Stage Makeup for Kids

Posted 21 November 2018 - Edited January 2025

Dance competitions and 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. I’ve been a dance mum and makeup artist for over 10 years and I’m a pro at the perfect stage makeup look. 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 and ears 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. I love the Rimmel Lasting finish 35hr foundation for a finish that doesn’t come off on costumes.

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 a colourless finely milled powder 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. Depending on the foundation you use, and  the length of time that you child has to have their makeup on for, you may not need the powder. The Rimmel foundation I have recommended is a nice matte finish and does not budge,  even without the use of powder or once they get a bit hot or sweaty.

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, I love the Savvy by DB Classic Blush you can buy it at Priceline, 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 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 leaving some lightness to the inner corner (about a third) to enhance the open eye illusion. I like to take a highlighting shade and apply this with a brush just under the brow bone but it isn’t a necessity. If you find that you are constantly getting fall out from your eyeshadow perhaps try a different product or brush. The other option is to do the child’s eyes prior to applying the foundation but ALWAYS apply a layer of your foundation to the eyelid area first so that the shadow has something to stick to. Then you can clean up under the eye with a moisturiser and apply foundation after. The Morphe palette in Neutral Territory the Mecca Max mini mix eyeshadow palette.

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. I find that if you use the texta style pens you can push the flat edge of the liner against the lash line which will give you more control and a straighter line. Make sure your child keeps their eyes closed until the liner is entirely dry. Then get them to open their eye so you can create a little wing. The wing of the liner should be on the same angle as the lower lash line. If you ask the child to look straight ahead and press the pen on the outer corner, in line with the lower lashes, you should be able to make a nice little wing on each side. You can also mark this out with eyeshadow first if you are not confident, eyeshadow is easier to cover or clean up then liquid eyeliner. 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. Use and angled brush to flick the liner into a thinner wing shape.

Mascara

While the liquid liner dries, I like to apply mascara. A good black waterproof or tubing 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! Do not share mascara and ensure that you replace this every 3 months once opened regardless of how much you have used. For this reason I do not spend a lot on mascara. I love a tubing mascara for little sensitive eyes as it does not budge and is easier to remove than waterproof options. I love the Modelrock Tube Tech lengthening mascara.

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. Get them to look right up at the ceiling for this one. 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, however if they are quite small don’t worry if you can’t manage this step. Another trick to try if they are not coping is to sit on the ground with their heads in your lap so they are looking right up, then try applying it on that angle. The Stila Stay all day smudge and set waterproof pencils are great as they wind up and don’t move once they are set.

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. Long wear lipsticks are quite popular for dance but BEWARE these lipsticks are impossible to correct and I find the brushes clunky and difficult to use. If you are going to use a liquid long wear product, ensure that you’ve practiced before the big day and use a lip brush rather than the applicator that it comes with.

So there you have it! My top tips for getting your prima ballerina ready for the stage this concert or competition season. If you would like a little more help, or some tailor made recommendations, head to my website for my Stage Makeup Tutorial Digital Download. I’ve included a step by step video tutorial and my recommended products sheet with all you need to purchase to create a perfect stage makeup look at home.