Many dancers know that a great performance takes more than just dance skill. It also includes makeup, costume, hairstyle and even facial expressions. If one of these areas is even the slightest bit off, it could hurt your score with the judges. However, many dancers don’t have the time – or the money – to constantly worry about perfecting their hair and dance makeup to a tee. Buying new dance makeup for every performance can cost tons of money. So what is a dancer to do? Consider these five tips on how to perfect your dance makeup on any budget.
1. Start With Show-Stopping Eyes
One look to the judges can really wow them, right? Right. That’s why it’s important to find a couple of affordable pieces of quality dance makeup for your eyes.
Let’s start with the mascara. On stage, most dancers want their eyelashes to look full and dramatic, no matter what type of dance they are doing. However, it’s also wise to get a product that doesn’t clump your lashes together or make them look overdone. Consider getting Maybelline New York Full N’ Soft mascara, priced at an affordable $8 at most drugstores. According to Real Simple, this mascara is tried-and-true – it really gives eyelashes fullness without causing them to be weighed down or clumpy.
Most dancers also prefer a little eye shadow to help boost the effects. Try L’Oreal Paris High Intensity Pigments Concentrated Shadow, which costs $8, to help give your eyes an extra pop with a collection of colors to choose from. Finish the look with Wet n’ Wild eyeliner for $1.50, which comes in 12 different colors so you can change when you want to.
2. Follow With Stand-Out Lips
Some lipsticks can fade over time, especially after eating or drinking. Dancers don’t always have a minute to reapply between performances. What can dancers do? Try a moisturizing lipstick that holds longer. Or, if you have a beloved color you can’t go without, add a little Vaseline to your lips to help it stay.
If you’re looking for a cheap yet lasting lipstick to complete your look, try Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick for $9, Elle recommended. This lipstick comes in 20 different colors, so you can match it with any outfit. It also contains almond oil to keep your lips moisturized and your lipstick on without issue.
3. Create A Full, Even Complexion
You want to glow when you’re on stage, so use your concealer and bronzer to help. Begin with L’Oreal True Match concealer for a mere $9, which helps hide any blemishes or dark spots and reduces redness. Try out the L’Oreal Paris True Makeup Foundation, $11 at drugstores, that comes in a variety of shades so you can blend effortlessly.
To add color and shape to your face, try an easy blush, such as Almay Touch-Pad Blush for $10 or Physician’s Formula Multi-Colored Bronzer for $13. Try both or just one depending on what type of look you’re aiming for. To help keep your complexion from smudging, test out Coty Airspun Face Powder, which costs $7 and is light enough to change the color of the foundation, blush or bronzer on your face.
4. Give Yourself Some Color
If you’re worried you might look washed out under the bright lights while on stage, don’t fret and run for a darker pair of tights. Instead, keep your color looking natural with spray tan. Sometimes spray tans can come out streaky or turn a different shade than you expected.
Luckily, that’s not the case with Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, priced at $10. This spray-on formula goes on easy and smoothly so you don’t have to worry about discolored legs or stripes. It also dries fast so you can apply even if you’re in a hurry. If you’re looking for the most even coverage, ask a friend or fellow dancer to spray you down.
5. Consider the imperfections
While you might try your best, not everything can go perfectly all the time. You might accidentally smudge your lipstick, your mascara may smear or you could forget you’re wearing blush and leave an outfit with makeup marks. That’s when it’s wise to have backup. Always bring along a pack of Q-Tips and even a few makeup remover wipes to help you get rid of those errors as soon as they happen.
