Preparing for a performance involves far more than perfecting choreography. The right makeup, accessories and body products pull a stage look together, boost confidence under bright lights and keep costumes secure through every turn and leap. At Total Dance, Australia's home of premium dancewear, we work with dancers and dance parents every season to help them find products that genuinely perform. This buying guide walks you through the essentials, from volume lashes to body tape, so you can make confident, informed choices for your dancer's next performance.
Understanding Your Performance Needs Before You Buy
Before adding anything to your cart, it helps to think about a few key factors. Every dancer's situation is different, and the best product for a ballet eisteddfod may not be the right choice for a jazz competition under festival lighting.
Dance Style and Stage Conditions
Stage lighting is intense and often harsh. Products that look great in natural light can disappear completely under stage wash, which is why bold, pigmented choices tend to work best for most performance contexts. Ballet typically calls for a classic, polished finish, while jazz, contemporary and lyrical allow for more dramatic colour and shimmer. Tap can involve quick costume changes, so ease of application and removal matters just as much as the look itself.
Skin Type and Sensitivity
Younger dancers, in particular, may have sensitive skin that reacts to certain adhesives or heavy theatrical products. Always patch-test new body tapes and adhesives on a small area of skin at least 24 hours before a performance. If your dancer has eczema, rosacea or known allergies, look for products marketed as suitable for sensitive skin and consult your GP or dermatologist if you are unsure.
Budget and Value
Performance accessories can add up quickly across a competition season. Prioritise the products that do the most work, secure costumes, define facial features under lighting and add sparkle, and be selective about where you spend versus where you save.
Comparing the Key Products: What to Look For
Our makeup, body and accessories range covers everything a dancer needs from audition to awards night. Here is a closer look at the most essential categories and how to choose between options.
Volume Lashes
False lashes are one of the most effective ways to ensure a dancer's eyes read clearly from the back row. Volume lashes add density and drama without requiring multiple coats of mascara, which can smudge and run under hot stage lights.
What to look for:
- Band flexibility: A flexible band sits more comfortably along the lash line and is less likely to lift at the corners during an energetic routine.
- Lash density: For stage performance, choose a fuller, more dramatic style. For younger dancers or exam settings, a more natural volume lash is more appropriate.
- Reusability: Quality lashes can be cleaned and reused across multiple performances, making them better value over a season.
- Adhesive quality: Look for a latex-free adhesive option if your dancer has known sensitivities. Apply adhesive to the band, allow it to become tacky for 30 seconds, then press firmly along the lash line.
Best for: All dance styles for older students. For younger children, consult with your dance teacher about whether false lashes are appropriate for their age group and performance context.
Dance Costume and Body Tape
Body tape is one of those products that earns its place in every dance bag, regardless of style or level. It keeps costume necklines in place, secures straps, prevents wardrobe malfunctions and can even be used to hold bra straps flat beneath racerback tops.
What to look for:
- Skin-safe adhesive: Look for tape specifically designed for skin contact, not generic craft or packing tape. Dance Costume and Body Tape is formulated to stay put through sweat and movement without causing irritation on removal.
- Width: Narrower tape is ideal for straps and fine costume details. Wider tape provides more coverage for necklines and bodices.
- Fabric compatibility: Test the tape on an inconspicuous section of the costume fabric before the day of performance. Some delicate fabrics can be affected by adhesive residue.
- Easy removal: A good body tape should release cleanly from skin without excessive pulling. Removing slowly and pressing the skin flat as you peel helps minimise discomfort.
Best for: All dancers, all styles. Body tape is a non-negotiable backstage essential at every level of competition and performance.
Diamante Round Magnetic Earrings
Jewellery for performance needs to be secure, lightweight and appropriate for the stage. The Diamante Round Magnetic Earrings are a practical choice for dancers whose ears are not pierced, and they offer strong visual impact without the safety concerns of clip-on styles that can work loose during fast movements.
What to look for:
- Magnet strength: The earring should stay in place through head rolls, turns and jumps without feeling uncomfortable or pinching.
- Size and sparkle: Under stage lighting, a little sparkle goes a long way. A round diamante style catches light beautifully and complements most costume colours.
- Age appropriateness: Magnetic earrings are suitable for children, but parents should supervise younger dancers and ensure earrings are stored safely after use, as small magnets can pose a risk if swallowed. For current product safety guidance, refer to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Product Safety Australia resource.
Best for: Ballet, lyrical and contemporary where elegant, understated sparkle is preferred. Also suits jazz and tap when matched to a more glamorous costume.
Glitter Spray
Glitter spray adds a finishing touch that reads beautifully under performance lighting, adding dimension to hair, shoulders and décolletage without the mess of loose glitter. It is particularly popular for jazz, contemporary and lyrical performances where a luminous, polished finish is part of the aesthetic.
What to look for:
- Body-safe formulation: Choose a glitter spray designed for use on skin and hair, not a craft product. The formula should be non-irritating and easy to remove.
- Colour: Gold and silver are the most versatile choices, complementing the widest range of costume colours. Holographic or coloured glitter sprays work well for specific themes or costuming.
- Finish duration: A good glitter spray should last the length of a performance without flaking excessively. Some products benefit from a light application of hairspray over the top to lock the glitter in place on hair.
- Application technique: Hold the can at least 30 centimetres from the body and apply in sweeping motions rather than a concentrated spray. Less is often more, particularly for younger dancers.
Best for: Jazz, contemporary, lyrical and musical theatre. Use sparingly for ballet and classical styles where a clean, polished look is usually required.
Makeup Remover
After the curtain comes down, thorough makeup removal is just as important as application. Heavy theatrical makeup, including stage foundation, false lash adhesive and glitter, needs a product that is effective yet gentle enough for regular use on young skin.
What to look for:
- Effectiveness on waterproof products: Stage makeup is designed to last, so a standard gentle cleanser may not be sufficient. Look for a makeup remover formulated to dissolve waterproof and long-wear formulas.
- Gentle on skin: Especially important for younger dancers, choose a fragrance-free, alcohol-free formula where possible.
- Format: Micellar water is gentle and effective for most skin types. Oil-based removers are excellent for dissolving heavy foundation and lash adhesive but may not suit oily or acne-prone skin. Remover wipes are convenient for backstage but should be followed by a proper cleanse at home.
- Residue-free: A good makeup remover leaves skin clean and comfortable, with no greasy film or tightness.
Best for: All dancers. Make Makeup Remover a non-negotiable part of every post-performance routine, particularly for younger students whose skin is still developing.
Building Your Complete Performance Kit
Once you have chosen the right individual products, it is worth thinking about how they work together as part of a broader performance kit. A well-organised dance bag means nothing is forgotten in the rush before curtain-up.
Alongside your makeup and body accessories, consider adding the 20 Piece Diamond Make-up Brush Set to your kit for precise, professional-quality application. Good brushes make a noticeable difference to how makeup looks under stage lighting, helping to blend and build coverage evenly. The Rainbow Stick on Gems are another versatile addition, perfect for adding custom sparkle to costumes, hair pieces and body art designs for specific routines.
For storage and organisation, the Mesh Pointe Bag and Waterproof Bag are both practical options for keeping makeup and accessories separate from dance shoes and clothing. The Waterproof Bag is particularly useful for keeping liquid products contained and easy to find backstage.
To browse everything you need for performance day, shop our full performance accessories collection and build your kit with confidence.
Quick Buying Guide Summary
| Product | Best For | Key Buying Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Lashes | All styles, older students | Band flexibility, reusability |
| Dance Costume & Body Tape | All dancers, all levels | Skin-safe adhesive, easy removal |
| Diamante Round Magnetic Earrings | Ballet, lyrical, contemporary | Magnet strength, size |
| Glitter Spray | Jazz, contemporary, lyrical | Body-safe formula, colour |
| Makeup Remover | All dancers post-performance | Effective on waterproof products |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove false lash adhesive without irritating my dancer's skin?
The gentlest approach is to soak a cotton pad in an oil-based makeup remover or micellar water and hold it gently over the lash line for 20 to 30 seconds before attempting to remove the lash. This dissolves the adhesive without pulling. Never tug lashes away without first loosening the adhesive, as this can cause discomfort and damage the natural lashes. Following removal, use a gentle cleanser to remove any remaining residue.
Is body tape safe for children's skin?
Dance Costume and Body Tape is designed to be skin-safe, but every child's skin is different. It is always a good idea to patch-test on a small area of skin, such as the inner forearm, at least 24 hours before performance day. Avoid applying tape over broken, sunburned or eczema-affected skin. If you have any concerns about skin reactions, speak with your GP or a dermatologist. For broader guidance on product safety for children, the Product Safety Australia website is a useful resource.
What is the best glitter spray application technique for a young dancer?
Always apply glitter spray in a well-ventilated area and ask your dancer to close their eyes and mouth during application. Hold the can at a minimum of 30 centimetres from the skin and use short, sweeping motions. Apply a light layer first and build up as needed rather than saturating the skin. Avoid spraying near the face unless using a product specifically formulated for facial application. A light misting on the shoulders, collarbone and hair is usually sufficient for a beautiful stage effect.
How many false lashes can I reuse before replacing them?
With proper care, quality false lashes can be reused anywhere from three to five times, sometimes more. After each use, gently peel away any dried adhesive from the band using your fingers or a pair of clean tweezers. Store lashes in their original tray to maintain their shape. Avoid getting mascara on false lashes as this breaks down the fibres. If the band becomes misshapen or the lashes start to fall out, it is time to replace them rather than risk an unreliable result on performance day.
