Stage Makeup for Kids

Posted 21 November 2018

It’s that time of year again! End of year dance concerts are a source of pride for many dance mums but can also be a major stressor when it comes to getting little people ready for the stage. If you are a first time dance mum, or just a mum who’d like some tips on how to get a full face of makeup on your tiny dancer, read on for all my tips and tricks and product recommendations!

Foundation
Start by finding a nice dark shade of foundation. If your child is as fair as mine, they are easily washed out in the strong lighting used on stage. Makeup that is 2 to 3 shades darker than your child’s natural skin tone is great for fair to medium skin colouring, and 1 – 2 shades for children with dark skin tones. Apply the foundation using a brush, sponge or fingers liberally all over the face and blend into their neck as well as you can. It’s never going to match so just ensure you smooth all the edges under the jawline and around the hairline. Make sure it is even.

Powder

A loose powder or pressed powder is then applied all over the face to help cut down shine and set the makeup. It needs to be darker like the foundation you’ve applied so the child doesn’t look ashen on the stage. Use a brush to apply this for better coverage.

Cheeks

Blush is very important on the stage as it adds colour and definition back to the face. You need a bold plum or brick colour and I find it easier to apply to the correct area if you ask your child to show you their best smile. Use a brush to sweep the colour from the apples of their cheeks right up to their temples. Apply the colour quite heavily as once they are on stage it won’t seem like they have much on at all.

Eyeshadow

You need 2 good matte eyeshadow colours. A pale beige or cream colour for sweeping over the entire lid and a dark brown colour to add definition and contour to the eye. The eyeshadow helps their little eyes to appear open and alert on stage. Use a fluffy brush to apply the pale colour to fill in the entire lid up to the brow bone. Then use quite a stiff brush or sponge tip to apply the brown colour to fill from the lash line to the crease. Create a more almond shaped eye by bringing the dark colour to the outside of the lid in a cats eye or winged shape in line with the lashes. Make sure you fill in the lid quite heavily with the darker colour. I like to take a highlighting shade and apply this with a brush just under the brow bone but it isn’t a necessity.

Top lid eyeliner

For the top lid, I use a liquid liner. Get the child to close their eyes and draw a line as close to the lash line as you can from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner. As you reach the end of the lash line flick it up to a small pointed wing shape. Make sure your child keeps their eyes closed until the liner is entirely dry. If you have a child that won’t sit still or you are not confident in using a liquid liner, a pencil will do the same thing. Just ensure that it is sharp, and you start from the inner corner of the eye.

Mascara

While the liquid liner dries, I like to apply mascara. A good black waterproof mascara is what’s needed. While the child keeps their eyes closed, use your thumb to lift the brow which will pull up the lashes. Apply the mascara quite heavily to all your child’s lashes. Doing it this way means you’ll have less issues with blinking and you’ll also be able to coat the bottom lashes with enough product to make do without having to wave a mascara wand under your child’s open eye!

Pencil liner on the bottom lash line

I always use a black pencil to do bottom liner on my children. If you are confident feel free to use a liquid however it can get quite messy. Make sure your pencil is nice and sharp, that you start from the inner corner and drag the pencil out and that you don’t have a kohl pencil or anything that’s too smudgey for the little ones. I also like to count to 3 with each stroke and then give the child a break so they know when I’m going to stop and they can blink. You may find their eyes will water a bit but it’s nothing that you won’t be able to clean up after. Liner on the bottom lash line is very important to add definition to your child’s eye on the stage.

Lips

Children’s mouths can be tiny, I recommend using a brush to apply lipstick. Always use a red colour unless your told otherwise by your studio. Start by lining the lips and filling it in. This will help keep the colour on. Then use a brush to apply the colour. Don’t worry too much if it isn’t perfect, you won’t see the imperfections on the stage, just that they have colour on. A blue red colour will stand out better than a burgundy shade.

So there you have it! My top tips for getting your prima ballerina ready for the stage this concert season. Below I’ve listed some of my favourite products to use for this type of makeup, if you’d like a step by step instruction head to my YouTube channel or get in touch via my website www.blacklashmua.com.au

Product breakdown

Australis stay put longwear foundation natural beige/natural tan
Australis fresh and flawless powder compact medium tan
Savvy classic blush in Plum
MAC Warm x 15 eyeshadow palette or Smashbox Photo edit eyeshadow trio in Nudie Pic Light
Savvy liquid eyeliner in Black
Models Prefer eyeliner pencil in black
Savvy lip stain in Berry
Savvy long lasting lipstick in Vegas