the skin tone and do not need too high adhesion. |
| Finishing powder | Must use, to reduce shine and reflection when on stage. | Not necessary, as it will make the face feel heavy and unnatural. |
| Blush | Yes, because thick makeup often makes their faces too bright. | Not common, because it can make your face look weird. |
| Eyeshadow | Yes, on the eyelids and light shade under the eyes to highlight. | Yes, but diverse. It depends on the situation. |
| Eyeliner | Yes. It is far away from the lower eyelid, to create the illusion of larger eyes. Female dancers also often use white lines on the inside rims to make their eyes brighter and bigger. | Yes, but close to the lower eyelid, not exaggerated like dancers. |
| False eyelashes | Yes, to make their eyes bigger and more impressive. | Yes, but only when they need to go to events. |
Use high-quality makeup remover
Using thick makeup will absolutely make your skin uncomfortable, which might lead to dry skin and acne. Therefore, the complete removal of makeup is necessary, especially for child dancers.
Natural oils (such as coconut oil) are the best makeup removers. You just need to put the oil in your hands and rub it gently all over your face. Then wash with soap and cool water.
If your child is young, be sure to guide and supervise him or her when removing makeup.
Time To Shine With Your Makeup!
Stage makeup for dancers is an important factor in the success of their performance. Don’t panic if this is your first time making up your child for her or his dance recital. Follow the instructions in this article with confidence and help your dancer shine.