If you need some great tips and steps to do your dance stage makeup then this post all about dance stage makeup steps!
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As dancers doing stage makeup can be a daunting task. Dance stage makeup is not an easy thing to do. Just like your dance performance hair, dance stage makeup takes a lot of practice and trial and error. That’s why as a dancer with years of practice doing dance stage makeup I’ve created this guide about how to do your dance stage makeup.
You are going to learn all about dance stage makeup steps, stage make up tips, how to do dance stage makeup step by step, and what makeup you should wear for dance.
After reading this post you will be prepared to do your dance stage makeup for all of your dance performances.
This post is all about dance stage makeup
Dance Stage Makeup Steps
Getting Started: The Base
This first section deals with the base of you face and makeup. These steps include cleaning your face, using primer, applying foundation, and applying concealer.
Stage Makeup Step 1: Start With a Clean Face
Before you even start to apply your dance stage makeup, you need to start with a clean face.
Especially if you have come from a dance warm up class before your performance, it is important to remove any oil, dirt, or sweat from your face. This will help your stage makeup stay on longer and make your makeup look better.
I recommend using a makeup remover or face cleanser on your face. Most makeup removers do a great job at removing excess oils and any dirt on your face and won’t leave any residue on your face before you apply your makeup.
I personally love the Garnier Micellar Water for both removing my makeup and before I apply my makeup. Make sure to pack cotton pads to apply this.
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Stage Makeup Step 2: Apply a Makeup Primer
Now its time to start applying your makeup, but before you do that you need to start with a good base. Your makeup needs something to stick to and help it stay on through sweat and hours of dancing.
Apply a primer by dabbing and rubbing the product into your face. Make sure to get areas that are especially prone to sweat, oil, and where you apply more makeup. That would typically be your t-zone, forehead, and eyelids.
My current favorite primer is the ELF Power Grip Primer. I also like the Cover FX Primer. Whatever primer you choose it is important to find one that matches your skin needs. ELF has some amazing primers for a variety of skin needs and it is super affordable.
Stage Makeup Step 3: Apply Your Foundation
Quick note: Depending on your makeup preferences this step and step 4 can be swapped!
Now it is time to start applying your foundation. When it comes to foundation for stage makeup, you will sometimes want it to be a little bit of a warmer shade than the foundation you would normally wear.
Foundation is also a stage make up product that you want to choose while being mindful of your personal skin needs. If you have oily, sweaty skin on stage don’t choose an oily foundation.
I personally feel that the best foundation finishes for stage makeup are natural or matte foundation finishes over glow or dewy foundation finishes.
Applying Your Foundation
To apply your foundation you will also want a good applicator. Some people will use their hands but having a tool to apply or at least blend your foundation can be incredibly helpful for your stage makeup look.
If you are looking for a makeup sponge you can’t go wrong with the classic beauty blender or a real techniques makeup sponge. I also happen to love and use the ELF sponges.
If you want a makeup or foundation brush I recommend the Laura Geller Foundation Brush or the Wet n Wild Kabuki brush.
Stage Makeup Step 4: Applying Your Concealer
Applying concealer can help cover up any skin imperfections and brighten you features and complexion on stage. In addition to you foundation, concealer will help you even out your skin tone.
You can also utilize color correctors and neutralizers to help even more. For great stage makeup specific options be sure to check out Ben Nye. If you are looking for a good drug store option for color correctors, I recommend this palette from NYX.
For concealer a few of the products for your dance stage makeup I recommend include this concealer from Maybelline, Tarte Shape Tape, or the ELF Camo Concealer.
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Stage Makeup Step 5: Highlight Your Features
Now it is time to highlight and emphasize your facial features. This part of your stage makeup will include applying contour, blush, and highlighter.
This part of stage make up is extra important so your features a visible on stage.
Applying Stage Contour
We all know that stage lights tend to wash us out. That is why it applying contour can be especially helpful. Contouring can help features like your cheekbones, jawline, and other facial features pop out onstage.
Since you will likely also apply blush and highlighter, sometimes this step you can skip. However, contour can be especially helpful in helping you express emotion onstage if you are doing a character dance or performing in a musical.
When it comes to contour products, you can sometimes pull from other makeup palettes or products like your eyeshadow or highlighter palette. I know some dancers that also use a darker shade of foundation or concealer just for the applicator.
I personally don’t use a specific contour product at the moment but I know so many dancers that love the E.LF. Halo Glow wand and NYX has a great contour wand if you are looking for great contour options for your dance stage makeup collection.
Applying Stage Blush
Blush will help give your face a natural look to it and bring out some of the natural color in your face. When highlighting your features with any of these three steps, I personally think this one is the most essential of your blush, highlighter, contour combo.
Gone are the days of the dark red rosy cheeks onstage. You want your blush and natural color to pop but not too much.
Most of the time for stage blush you want to go for a more rosy color than light, natural pink but not too red. You’ll apply your blush along the apples of your cheeks.
Right now cream blush products are super trendy but you still can’t go wrong with a classic powder blush. My current favorite is of course the Rare Beauty Blush. I also happen to LOVE the Tarte Amazonian Clay blush if you are looking for a powder blush option. Both are super great for long wear and help your cheeks pop perfectly onstage.
Applying Stage Highlighter
Highlighter, similar to contour can help bring out the features of your face. However, don’t go too overboard with applying highlighter because you don’t want your features to appear washed out by the glow on your face.
Similar to contour, you can find some great options for highlighter in your other makeup palettes. But if you’re looking for some great highlighter products, I recommend the E.L.F Halo Glow Wand or the Wet n Wild Megaglo highlighting powder for your stage makeup collection.
You can find some great guides for how and where to apply your highlighter on Pinterest to reference.
Stage Makeup Step 6: The Eyes
Eye makeup including eyebrow color, eyeshadow, eyeliner, fake eyelashes, and masacara, is incredibly important for your dance stage makeup look. Your eyes reveal a lot and help you express a lot of emotions and facial expressions onstage.
This is why it is very important to emphasize your eyes onstage.
Eyebrows
Eyebrows are super important to emphasize onstage. With your eyebrows onstage, you can also go a little more intense than your normally would in real life.
You can also double up with both an eyebrow pencil and a brow powder or gel just to make the product stay on that much longer and make your eyebrows look more natural.
My current favorite eyebrow product is the Revlon Eyebrow Pencil & Powder but I’ve also used and loved the NYX fill & fluff eyebrow pencil
Eyeshadow
Applying and doing an eyeshadow look happens to be my favorite part of doing stage makeup because you can get so creative with your look. You can go by some old standby colors that look best with your unique complexion or go with something that matches your costume or look onstage.
In your free time, try experimenting with different colors to learn what looks best on you and to find the best looks for your dance stage makeup.
Try searching some different looks and ideas on Pinterest for ideas or searching with the particular palette that you have for ideas.
Most of the time for stage eyeshadow, you can usually replicate a heavy street makeup look.
This blog article here has some great in-depth tips and tricks for applying your eyeshadow.
If you are looking for great eyeshadow palettes here are a few with great shade ranges that would work for almost anyone:
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Shadow Palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette
Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Palette
Eyeliner
Eyeliner is super important for emphasizing your eyes because it will give your eyes some clear shape. Most dancers like to use a waterproof, long-wear liquid eyeliner in dark brown or black with a small wing for their stage look.
You want to make sure to apply your eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible on your eyelid. For your lower lashes you can use a small brush to apply a small amount of eyeliner to your waterline and help your eyes pop.
For eyeliner, I love the NYX Epic Ink Liner and don’t really have any other recommendations because I love this formula so much for my stage makeup!
*Fake Lashes*
While they are optional fake eyelashes really help your eyes pop and give your eyelashes some volume onstage. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to fake eyelashes.
If you want just a small amount of volume or intensity to your look, I know some dancers that will cut the lashes in half.
I don’t have any specific recommendations when it comes to lashes but my favorite eyelash glue is the KISS Strip Lash Adhesive.
Mascara
Mascara helps to define your eyelashes and open up your eyes onstage. That’s why it is super important to apply mascara as part of your dance stage makeup routine.
You want to make sure your mascara is waterproof for your dance stage makeup too. I recommend the L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise but recently have also started to love the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara.
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Stage Makeup Step 7: Finish the Look
Now that your stage makeup look is complete it is time to set the look. This is by applying a lip color, applying powder, and finishing off with your setting spray.
Applying Stage Lip Color
Now it is time to apply your lipstick or lip color. You want to make sure that your lip color is long lasting and transfer-proof to avoid getting any on your costumes or even your fellow dancers if you ever happen to brush past anyone backstage!
Make sure your lip color is something that pops but also looks good on you onstage. Lots of dancers use red but there are a thousand possibilities when it comes to finding the perfect red lipstick for your needs. You can try a darker berry shade or something a little brighter.
Some dancers also like to use a lip liner before applying their main lip color to help the lipstick stay on longer and define their lips better.
My all time favorite lipstick is the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick. It has so many great red shades that I can’t even pick a favorite, but it also comes in a ton of other great colors as well.
Apply Powder
Ideally, you might want to set with powder after your apply foundation and concealer to set those products, but it can also be helpful after your full face is done.
Applying powder can also be useful to blot and clean up any oil or sweat.
I recommend the Airspun powder for a great loose powder or the Maybelline Fit Me Matte Pressed Powder for a great pressed powder option.
Set With a Setting Spray
Now that your look is complete it is time to set your look with a setting spray. This step is extremely important and will help your makeup stay on longer through sweat, costume changes, and long performance days.
Currently, I recommend the Morphe Continuous Setting Mist. I also know a lot of dancers that recommend the Urban Decay All-Nighter setting spray or the NYX Matte Setting Spray.
Before You Go
I hope you found all the help you need in this all about how to do dance stage makeup.
Share your favorite dance stage make up tip or product in the comments below!
This post was all about how to do dance stage makeup
