important info + 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!
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
Preparing for a dance competition or recital performances? We’ve got you covered! Below, you'll find quick and easy hair & makeup tutorials along with helpful links to ensure you're performance-ready. We understand that not everyone is a pro at styling hair and applying makeup—and that’s completely okay! All we ask is that you do your best to recreate the designated look. If you need assistance, we have a fantastic community of supportive parents and fellow dancers who are happy to help. Just be sure to make arrangements ahead of time—assistance may not be available on the day of the competition.
Preparation is Key
Competition & Performance makeup TUTORIAL
- 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)
makeup suggestions and links
Competition Hair TUTORIAL
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.
Mid-low slicked back ponytail & bun
+ Jazz 5 - 2 Bubble Braids from the pony (Use Clear Elastics)
+ Junior Crew 1 - High Pig Tails with Pink Scrunchies
+ All Ballets, Pointes - Bun
+ All others - Regular Straightened Pony
Please ask & verify with your teacher to make sure certain hair pieces are the same or if they are doing a specific hairstyle.
Rhinestones can be found :
Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Walmart or Craft Stores
Some classes will have variations of the hair:
goodie elastic Hair ties
bun kit (ballet & pointe)
Clear elastics (bubble braids)
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
