Competition Essentials – Makeup Supplies

I might be biased, but I’ve always felt that competition dancers have it harder than other athletes.  After all, dancers have to bring the whole “package” to the stage.  Not only do they have to be talented, hard working performers, but they also need to look GOOD while executing those sky-high leaps, dizzying turns, and other powerful movements.  Thankfully, there is makeup!

New dance moms are often surprised and overwhelmed by the makeup items they have to purchase (and know how to use) that first year.  During our recent company meeting, I spied a few raised eyebrows among the newbies when a veteran dance mom opened her rolling train case to reveal the supplies within.  But fret not – most moms get the hang of it eventually (or they learn to barter services with another dance mom).

First thing’s first, though.  You’ll need to purchase everything, and then organize it all.  More than likely, your studio will give you a list of required items for purchase.  This list includes everything that I (and other dance moms) could think of, including a few items that are less commonly requested.  Anything underlined has a link to a suggested product (if it’s on Amazon, it’s a commissioned link).

*This post contains sponsored links. As an Amazon Influencer, I may make a small commission if you purchase an item using one (at no cost to you).

Face and Cheeks – The “Canvas”

Creating a blank slate out of your dancer’s face might be a tough task (lookin’ at you, acne), but it’s necessary to create a clean slate for the rest of their “look.”

Primer – Before you apply anything else to your dancer’s face, invest in a decent primer.  In this Good Housekeeping article, celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg explains, “Primer creates a smooth canvas for your makeup.  It also keeps your makeup in place, keeps it from moving, [and] can keep it matte or luminous,” depending on the formula and your child’s skin.  An economical choice with great ratings is Covergirl’s Outlast All-Day Makeup Primer.

Foundation – You’ll need to invest some time and legwork into finding the right shade for your dancer.  Stage lights are unforgiving, so an unnatural look will be magnified for all to see.  We use powder foundation ourselves, but there are some dancers that prefer liquid.  Check with your studio first (they may nix the liquid because it could stain the costumes).  Recently, another dance mom asked for recommendations so I posted her question on my Facebook page.  If you’d like to see what the community came up with, check out the post here.

Concealer – Blemishes and other unsightly spots can happen to dancers of all ages, so take some concealer along.  Again, do your best to match the shade to your dancer’s coloring, or go slightly lighter.  This L’Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Crayon Concealer is a solid go-to (check the shade to see if it will work with your dancer’s coloring).

Blush – Here is another item that your studio might regulate closely so that all the dancers match.  Remember that stage lights tend to “wash” the performers out, so don’t be afraid to be a little more heavy-handed than usual.  This Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in Rose is just so pretty.

Eyes – The “EYES” Have It!  

As dancers become older and more experienced, they learn to use their eyes to help tell their story.  Glamming them up helps to attract attention to those peepers, so this is no time for subtlety.

Eye Primer – As tempting as it might be to skip this, we always start with a primer.  Competition days are long, so apply a primer first to minimize creasing, smudging, and general wear and tear.  People swear by Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion, but Revlon’s Colorstay Eyeshadow Primer comes in at a much lower price point (and is Amazon’s Choice).

Liner – Personally, I’m willing to invest a little more into a quality eyeliner so that chunks of pencil don’t break off into my girls’ eyes.  Typically, the studio will want black but you’ll want to double-check.  Surprisingly, this Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup-Proof Retractable Eyeliner has fantastic ratings and is extremely affordable.

Shadow – The studio may require a specific palette to be purchased, so always ask first. If anything goes (for example, your dancer is only performing a solo that day), consider a complete palette like this.

Lashes – Many dancers purchase the Bunheads brand of eyelashes (you can get them from Discount Dance Supply here).  If your studio does not require a specific brand, look for multi-packs from manufacturers like Ardell or Kiss to keep costs down.  Don’t forget to snip them so they match the length of your dancer’s eyes first!  

Magnetic Lashes? – The jury is still out on magnetic lashes, it seems.  While some people love them, others just…don’t.  Keep your eyes (haha) open for ones that have really solid ratings before giving them a go (like this Arishine set).

Lash Adhesive – Some eyelash kits come with their own little tube of adhesive.  If not, you’ll need to make some decisions (brush-on or squeeze, black or clear, etc.).  For us, we prefer this Duo brush-on glue that dries clear.  Pro-tip – Put the glue on the lash, wait about 20-30 seconds to allow it to “gum up,” and apply to your dancer’s lids.

Mascara – Typically, the studio will allow you to choose your own.  Consider whether you want regular or waterproof, and which color (black tends to be the most popular).  We don’t use waterproof because I’d rather it come off easily with makeup wipes at the end of the day.  One of the most popular mascaras out there is this essence Lash Princess – False Lash Effect 3-pack.

Glitter – To add a little extra sparkle to accent those peepers, many dancers wear a bit of glitter.  If you use eyelash glue and then dot the glitter on, it is less likely to flake off and land in your dancer’s eye.  Be careful, though – having globs of glue can lead to an uneven spottiness.  This NYX Professional Makeup Metallic Glitter comes in a ton of colors, and is a #1 best seller.

Extra Credit:  glitter primer – We personally haven’t used this yet, but some dance moms swear by it.  It lessens the likelihood that the glitter will fall into your dancer’s eye.  I bought this NYX Professional Makeup Glitter Primer to try this year.

Lips – For Fabulous Facials

As expressive as the eyes can be, dancers rely so heavily on their mouths to convey the emotions of their piece.  Prepping them properly will help your dancer feel confident!

Lip Primer – For a smooth, even application, investing the small amount of time and effort a primer requires is well worth it.  A good primer prevents “feathering” and other types of distortions to the color you apply.  It will also help keep the lips from drying out if the color is a cheaper formula.  Try MAC Prep + Prime Lip for its moisturizing benefits.

Color – More than likely, your studio will specify the lip color you’re required to apply.  Many experienced dance moms swear by Lipsense if you’re allowed to choose your own.  My advice is to avoid the cheap stuff; you want to avoid smearing, staining, and low staying power when it comes to the lip color.

Lip Liner/Pencil – Outlining the lips with a pencil helps to prevent the color from bleeding onto the skin.  However, it’s tricky business if your child is twitchy.  Plus, the color of the pencil needs to match the color itself pretty closely.  One great solution I’ve found is a clear lip liner – it still “corrals” the color, but you don’t have to worry if your hand wasn’t completely steady when you applied it.  And it’s a spot-on match for literally ANY color!  We have this one by Maybelline; if you want to scale up, try the one from Urban Decay.

Other Essentials

Setting Spray – A quick spritz can help the makeup set and stay for hours.  We’ve used this NYX Makeup Setting Spray with good results; it’s a #1 best seller with over 55k ratings.

Blending sponges – Harsh lines can ruin a look, so BLEND that makeup to achieve a more natural appearance. This 5-piece set by Beakey is a #1 best seller, with almost 70k ratings. To keep them from getting dirty, get yourself a breathable case (low in cost, and well worth the money).

Brush Set – A decent brush set is worth the investment.  If you’re not sure what each brush is for, YouTube can be your best friend!  This set by Real Techniques is wallet-friendly and has a perfect 5-star rating.

Makeup Wipes – To take the day off quickly and easily, you just can’t beat a good makeup wipe.  I like these Neutrogena wipes because they’re individually packaged (so they won’t dry out like a large package).

Makeup Remover Cloths – If your dancer finds makeup wipes too drying for their skin (or you’re just wanting the convenience), makeup remover cloths that work with just water can be a godsend. One of the more famous brands is the Makeup Eraser, but there are more economical versions as well (like this one).

Makeup Remover Stick – To fix makeup snafus, consider keeping a small “eraser” on hand. This Neutrogena makeup remover stick is enriched with vitamin E, and is perfect for fixing smudged eyeliner, lipstick, and more.

Cotton Swabs –  To help fix makeup snafus with precision, cotton swabs can’t be beat.  We use the ones with the pointed ends for more definition.  For plain cotton swabs, raid your local dollar store (for other items you can score, check out Dollar Store Finds for Dancers).

Lotion – For dry, flaky skin, apply some lotion especially for facial use (we like CeraVe, a #1 best seller with almost 70k ratings).  If the skin has been irritated, we have great success with Aquaphor.

Tweezers – Grab those stray hairs with a set of travel tweezers.

Blotting Sheets or Facial Roller – Let’s “face” facts – dancers get sweaty, and some are prone to oily skin to begin with.  Rather than starting the makeup process from scratch, try blotting papers or a facial roller (I have this one by Revlon, which I reviewed here on YouTube) to absorb the excess.

Equipment

Makeup Case – No matter what you put it in (rolling train case, soft fabric case, makeup backpack, Caboodle, etc.), you’ll want to keep your supplies protected for transit.  When you’re first starting out, it makes sense to start small.  If you’re certain that your dancer is in it for the long haul, think about investing into something larger and sturdier (like a rolling train case).

Hanging and/or Lighted Mirror – During long events, your dancer will want to check and adjust her makeup occasionally.  Keep in mind that dressing rooms can be poorly lit, so having a lighted mirror can lessen the frustration and guesswork.  Foldable tabletop lighted mirrors (like this one) can be helpful!

Folding Stool – Keeping a steady hand while standing up is a tall order. With a folding stool, your dancer can apply their makeup more evenly.

That’s a Wrap!

While this list might seem overwhelming, believe me when I tell you that I have used EACH and EVERY item on it!  Plus, I’ve been asked by many other dance moms about some of these, and they wound up purchasing them down the road.  Personally, I always like to be 100% prepared for whatever comes our way, so I’m happy to keep extra supplies on hand.

For a customized look for the whole team, check out the kits and individual items offered by Ba*Star.  Their products are made especially for dancers and cheerleaders, so they’re made to take a beating.

If I’ve left anything off, please let me know in the comments!

For more competition essentials, check out Hair Supplies and Costuming!