22 Essential Items for Your Dance Makeup Bag – Ultimate Guide

Every dancer knows the importance of having a well-stocked dance makeup bag for performances.

From creating a flawless look to ensuring it lasts through the entire show, the right makeup products and tools can make all the difference.

Trust me, having the essential items in your dance makeup bag will help bring your expressions to life.

IS STAGE MAKEUP REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?

Stage makeup is just as crucial as your dancing, providing the final touch to your appearance and greatly enhancing your character portrayal and confidence.

It’s important for dancers to remember that stage makeup differs significantly from everyday makeup, often necessitating a separate makeup bag specifically for performances.

The intensity of stage lights requires a look that stands out even to the last row in the audience, making darker tones and shades essential.

Additionally, waterproof products are crucial due to the amount of sweating involved. While you don’t need to spend a fortune, quality is important.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR DANCE MAKEUP BAG

Here’s a quick summary of the essential items to include in your dance makeup bag. For more useful information and performance makeup tips, keep reading!

1. Skin Preparation including Moisturiser and Primer.
   
2. Face Makeup including Foundation, Concealer, Setting Powder, Blush, Contour and Highlighter.
   
3. Eye Makeup including Eyeshadow Palette, Eyeliner, Mascara, False Eyelashes, and Eyelash Glue.
   
4. Eyebrows including Brow Pencil or Powder, and Brow Gel.
   
5. Lips including Lip Liner, Lipstick or Lip Gloss.
   
6. Tools and Accessories including Makeup Brushes, Beauty Blender or Sponge, Makeup Removal, and Cotton Swabs or Pads.
   
7. Setting and Finishing including Setting Spray and a Compact Mirror.

1. SKIN PREPARATION

Before applying makeup, it’s essential to prepare your skin, especially during a busy performance week.

The repeated application of heavy stage makeup can take a toll on your skin, so taking the right precautions can help prevent breakouts and dryness.

To begin with, ensure you remove any previous makeup to start with a clean, blank canvas.

Two essential items to consider investing in are a high-quality moisturiser and a primer.

ITEM 1 – MOISTURISER

Moisturiser hydrates the skin and creates a smooth base for makeup.

ITEM 2 – PRIMER

A primer enhances the longevity and appearance of your makeup but also protects your skin from the potential harsh effects of heavy stage makeup.

It also helps to smooth out the skin texture.

2. FACE MAKEUP

For your facial makeup, your kit should include a few essential items suitable for any role or character you perform.

It’s important to have a versatile set of makeup that enhances your facial features and holds up show after show.

ITEM 3 – FOUNDATION

Foundation provides even coverage and a uniform complexion.

When selecting your foundation, choose a shade slightly darker than your natural skin tone. This ensures you won’t appear washed out or ghostly under stage lights.

Remember to keep in mind the time of year, as your skin tone can vary between winter and summer.

Stage foundation can often feel thick, but if it’s of good quality, you only need a small amount to spread and blend evenly.

Be sure to apply foundation to the top of your neck and ears to avoid any harsh lines, aiming for a smooth and natural look.

ITEM 4 – CONCEALER

If your skin needs extra coverage to hide blemishes or dark spots, use a concealer that matches your foundation shade.

ITEM 5 – SETTING POWDER

After applying your base, set your look with a finishing powder.

This will help to lock in your foundation, reduce shine, and create a smooth, matte finish.

Setting powder also helps to minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines, ensuring your makeup stays in place and looks fresh, whilst also providing a layer of protection against sweat and stage lights.

ITEM 6 – BLUSH

Blush adds a natural flush to the cheeks.

When choosing your blush, opt for a shade of pink that complements your complexion. Avoid overly rosy hues; instead, select a shade slightly darker than your natural flush.

A more subdued pink enhances your cheekbones while providing a natural, elegant appearance that stands out under stage lights without making you look overly made-up.

ITEM 7 – CONTOUR OR HIGHLIGHTER

To elevate your look further, experiment with contouring and highlighting to enhance your facial features and add that extra touch.

This technique is particularly effective if your role calls for a more dramatic or mature appearance.

3. EYE MAKEUP

When selecting eye makeup, choose versatile, waterproof colours.

Neutral tones adapt to various looks, allowing for both subtle and dramatic effects.

Waterproof products resist smudging and running, ensuring your makeup stays intact despite sweat and long hours under stage lights.

ITEM 8 – EYESHADOW PALETTE

An eyeshadow palette with neutral shades like cream, beige, and browns is ideal for a simple set.

For more variety, include other colours that you frequently use for your performance looks and to experiment with different hues to compliment your eyes.

One of my favourite eyeshadow palettes is the Kryolan Glamour Glow Palette.

ITEM 9 – EYELINER

Eyeliner defines the eyes and enhances their shape.

Whether you prefer liquid eyeliner or pencil, the key is to choose a waterproof option that allows for easy application.

If you have steady hands, liquid eyeliner might be your best choice (my favourite), but if you need more control, a pencil is a great alternative.

Just ensure your eye pencils are always sharp, as a blunt pencil makes it difficult to create a fine, elegant line.

ITEM 10 – MASCARA

Mascara lengthens and volumises lashes for a dramatic effect.

I’d recommend waterproof mascara, of which there are many options to choose from.

Experiment with different brands until you find one that gives you the long lashes you’ve always dreamed of.

One of my favourite products is Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara.

Also, don’t forget to apply a bit of mascara to your false eyelashes.

This helps blend them seamlessly with your natural lashes and adds an extra layer of definition, ensuring a cohesive and dramatic look.

ITEM 11 – FALSE EYELASHES

I loved using false eyelashes for performances because they make my eyes look bigger, wider, and more striking.

Although they can feel strange at first, you get used to them really quickly.

False eyelashes enhance your overall stage presence by drawing attention to your eyes, making your expressions more noticeable even from a distance.

With practice, applying them becomes easier (make sure you use good quality lash glue), and their dramatic effect can take your performance look to the next level.

ITEM 12 – EYELASH GLUE

Eyelash Glue helps keep those false lashes in place.

Normally, when you purchase false eyelashes, they come with a small tube of eyelash glue.

However, I found that this glue is not very sweat-resistant.

I’d recommend investing in a high-quality adhesive to ensure your eyelashes stay in place during a performance, especially in the middle of a pas de deux!

4. EYEBROWS

Your eyebrows are a crucial part of your face and shouldn’t be forgotten!

ITEM 13 – BROW PENCIL OR POWDER

To touch up your eyebrows, fill in any gaps, add volume, or clean up their shape using an eyebrow pencil or powder.

I recommend using a slightly darker shade than your natural colour to create perfectly shaped and sculpted brows.

ITEM 14 – BROW GEL

For the final touch, apply eyebrow gel (either clear or tinted) to set your brows in place and add a subtle sheen, colour and depth.

This will enhance their natural appearance.

5. LIPS

Every dancer should own a few different lipsticks in their dance makeup bag.

The two most important colours are red and a natural lip colour.

With just these two shades, you can create the perfect lips for any stage performance.

ITEM 15 – LIP LINER

Lip liners are excellent for outlining your lips before applying lipstick, and prevents lipstick from feathering.

It’s important to have liners that closely match your lipstick shades, as this makes filling in the colour much easier later.

ITEM 16 – LIPSTICK/LIPGLOSS

Lipstick comes in various forms, from traditional sticks to lip gloss applicators.

I’d recommend trying a matte finish to minimise unwanted shine from stage lights.

Something like Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick will definitely do the trick.

One final tip, always check your teeth before stepping on to stage!

6. DANCE MAKEUP TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES

Investing in a quality set of makeup brushes, including brushes for your eyes, eyebrows, lips, and cheeks is essential for achieving precise and flawless makeup application.

ITEM 17 – MAKEUP BRUSHES

Different makeup brush shapes and widths allow for better control and versatility.

This will allow you to apply various colours, add depth and texture accurately, and reach tricky areas with ease.

ITEM 18 – BEAUTY BLENDER OR SPONGE

For applying foundation, every dancer may prefer a different method of application.

Sponges, brushes, or even hands are all perfectly fine, and the choice is entirely up to you.

I prefer a sponge like the BounBoun Wonder Blender because it offers the fastest and easiest application with the smoothest finish, minimising the need for extensive blending afterward.

ITEM 19 – MAKEUP REMOVER

When it comes to removing makeup, especially the thicker, waterproof, and more pronounced stage makeup, it’s crucial to use a makeup remover that suits your skin type (ie. normal, sensitive, acne-prone, oily).

Look for something that soothes without causing irritation.

I found makeup wipes to be awful, leaving my skin burning, red, and dry. I preferred to use a liquid based remover or jojoba oil with cotton pads.

Jojoba oil is an excellent makeup remover that is gentle on the skin and effectively dissolves makeup, including waterproof products.

It not only removes makeup but also moisturises your skin, leaving it soft and hydrated.

ITEM 20 – COTTON SWABS OR PADS

Cotton swabs are essential for touch-ups, especially when using eye or lip liners.

They help you fix makeup without needing to redo it completely and smooth out harsh lines.

Cotton pads are perfect for makeup removal if you’re using a liquid or oil, and they can also be cheap and can be bought in bulk.

7. SETTING AND FINISHING

ITEM 21 – SETTING SPRAY

Did you know that you don’t need to buy a special setting spray?

Hairspray works just as well!

Simply close your eyes and give your face a quick spritz.

Since most dancers already have a bottle of hairspray on hand, it won’t cost you anything extra, and your makeup will stay perfectly in place.

ITEM 22 – COMPACT MIRROR

While a compact mirror might not be essential if you’re applying makeup in a dressing room with proper lighting and mirrors, it becomes invaluable for quick touch-ups or last-minute adjustments due to its portability and small size.

Personally, having a compact mirror has saved me a lot of time and allowed me to quickly check my dance makeup on-the-go (especially when you’re sweating) between dance breaks.

WRAP UP

You don’t need to spend a fortune on high-quality stage makeup. With the right essential dance makeup items and tools, you can achieve a look that enhances your dancing and highlights your expressions and features.

Having a well-prepared dance makeup bag ensures that you’re ready for any performance with confidence and style.

By stocking up on these 22 essential items, you can create a flawless look that withstands the rigours of dancing and leaves you looking stunning on stage.

Preparation is key to a successful performance, so make sure your dance makeup bag is always performance-ready!