How to Apply Stage Makeup for Girls

Stage makeup for girls is different than every day makeup techniques.

Applying stage makeup for girls is similar to applying every day makeup, but on a more dramatic level. This makeup application is not meant for a young girl to wear to school, but rather as part of a dance recital or show where she is on stage. Some dance schools will have specifics of what they want regarding makeup for a certain dance number or event, so check with the instructor prior to applying makeup.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizer
• Primer
• Foundation brush
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Pencil Eyeliner (black)
• Liquid Eyeliner (black)
• Thin liner brush (optional)
• Eye shadow brush
• Eye shadow (neutral)
• Faux eye lashes
• Eye lash glue
• Q-tips
• Mascara (black)
• Brow gel or clear mascara (optional)
• Tapered blush brush
• Blush
• Lip liner (neutral)
• Lipstick
• Lip gloss

Instructions

1. Apply moisturizer. Dot moisturizer on the forehead, cheeks and chin. Blend out so the entire face is covered in moisturizer. Allow moisturizer to dry and sink into skin for a few minutes before moving on to Step 2.

2. Apply primer. Primer prolongs the look of fresh facial makeup and also prevents caking. Dot primer in the same areas as moisturizer and blend out.

3. Apply foundation. For stage makeup, a full coverage foundation is needed. More is more in this case. Pump or pour a bit of makeup onto the back of the hand. You can always add more if needed. Pick up foundation with a foundation brush and apply to the face. Use a stippling motion to put makeup on the face and then blend out, moving in a downward motion. If there are still problem areas (which will be unlikely with young girls), cover with a concealer using a patting motion and blending with fingers.

4. Dust a neutral eye shadow over the entire eye. Use a shadow brush and pick up a shadow similar to the girl's skin tone. Apply the shadow from the brow bone to the lid, blending thoroughly.

5. Apply eye liner. First work with a pencil eye liner and then define with liquid liner. This is a crucial part of stage makeup since eyes should pop from afar. Dot pencil liner along the top lash line. Use quick strokes to create a precise line and then connect the dots. Next apply liquid liner. Use a thin liner brush for easy application. Paint the liner brush with the liquid liner and go over the pencil liner. Gently thicken the line and softly wing out the liner at the ends, if needed. Apply brow gel or clear mascara to the brows to calm down any stray hairs.

6. Apply faux lashes and mascara. For young girls, you may need to cut lash strips so they properly fit the eye. Use a Q-tip to apply lash glue to the back of lashes. Allow lash glue to reach a tacky consistency for a few seconds and then apply to the upper lash line.

   Use the end of a shadow brush to gently press lashes into the lash line. Allow glue to dry and go over the area with liquid liner, blending the faux lash strip and liner together. Apply mascara to blend natural and faux lashes.

7. Apply blush. Use a gentle hand with a bright pink or red blush. Use a tapered blush brush which allows you to place color and then blend. Apply color to the apples of the cheeks and blend thoroughly. Blush should appear as a wash of color radiating from the cheeks.

8. Apply lip products. Line lips with a neutral lip pencil regardless of what color lipstick and gloss you are using. This ensures a natural look should lip color fade. Line lips with the neutral lip pencil and fill in to prevent feathering. Apply lipstick on top and blot with a tissue. Lastly, apply gloss to the center of the lips and blend.

Tips & Warnings

• Before buying products for stage makeup, check with the dance school or organization to be sure there are no specifics for makeup. Some will require red lips, blue eye shadow, etc. so be sure you know what to buy to avoid wasting money on items you don't need.

References

• Dance.net: How to Apply Stage Makeup

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish