A confident dance performance begins with a confident face, and that starts with the right look. Dance makeup helps the judges and audience tune into the emotional aspects of your performance, whether they’re sitting in the front row or at the back of the theater.
Instead, prevent cosmetic catastrophes with this handy checklist. The night before your competition, pack all these items in your bag so they’re ready to go the next morning. It doesn’t hurt to run through the checklist one last time before running out the door, either.
Dance Competition Makeup Checklist
1. Moisturizer
A smooth, bright complexion starts with hydrated skin, so tote along a hydrating face lotion.
2. Face & Eye Primer
Primer preps it for foundation, helping your makeup to last through multiple routines and sweat.
3. Foundation & Concealer
Foundation and concealer smooth any blemishes, dark marks, or shadows on your skin and brightens your complexion so you can put your best face forward.
4. Foam or Sponge Makeup Blenders
You can have the perfect foundation, but you need a way to apply it. The debate is out about whether it’s better to apply foundation with a brush, sponges, or foam blenders – experiment with what works for you!
5. Blush & Contouring product
A powder or cream in a shade slightly darker than your skin color can help define your cheekbones, neck, and shoulders and add dimension to your face. After defining your face with contouring powder or cream, you need to top it all off with blush. Choose a pink shade slightly brighter than your average, everyday makeup.
6. Eyeshadows
To define your eyes, you’ll need several eyeshadows in a variety of shades.
7. Liquid or Gel Eyeliner in Black and White
Liquid or gel eyeliners last longer than their pencil counterparts. White eyeliner can be applied to the waterline to make eyes look bigger, while black eyeliner pressed into the upper and lower lash lines make your eyes and lashes stand out even more and set off your shadow.
8. False Eyelashes
False eyelashes are a must-have for the stage, making your eyes pop.
9. Mascara
If you’re wearing fake lashes, you don’t really need mascara, but it can be useful to pack a tube just in case your fake lashes decide to be fussy and won’t stick.
10. Brow powder/pencil
Strong brows are an essential part of your stage look since they set off the rest of your makeup and define your expressions to the audience.
11. Lipstick
Pack a long-wear lipstick product that will last throughout your competition without drying out your lips.
12. Finishing powder or setting spray
A finishing powder or setting spray is the cherry on top of your look that will help your makeup stay put, no matter how much you break a sweat.
It’s smart to pack some useful extras in your makeup bag, too. Bring Q-tips, makeup remover, cotton pads, and extra makeup brushes, so you’re prepared for anything.