Showcase is a "simplified" version of our Recital. In this, make-up is NOT required, but is an option if that is something your dancer is comfortable using/wearing. Our #1 goal is to make stage makeup and hair easy and accessible for everyone, no matter your experience or knowledge. All items listed are available as a convenience to make this easier for our dancers & families. Nothing is a required purchase. We have also provided make-up and hair diagrams/examples and instructional videos to help make this an easy and fun preparation for the recital.

HAIR

Hair for all female dancers (unless noted otherwise by their instructor) needs to be in a bun. If dancers hair is too short to get into a full bun, the hair needs to be back as best as possible and completely away from the face. Hairspray is now your #1 friend. Buns can be at any height, but should take any accessories or hats the dancer may be wearing into consideration when choosing the bun location. 

Hair Video Tutorials:

• ​Hair Supplies for the Perfect Dance Bun
• Bun Maker Dance Bun
• Donut Dance Bun
• Braided Dance Bun
• Dance Buns for short hair & hair w/ bangs

Product Suggestions:

• Spin pins
• Snap Hair clips
• Bobby pins
• Clear elastic hair bands

STAGE MAKEUP

Why stage makeup? Due to the stage lighting and audience distance, dancers wear makeup to avoid a washed out, formless, and shapeless appearance of the face. Dance performances are exciting for the dancer and should be exciting for the audience as well! 

​Make Up Video Tutorials just for us:

• Young Dancer Makeup Tutorial
• Teen Make-Up Tutorial by Miss Chloe

Recommendations for dancers 3-12: Basic stage makeup. 

• Create your own kit (Check Ulta Beauty or any drug store to get the essentials)
  • Bright pink/red blush
  • Brown eyeshadow
  • Bright red lipstick
  • Mascara (optional, recommended for ages 10+)
  • foundation (optional, recommended for ages 10+)

Basic Stage Make-Up Instructions:

1. Apply brown eye shadow to eye lid
2. Apply blush so that the dancers cheeks are visibly seen from far away with stage lights. This should be more blush than you think looks normal. 
3. Apply lipstick. Keep lipstick clean and crisp on the lips. Apply enough so that the lips will stay red through the entire performance.
4. Optional- apply mascara to upper lashes

Stage make-up is different than street make-up and needs to be applied much stronger than you may typically think. 


Recommendations for dancers 11+: Intermediate/Advanced stage makeup.

• makeup kit suggestions:
  • All in One Make-up kit Variety Products 
  • ​​Mehron Premier Dancer Kit (suggest adding an eye shadow palette to this kit)
• Individual Items suggested:
  • Maybelline Super Stay Matte Liquid Lipstick​
  • e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick
  • e.l.f. Rose gold Eyeshadow palette
  • Makeup setting spray

MALE STAGE MAKEUP
Why stage makeup? Due to the stage lighting and audience distance, dancers wear makeup to avoid a washed out, formless, and shapeless appearance of the face. Dance performances are exciting for the dancer and should be exciting for the audience as well! 
However, we understand that not all boys may be comfortable wearing stage makeup. We will not require anyone to wear stage makeup that is 100% adamantly against it. We would encourage boys & families to think of this as a chance to let their face shine on stage and nothing more. 

For those that are comfortable wearing stage makeup, here are a few suggestions with input from VDS alumni, Jacob Stumpf.

• Create your own kit: 
  • Black eyeliner
  • Deep red or brown blush
  • neutral (but darker than natural color) lipstick
  • ​foundation (optional, recommended for ages 10+)
• Dancers 10+ may also want to get:
  • Ben Nye Personal Kit (be sure to search for the correct creme to match your skin tone)
  • e.l.f products to help with contouring and sculpting face: Contour kit, Bronzer palette

​
Video Tutorials:

• Boy Makeup tutorial - youtube (both eyeliners aren't necessary)​
• Teen Male Makeup tutorial - youtube (contouring optional)

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