Definitely the BEFORE picture

Lashes that are too big on LEFT SIDE

The AFTER view!

1)  MISTAKE: No eyebrows!  
When there are no eyebrows visible, we lose the emotional expression of the face.

   FIX IT:  
Apply an eyeshadow one shade darker than hair color (try JAM cosmetic Mineral Eye Shadow in "Flirty Me") with an angled brush to eyebrows for a naturally enhanced look to the eyebrow.  

2)  MISTAKE:  Black pencil eyeliner on the inside of the lower lash line.  
On stage, it makes the eyes look smaller.  This technique is great for TV, fashion shows, print ads, and in person but not for stage performances.

   FIX IT:  
Use a WHITE highlighter on the inner lash line and at the outside corners of the eyes(JAM cosmetics has a great white highlighter that brightens the eyes beautifully!).

3)  MISTAKE:  Black liquid liner under the eye and too far in towards inner corner of eye.  
This technique closes up the eye and can give the appearance of a dancer being "cross-eyed".

   FIX IT:  
Apply a neutral dark brown (JAM cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow in "Fear Me") with an angled brush to the outer third of the lower lash line - do not connect the upper lash liner and the lower lash liner - use white hightlighter pencil in between liners to create the illusion of width to the eyes.  

4)  MISTAKE:  Dark contour color that is too high on the crease of the eye and too far in towards the nose.  
The eyes look like big emotionless, black holes on stage.  

   FIX IT:  
Make sure contour color does not go so high up and collide with the eyebrows.  Use an eye shadow brush with angled bristles (JAM cosmetics 7 piece brush kit) to add a contoured crease.  Focus the color on the outer half of the eye.  BLEND, BLEND, BLEND!!!

5)  MISTAKE:  No foundation worn for stage performances.  
Makeup that is worn without foundation for stage performances looks blotchy when you get sweaty and as the competition day goes on.  I saw dancers that did not even bother to touch up their makeup at all during competition weekends...or maybe they had not even taken it off from the day before?

   FIX IT:  
Foundation creates a clean, matte, long lasting surface for the makeup to be applied to.  Using a lightweight, non-comedogenic, water-resistant foundation (JAM cosmetics Perfection Liquid Foundation), will keep makeup looking smooth and clean ALL DAY LONG - without breaking out!  Less touch-ups are needed with a good, professional foundation.  

6)  MISTAKE:  False lashes that ar too big and/or too thick.  
When the stage lights come down from the top, big lashes caste a shadow under the eyes making them look sleepy, heavy, and closed up.  I saw an amazingly talented studio competing at Nationals, from the judges table, that I could not see a SINGLE EYE - and I was as close to the stage you can possibly get!  Big black, emotionless holes in their face.  That is all I saw, because their eyelashes were too big.  

   FIX IT:  
I recommend a demi-lash (JAM cosmetic only supplies Elise Faux Half Lashes, as they are a high quality demi-lash) as these lashes are already sized perfectly for all shapes and sizes of eyes, and the focus of the lashes is the outer third of the eye.  This creates a sweeping motion that lifts the eye to an almond shape.  This gives the dancer's eyes a much PRETTIER look - which is what we are going for.

7.)  MISTAKE:  Incorrect makeup colors used for stage makeup.  
Just because we see a look on TV, does not mean that it will work for stage lighting.  When a performer is on TV, the makeup is applied as if that person will be standing right in front of it's audience - about 5 feet away.  The makeup is not done for a distance of 50 - 200 feet with intense stage lighting.  Some examples:
      FOUNDATION - Pink-toned foundation can look "ruddy" under stage lighting.  Use warm-toned foundation to keep skin looking healthy on stage.
      EYES - light purple disappears under stage lights, dark purple or dark blue often turn black under stage lighting.  Baby blue was fashionable for stage performances in the 70's, when stage makeup was first being designed, taught, etc. because that was a very FASHIONABLE color in the 70's.  It does not mean that it was the BEST choice then or now...
      LIPS - Purple/hot pink lips - to keep it simple...BAD MAKEUP IS DISTRACTING TO THE JUDGES.  If your lipstick (or blue eyeshadow) stands out more than your dancing - it's distracting.  

   FIX IT:  
Stick to neutral, earth tones that bring out the natural beauty in the dancers face.  JAM cosmeics pre-designed dance makeup kits have the perfect color combinations for stage performance.  

8)  MISTAKE:  Too much blush/sharp line of blush.
This makes the dancer look much older, more mature and also very "hard" looking.  

   FIX IT:  
Make sure you are using a neutral-toned rose or pink/peach blush color (JAM cosmetics Mineral blushes in "Idol" or "Superstar")  

9)  MISTAKE:  Not enough makeup.  
Because of the intensity of the stage lights and the distance from the performer to the audience, the facial features can lose their dimension - they "flatten" out without enough makeup on.

   FIX IT:  
When you go into a new theatre/auditorium, do a makeup rehearsal on stage before you perform.  Have someone go out into the audience and look at you on stage to see if all of the emotions and dimensions can be seen in your face.  JAM cosmetics Mineral colors are vibrant and most importantly, buildable, so you can get the flexibility you need from your dance makeup kit.

10)  MISTAKE:  Lipstick that is TOO red.  
Lipstick that is "clown-like" can look distracting and does not always cross all ethnic skin tones well.  I actually heard a studio director say specifically that he prefers "hooker" red.  My question, "is that what we are going for?".  Can't the girls look gorgeous and NOT wear "hooker" red?  

   FIX IT:  
Most red lipsticks can be toned down by adding a neutral lip liner underneath.  This gives the red color some depth, staying power, and looks stunning on many more skin tones.  Try JAM cosmetics Warm Brandy Lip Pencil over the entire lip surface under the red lip stick.

Now, the biggest FIX IT of all...JAM cosmetics How-To Dance Makeup Videos are available ONLINE at no charge for dance teachers, competitive dancers, professional dancers, and parents. Check them out: www.JAMcosmetics.net.

Lastly, don't shoot me, but... the judges that I have spoke with over the last year have told me REPEATEDLY that they do NOT like glitter.  I am just the messenger:)

I look forward to hearing your questions and/or comments.  You can also email me at:  Info@JAMcosmetics.net

So, there you have it...now go forth and do great makeup!

Best always,
Jessica Dupont
www.JAMcosmetics.net

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