checklists + tutorials
Hair & Makeup
✔️ Be Stage-Ready!
On competition/performance 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 competition & 1 hour early for recital, unless you are a tiny dancer (arrive 30min before). This extra time allows you to:
✔️ Check-in for attendance!
✔️ Find dressing areas
✔️ Go over dances with your group
✔️ Fix makeup & hair if needed
✔️ 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. TIP FOR BUNS - Wrap Buns with hairnets and pin into place.
(FOR COMPETITION) ADDING RHINESTONES – Add 10-15 Rhinestones per side of the head. Try to avoid placing them directly on top of the head in case your dancer does headstands or forward rolls. Rhinestones can be found at Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Walmart or Craft Stores
Mid-low slicked back ponytail / bun / bubblebraids
We go over hairstyles and hairpieces during the studio rehearsal. It is super important for parents to be in attendance to hear details or changes. Please ask & verify with your teacher to make sure certain hair pieces are the same, or if they are doing a specific hairstyle. All others not listed - Bun/Pony.
- All Ballet & Pointe Routines - Bun
- All Jazz Routines: Pony or Bun
- All Contemporary Routines: Pony or Bun
- All Hip Hop Routines: Ask Instructor
- Tiny dancers: Ask Instructor
- Combo Class: Ask Instructor
- All Competition classes remain the same style as competition, just without the rhinestones on top.
Competition Hair Variations By Class:
(Competition include Rhinestones, Recital NO rhinestones):
- Junior Crew 2 - Bun with Spikey Hair Piece
- Teen Crew - Pony
- Senior Crew - Bun
- The Lorax (Depends on Character)
- Jazz 5 - 2 Bubble Braids from the pony (Use Clear Elastics)
- Jazz 4 - Bun (With red hats)
- Jazz 5 - 2 Bubble Braids from the pony (Use Clear Elastics)
- Junior Crew 1 - High Pig Tails with Pink Scrunchies
- Junior Troupe 1 - High Pig Tail Space Buns
- Junior Troupe 2 - Bun
- Junior Troupe 3 - Bubble Braid from a Pony
- All Troupe - Bun (With feather Headpiece)
- All Ballet & Pointe - Bun
hair variations by class
hair
Competition (w/rhinestones) & recital hair (no rhinestones)
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
