Makeup

[dancerfreak5678]

Makeup. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for stage makeup. Everyone has their favorite way to do makeup so I wanted to hear everyone's suggestions. So post away!

[Giselle]

Field makeup: blue eyeshadow, lots of clown blush, red-pink lipstick.
Ballet: purple eyeshadow, cat-like eyeliner, false lashes, blush, and red lipstick.
For general performances on a stage, I use any dark eyeshadow, highlighter on browbone and cheekbones, blush, red-hued lipstick. For jazzy performances, I'll add glitter.

[Swing Kitten]

Now are you asking just about general dance performance or are we talking about something more in a theatrical vein?

[Sagitta]

This subject started me thinking about an older thread when there was talk about ladies looking pale, tanning etc...especially with the harsh lights of the competition floor. No mention of guys...aas far as I recall...

So, do guys wear makeup when performing or competing in dancing?

[redhead]

Sagitta... I had a good laugh with that one not long ago...
One of my friends did a little salsa performance and met me at a club afterwards. It was dark, but I've noticed something weird, his face just looked different. He was wearing black mascara, and he's blond! He couldn't get it off because mascara was waterproof and he didn't have any makeup remover (of course). He still wanted to go out. Oh was it funny :P :lol:

[dancerfreak5678]

I would say w/ guys it's different. I think it's kind of strange for guys to wear makeup. But if you want to you know that's cool. I would just say put something on to even out your complexion because you know you don't want you face to look all splotchy. And w/ guys a good sunless tan will make u look great in the spotlight!

[ballroomboilergirl]

I have found one color palette that seems to work well for all types of dancing and all skin tones/hair colors. A lot of makeup artists call it the "classic" look because its what all the old Hollywood move starlets of the 40's used to wear. You should also keep in mind that the purpose of stage makeup is to stay put and enhance the features of your face that typically get washed out under bright lighting.

I recommend starting off with a good base, since all of your makeup will go on smoother and stay on longer with one. This can best be accomplished with a heavy cream foundation such as Maybelline Pancake Makeup or my personal favorite, MAC Full Coverage Foundation (yes, MAC is a bit pricey, but I have found their products to be of great quality and a worthwhile investment not only for stage makeup, but for everyday makeup as well :D). Get a shade that matches your skin tone EXACTLY. Apply it with a makeup sponge and make sure to blend it well, especially along your jawline to avoid the dreaded "mask" look. If you have any blemishes or areas of irritation on your face, cover them up with a dab of well-blended concealer that either matches your skin tone or is one shade lighter, such as Maybelline Express Makeup 3 in 1 or my favorite once more, MAC Select Cover-Up. Set this base with a light dusting of sheer or translucent loose face powder such as Max Factor Professional loose powder or MAC Select Sheer loose powder. I caution you to apply enough to set everything, but not too much, as it gives your skin a lifeless, masklike appearance onstage.

Next you're going probably going to want some sort of bronzer to counteract the washed-out look stage lighting gives, so dust a bronzer like Bonne Bell Powder Bronze or MAC Bronzing Powder on your cheekbones, nose, chin, across your forehead, and temples (think of areas where the sun hits). Follow up with a blush that is MUCH brighter than you would ever wear in the daytime...one color that seems to work well on all skin tones is Cover Girl Cheekers Blush in Wild Raspberry. Dust it on the apples of your cheeks and blend up your cheekbones.

The palette for eyes stars off with either a white or a slightly off-white shimmery shadow applied from the lashline all the way up to your eyebrows...I recommend a cream formula such as MAC Paints in Stilife because it will make the rest of your shadow last longer, but powder will work as well, such as Cover Girl 1-kit Eyeshadow in French Vanilla. Next you'll want a medium-toned brown or bronze eyeshadow applied from lashline to browbone (the crease in your eye), such as Cover Girl 1-kit Eyeshadow in Swiss Chocolate or MAC Eye Shadow in Amber Lights. Finally, apply a dark chocolate brown shadow only to the crease of your eye, such as Revlon Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Sandstone or MAC Eye Shadow in Embark. Line your upper and lower lashlines heavily with a black pencil such as Revlon Timeliner in Ebony or MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder (I've heard Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne swear by the latter!) You can either finish with several coats of black mascara, such as Maybelline Blackest Black Mascara, or I prefer to wear false eyelashes...my favorites are MAC 21 Lash. Simply trim the lashes to fit along your upper lashline, apply a thin strip of adhesive, close your eye, and apply the lashes as close to your lashline as possible (it helps to have someone do this for you!) DO NOT OPEN YOUR EYE FOR AT LEAST 30 SECONDS!

Finally, line and fill your natural lipline with a neutral lip pencil...the best neutral lip pencil I have found is Wet 'N' Wild Creme Lipliner in #666...and its only 99 cents! Apply a creamy bright red lipstick with blue undertones (it'll make your teeth look whiter) over it (my favorite is MAC Lipstick in Liza Red), blot, reapply, blot again, and then dust your lips with loose powder to set.

I swear by this color combination for all types of dance...it saw me through two years on a high school dance team, three years of cheerleading in elementary and middle school, and now college ballroom dancing. Good luck!

[dancersdreamland]

I highly recommend a subscription to Dance Spirit Magazine which has a feature each month on stage makeup for various theme...i.e. 60s, oriental, animal fund, etc.

I'm not sure if they post the makeup tips ont their site, but it's worth a look...www.dancespirit.com.

[Pacion]

Field makeup: blue eyeshadow, lots of clown blush, red-pink lipstick.
Ballet: purple eyeshadow, cat-like eyeliner, false lashes, blush, and red lipstick.
For general performances on a stage, I use any dark eyeshadow, highlighter on browbone and cheekbones, blush, red-hued lipstick. For jazzy performances, I'll add glitter.

What is meant here by Field makeup?