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Step-By-Step Latin Ballroom Stage Makeup Tutorial

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Of course, you know that this look is not confined to the perimeters of Latin Ballroom Dancing, right? I just entitled this post 'Step-By-Step Latin Ballroom Stage Makeup Tutorial' because, well, this was my look for my very first Latin Ballroom performance! 😀

I photographed the steps for this look on the second day of a 2-day show as the check-in time was later for the second day. First day was a mad rush! Had to check in early in the morning for stage runs and rehearsals.

One reason for making a detailed tutorial for this look was because it really isn't a complicated look. I completed my own makeup within 30 minutes (35 minutes, tops? I didn't time myself but it didn't feel very long) and if you were to follow through the steps below, you'd definitely have people complimenting your makeup next time. ^_^*

Another reason is that the only difference between this stage makeup look and my usual looks is the intensity of colors, and I have plenty of makeup tutorials here. So don't overthink! It's not that difficult. 🙂

The third reason is that I haven't done a step-by-step tutorial in too long a time. HAHAHA! The last one was this.

I'm gonna jump right straight into eye makeup because while most people have minimal problems applying foundation, they are stuck when it comes to eye makeup.

These were the items used on my face, I think I forgot to place some more items like concealers. It's actually not a lot........ it just LOOKS like a lot. Lol. You probably won't need most of what are shown here if you're a minimalist.

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Step 1: Prime your lids

Stage-Makeup-Tutorial-For-Asians_0Naked eyes

Stage-Makeup-Tutorial-For-Asians_1Eyes primed with UDPP

I primed my eyes with Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden, a matte beige. You can use any eye primer of your choice, as long as it does the job of making your eye makeup last longer and enhancing the colors.

Here are other recommendations:

(Click on the links to see where you can get them)

If you do not own an eye primer and do not have time to get one, your concealer or cream eyeshadow (Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow review here) can double up as an eye primer, provided it does not have too much slip or too little moisture to hold the eyeshadows up.

Step 2: Set the base shade

Shades used:

Not shown here is MAC Shroom.

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Voodoo and Shell Shock obviously didn't come in this form. I depotted them from the Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette. I'm so glad I did! Wouldn't wanna lug Vice 2 around. Too bulky and fragile!

Apply Shell Shock - highly pigmented metallic silver - all over the lids. Go higher than your natural fold, you will be blending it out later.

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Step 3: Apply darkest shade

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At times I go from lightest to darkest, other times I go from darkest to lightest, depending on the look I want to achieve. Over here, I went from lightest (Shell Shock) to darkest (Galaxy) immediately because Poison Plum (the purple) is a matte texture and I wanted to ensure that the metallics were well-blended first.

Honestly, I didn't think so much when I did my makeup. HAHAHA. Sub-conscious thoughts.

Step 4: Apply the pop of color

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I didn't like the idea of the team's initial proposed idea of black and white so I added a strong pop of color to break from the monotony of black-white. Black and white/silver/beige almost never looks good as a makeup combination on Asians. Black is way too stark and makes our eyes recede unnecessarily.

I'm sure the audience can't see the purple from far, but when I know I look good, I feel freaking awesome. 😀

Apply the purple or whatever strong pop of color of your choice to the outer part of the lid, but take care not to cover the darkest shade.

Do note that if you're interested in getting Sugarpill Poison Plum, this shade stains the lids. It is not entirely removable in one sitting but it's harmless, just kinda odd. Poison Plum, Dollipop, Love+ all stain. You can read my review on Sugarpill Eyeshadows here.

Step 5: Blend!

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I know blending is the hardest part and to some of my friends, 'blend' is but another English word.

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I cannot say more about blending but to get a proper blending brush. It will change your life forever and you'll probably despise your past ways of having lived without one. No kidding!

Some suggestions of good blending brushes:

I personally own all of these brushes (and more) and can vouch that they're pretty awesome.

Are you keeping up so far? 🙂

Here's a map of my eye makeup placement. I used Ocean Breeze to bridge the gap between Galaxy and the brow bone highlight (Shroom), and Voodoo to blend Galaxy and Poison Plum seamlessly together.

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Step 6: Throw on the eyeline & draw the brows

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This is my preferred eyeliner shape because it suits my eye shape the best. Take time to experiment and find a shape that works best for you. I know I cannot take those sad puppy eyes kind of shape and I cannot do without at least a small wing. Pictured here is a moderately heavy wing. I used Shu Uemura Calligraph:ink Liquid Eyeliner. Super love this eyeliner!!

Eyeliner suggestions:

For my brows, I used something much darker than my usual shade. Because I had my bangs up, I could afford to go a darker brown, almost black. I used a combination of my favorite Lioele Auto Eyebrow but this time in 03 Grey Black and Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil in 02 Seal Brown which I never got around to using much because it was wayyyyy too dark.

The Shu Uemura MUA had matched me to the wrong shade and at that time my hair was even lighter than now! TSK. Well, at least I finally got to put it to good use.

Eyebrow suggestions:

Step 7: Stick on false lashes

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After sticking on my falsies, I went on to color the lower lash line with an aqua blue to make the lid colors pop even more.

Another unnecessary step (LOL) I did was smudge the outer corner of the lower lash line with Voodoo first before drawing on the aqua blue. See the purple shadow peeking out under the aqua blue liner? 🙂

I also patted on glitter on the middle of my lid - Laneige Pure Radiant Shadow No. 7 Miss Twinkle. I love that this glitter comes in a mess-free, compact form and has minimal fallout.

Products mentioned:

 

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Haha! Sorry my lashes were still drying and I couldn't afford to wait around for it to dry completely!

Here's a recap for you! 🙂

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TEN POINTS FOR EFFORT PLEASE!! HAHAHA!

Importance Of Contouring For Stage Makeup

Because stage lights are merciless in removing all the shadows on our face, and it's even sadder if you have a flat face like me, face contouring plays a huge part in helping your face look more dimensional on stage. My cheekbones are so shy they don't appear at all, so all you see are my chubby cheeks. Lol.

See my before and after contouring photos here:

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On my face:

More pictures to show you how contouring makes my face look less flat.

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This look was taken at home with just a little bit of contouring. I contoured more upon reaching the backstage changing room to combat the bright lights.

I blotted my face and touched up on powder and blush an hour before showtime. Oh, and of course I wore a red lip - Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Old Hollywood and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Classic Red.

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If you read my previous post, you'd notice a Caucasian in our team. She has the perfect example of almond-shaped eyes which were SUPER EASY to draw on. No wonder it's so easy for Caucasians to apply eye makeup! The crease = fold = crease. It was my first time doing makeup on a Caucasian's eyes and I was done in like, what, 5 minutes? So little effort, super obvious results. #notfair

If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out this post: Asian VS Caucasian Eyes.

I hope this tutorial has been helpful to you in preparing for a stage performance. Actually it's no different from regular eye makeup placement, just intensified.

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Remember to bring cotton pads, cotton buds and makeup removers! They're so important and everyone was getting them from me.

 

6_With Wand_120Tips on makeup brushes: I want to end off with some thoughts on makeup brushes. As mentioned in my previous post, better to invest in brushes than products because good brushes can make bad products not too bad, but bad brushes can never help to achieve the desired look.

Good brushes don't have to come in the form of high-end species like Chanel or Tom Ford. Sigma, Real Techniques, EcoTools make pretty good brushes at more affordable prices.

 

Brushes used:

FACE BRUSHES

(Click on the links to see where you can get them)

EYE BRUSHES

LIP BRUSH

 

(Dear Viva, when I'm no longer in the team, you all can follow this tutorial okie? ^_^*)

 

About Bun Bun

Hello! My name is Juli and Bun Bun is my alter-ego. I blog to share my love for makeup, how to apply it, and what works or what doesn’t work, all from an Asian perspective.

My first makeup product was a shimmery light blue lipstick which I proudly wore all over my eyelids and lips. It cost $2.50, felt like $250, and made me feel like a million bucks.