Life is the dancer and you are the dance.
Eckhart Tolle
Stage makeup is essential for dancers as it enhances their facial features and stops them from looking washed out under stage lights. Whether you're dancing ballet, jazz, or tap, the right stage makeup will make sure your expressions can be seen right in the back row. In this guide, we'll look at the essential products, how to apply them, and what you can do to make your makeup last through a whole performance.
Dancers’ Makeup: The Products You Should Have
Before you get started, make sure that you have a few essential products to hand:
Foundation
A tone closest to your skin color or one shade darker (you often appear paler on stage).
Matte foundation powder
To matte your complexion.
Blush
Pink for paler skin tones and brown blush for darker tones.
Several shades of eye shadow
Three shades should be enough. White, beige, and brown are the most common.
Mascara
Waterproof might be a good call (you’ll sweat).
Black eyeliner
Also waterproof.
Matte lipstick
Opt for a red or dark pink. Shiny colors don’t work well on stage and tend to look too pale.
Eyebrow pencil
The shade closest to your natural color.
Cotton buds and makeup remover
In the event you make a mistake.
Brushes
A brush for your eyes and a foundation brush for the powder.
You can add glitter, fake lashes, highlighter, corrector and concealer, and a lip pencil. Now, you should have everything you need to get started. Of course, you’re free to add and change things.
It can be easy to get carried away with the makeup, but don't forget about the clothes you need to wear for ballet, too!
Foundation for Ballet Dancers
Now, let’s apply some foundation. If you tend to have dry skin, you might want to add some moisturizer or a BB cream. Move your hair out of the way and wear a plunging neckline so that you can apply the foundation to your neck, too.
You can also add a corrector and concealer to any blemishes or spots. Add a liquid foundation starting at the center of your face and working your way outwards. Don’t forget to apply this to your neck so you don’t have a discolored oval on your face. Some prefer to add foundation by hand, but if you want to use a brush, keep a liquid foundation in mind.
You might also want to use a foundation for dark circles. If you don’t have one, you can apply it from under your eyes outwards. You then need to matte your foundation to stop it from shining under the stage lights. Opt for a foundation that’s a little darker than the previous one so that you can contour a bit. Avoid foundation with sun protection, as they tend to appear white when filmed or photographed.
Makeup isn't the only expense you need to think about, you'll also need to consider the the cost of dance outfits.
- Budget Pick: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless - lightweight, blendable, and perfect for oily or combination skin under stage lights.
- Pro Pick: MAC Studio Fix Fluid - full coverage and long-wearing, ideal for dance recitals and photo-heavy performances.
Ballet Makeup: The Eyes
Start by applying a white eye shadow across your whole eyelid from the lashes to your brow. This will catch the light nicely. This layer will also act as the foundation for the subsequent layers. If you have a foundation layer for your eyelids, don’t hesitate to use it before adding this layer.
Next, add a darker layer of shadow onto the moving part of your eyelid, starting from the outside and working inwards. The idea is to have a darker gradient on the outside than on the inside. Finally, add the darkest layer to the outside of your eyelids to add depth.
Add the remaining pigment on your brush to the base of your eyelashes. Apply eyeliner along your lashes and extend the line beyond them, drawing an accentuated “comma” at the end. Your eyeliner needs to be thicker than you usually wear, as your audience needs to see it.
Don’t let the eyeliner collect at the edge of your eyes, as this will make your gaze look smaller. You’ll want to use a white eye pencil to make your gaze look bigger. We’re not looking for a natural look here, as it won’t be visible on stage. Add a generous helping of mascara.
Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher if they have a particular look in mind for your show. They might want intense smoky eyes or something lighter.
Always apply makeup in natural light if possible before heading to the theater. Stage lights can dramatically alter how colors appear.
Your makeup isn't the only thing you'll be wearing, you also need to carefully consider the clothing you wear for dancing.
- Budget Pick: e.l.f. Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palettes – compact, pigmented, and available in stage-friendly tones like “Truffles” and “Rose Water.”
- Pro Pick: Morphe 9-Pan Artistry Palettes – bold colors, smooth blending, and ideal for layered looks.
Makeup for Ballet Dancers’ Mouths
You might want to follow the contours with a clear pencil for the mouth. This will stop your lipstick from running into the corners of your mouth.
Using the tip of your lipstick isn’t very practical and requires some skill. It’s much easier to use a special brush to apply your lipstick. Blot the lipstick against a tissue to remove the excess before you add a second layer.
Additionally, you can add a bit of gloss to the center of your lips, but this isn’t necessary, and it tends to stick. You might want to keep your gloss on hand backstage to retouch. Similarly, you’ll be thirsty, and your lipstick will fade when you drink.
If you're prepping your child for their first recital, practice the full makeup routine at home at least once to avoid show-day stress.
- Budget Pick: Wet n Wild MegaLast Matte Lipstick – long-lasting and great in shades like “Stoplight Red.”
- Pro Pick: MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo – a go-to classic that stays crisp under stage lights.
The Finishing Touches for Makeup for Ballet Dancers
Now that you’ve got a perfect complexion and your eyes and lips done, you can add the finishing touches.
Blush
This can help relieve stress and accentuate parts of the face. To apply it, smile and apply it diagonally across your cheeks.
Eyebrows
You can highlight your expression by using an eyebrow pencil. Blondes can define their eyebrows. However, brunettes can also use it. After all, even the most noticeable features may be hard to see on stage.
Eyebrow pencils are helpful if you have thin or fair eyebrows. Apply the pencil from the beginning of your eyebrow to the end, working from the inside. Line up your eyebrow pencil with the bridge of your nose and the edge of your eye. Your eyebrow should come up to the pencil. If your eyebrow doesn’t reach the pencil, then you should apply the makeup to this point.
It isn't just makeup you'll need, though. You need to be ready from your head to your toes with the appropriate ballet footwear.
Setting or Fixer
A setting or fixer spray works a lot like hairspray. Once you're done, you can put it on. It holds everything in place.
Remember to put on your costume before your makeup, as you don’t want to have to pull anything on over your head. You can always wear something over the top that you can unbutton and take off so your costume doesn’t get stained.
Pro Options
Budget Options
Don’t hesitate to look for tutorials on YouTube to help you apply your makeup or for inspiration.
If you need more help with ballet or applying stage makeup, think about contacting the talented and experienced tutors on Superprof. You can choose between face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. You can also search for private dance lessons near me to find local instructors. Since each has its pros and cons, make sure you carefully consider which one will work best for you, your preferred learning style, and your budget.
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Hola mi hijo estudia ballet. Tiene 13 años Pero cuando hacen las presentaciones sólo hacen maquillaje para mujer. Y leí que los hombres que practican ballet también se maquillan. ¿Podrían orientarme al respecto?. De antemano gracias por su atención.
Hola Rosa! Makeup is available to everyone who wishes to wear it. If you would like a specific makeup presentation for your son, please reach out to one of our talented tutors. You can also contact to our customer care department at hey@superprof.com, if you have anymore questions.