The Top 10 Performance Makeup Mistakes and How to FIX Them

1. Disappearing Eyebrows

Mistake: Your Eyebrows Are Gone!

Why? Eyebrows are crucial for conveying emotion. Without them, your face can appear expressionless.

Fix It:

Use an angled eyeliner brush to fill in your natural brow shape with a pressed mineral eye shadow powder. Choose a color that matches or is slightly darker than your hair. This technique frames the eyes more naturally than an eyebrow pencil.

2. Black Eyeliner on the Lower Lash Line

Mistake: Using Black Pencil Eyeliner Inside the Lower Lash Line

Why? It makes the eyes look smaller on stage, which is counterproductive.

Fix It:

Brighten your eyes by using a white highlighter pencil on the inside lower lash line and the outer corners of the eyes. This will make your eyes appear larger and more open.

3. Overuse of Black Pencil Liner

Mistake: Using Black Pencil Liner Under the Eye and Too Far into the Inner Corner

Why? This technique can make your eyes look overly rounded and may even give a "cross-eyed" appearance.

Fix It:

Opt for a dark brown eye shadow applied with an eyeliner brush under the eye, starting from under the pupil and brushing outward. Avoid connecting the upper and lower lash liners to keep the whites of your eyes looking large and open.

4. Overly Dark Eye Shadow

Mistake: Applying Dark Eye Shadow Up to the Eyebrow and Too Close to the Nose

Why? This can make your eyes look like black holes, devoid of emotion.

Fix It:

Use a small, angled eye shadow brush to apply darker colors to the crease area, focusing on the outer half of the eye. Avoid bringing the dark contour color too close to the nose.

5. Skipping Foundation

Mistake: Not Wearing Foundation for Stage Performances

Why? Without foundation, your makeup can look spotty and blotchy, especially when you sweat.

Fix It:

Use a lightweight, water-resistant, mineral oil-free foundation to create a smooth surface for your makeup. This will keep your look professional and long-lasting.

6. Overly Thick False Lashes

Mistake: Using False Lashes That Are Too Thick or Too Big

Why? Large lashes can cast shadows under the eyes, making them look sleepy and heavy.

Fix It:

Trim your lashes to fit your eye, always cutting from the outside edge. Choose lashes that are longer on the outer edge and shorter toward the inner eye. Focus on enhancing the outer third of the eye.

7. Incorrect Makeup Colors

Mistake: Using Improper Makeup Colors for Performance

Why? Stage makeup should accentuate facial features under powerful lights, unlike TV makeup, which is more subtle.

Fix It:

Choose neutral, earth tones to highlight natural beauty. Opt for neutral red or rose-toned lipsticks. Avoid overly bright colors that can distract from your performance.

8. Overdoing Blush

Mistake: Going Overboard with Blush

Why? Excessive blush can make your face look older.

Fix It:

Use neutral rose or pink/peach-toned blush colors. Apply starting from the hairline and blend forward around the apples of the cheeks. Ensure the blush does not go below the lip line.

9. Excessive Glitter

Mistake: Going Glitter Overboard

Why? Too much glitter can be distracting to the audience and judges.

Fix It:

Choose one area of the face to apply glitter. Whether it's a red glitter lip or iridescent white on the cheekbones, pick one feature to highlight.

10. Not Enough Makeup

Mistake: Not Using Enough Makeup

Why? Stage lights and distance can cause facial features to lose dimension.

Fix It:

Stage makeup should be bold enough to be visible from the 8th-10th row of the theater. Ensure your makeup is dark enough to define your features under bright lights.

Interesting Stats

• Stage Lighting Impact: According to a study by the Journal of Vision, stage lighting can reduce facial feature visibility by up to 50% (source: Journal of Vision).
• Makeup Industry Growth: The global stage makeup market is expected to grow by 6.5% annually, reaching $3.5 billion by 2025 (source: Statista).
• False Lashes Popularity: A survey by NPD Group found that 70% of professional dancers use false lashes for performances (source: NPD Group).

By avoiding these common mistakes and following these expert tips, you can ensure your makeup enhances your performance, making you look your best on stage.