checklists + tutorials
Competition Hair & Makeup
✔️ Be Stage-Ready!
On competition day, dancers must arrive fully dressed in their first performance costume with hair and makeup already done. This ensures a smooth and stress-free start to the event. YES, COMPETITIONS CAN RUN HOURS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. Be prepared for sudden schedule changes. Competitions have strict rules, and if you're not ready to perform when called, your entire group may not be adjudicated. Arriving early ensures you’re ready to take the stage without stress!
Preparing for a competition or recital? Below are quick hair and makeup tutorials to help you achieve the required look.We understand not everyone is experienced with styling—just do your best. If you need help, please arrange it ahead of time, as assistance may not be available on the day of the event.
Preparation is Key
✔️ Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at least 1-2 hours before your first scheduled routine for competition and 1 hour early for recital performances. This extra time allows you to:
✔️ Find dressing areas
✔️ Go over dances with your group
✔️ Fix makeup & hair if needed
✔️ Check-in for attendance
✔️ Warm up & stretch
Make-up
- Besteel Face Jewels Clear or Iridescent (amazon)
- Hobby Lobby, Walmart or Craft Stores
- Dancers will need a foundation and a bronzer/blush that works for their skin type. This will be the base.
- 9t Neutral Territory Artistry Palette (Amazon/Ulta) (used in the video)
- Nude Mood Eyeshadow Palette (Amazon/Ulta ) (better shades and shimmer)
- Similar Options can be found Walgreens or walmart (must have cream and brown shades)
- NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Liner, Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner (Amazon)
- Vivid Matte Liner Black ( amazon, walmart, or walgreens)
- Lashify (Order Ahead of Time)
- Kiss False Lashes (Walgreens, Walmart, amazon and Ulta all have options)
- Red Punch Lip Color
- Revolution Setting Spray (Ulta)
- Other Amazon Setting Sprays
makeup suggestions and links
Competition & Performance
1. Brush out hair and create a middle part. It helps to clip up front hair section.
2. Apply your styling cream. Work a small amount of styling cream into your hands before smoothing through the root back toward where the pony will be.
3. Smooth and gather hair. Using your bristle brush, begin to smooth and gather hair. We are gathering our hair in a MID-LOW pony (In line with your ears).
4. Secure your pony. Wrap your elastic around your ponytail to secure your style in place. Wrap your pony with a small amount of hair from the underside of your ponytail and pin into place on the bottom of the pony.
5. Fine-tune the look. Go back with a bristle teasing brush and a small amount of styling cream, wax stick or hairspray to smooth down baby hairs. If your dance calls for a bun, twist into bun and secure with hair net and pins.
ADDING RHINESTONES – Add 10-15 Rhinestones per side of head. Try to avoid placing them directly on top of head in case your dancer does headstands or forward rolls. Rhinestones can be found : Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Walmart or Craft Stores
TIP FOR BUNS - Wrap Buns with hairnets and pin into place.
Mid-low slicked back ponytail / bun / bubblebraids
- Junior Crew 1 - High Pig Tails with Pink Scrunchies
- Junior Crew 2 - Bun with Spikey Hair Piece
- Teen Crew - Pony
- Senior Crew - Either 2 Bubble Braids out of pony or Bun (Depending on performance schedule)
- Musical Theater (Bun or Wig / Depends on Character)
- Jazz 4 - Bun (With red hats)
- Jazz 5 - 2 Bubble Braids from the pony (Use Clear Elastics)
- Junior Troupe 1 - High Pig Tail Space Buns
- Junior Troupe 2 - Bun
- Junior Troupe 3 - Bubble Braid from a Pony
- Junior Troupe 4 - Bun
- Senior 1 - Bun
- Senior 2 - Bun
- Senior 3 - Bun with Viney Hair Piece
- All Troupe - Bun (With feather Headpiece)
- All Ballet & Pointe
hair variations by class
hair
Competition & Performance
what is the best tip?
Arrive Early & be Ready
can i have nail polish?
No Nail polish or jewelry (unless part of costume)
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I GET THERE?
Find dressing room + stretch
should i arrive ready?
arrive with hair and makeup done
