Make Up Close Up

Make Up for Little Ones

https://youtu.be/bLjETYEwKJ0

MAKING UP IS FUN TO DO

It's that time of year again when we dive into our treasure trove of make up and get our little darlings looking gorgeous for the stage! Why do we need to put make up on the kids? Well, though your little dancer may look like a mini drag queen off stage, I can assure you that on stage, they will just look like their sweet little self (with just a touch more pizzazz.) The lighting used can wipe them out and make it very hard for them to dazzle us with their brightest smiles so they need a little help to highlight their features PLUS IT'S FUN! Little girls love make up!

Mums, I feel your pain....it's hard to get animated, excited little faces still long enough to weave your magic wand. And then there is the liquid eye liner....oh and the tears, you forget how easily and often little faces can crumple into tears until you spy your pain stakingly applied handi work sliding down their faces. BUT know this, it does get easier and quicker. A little bit of practise before the big day and you are good to go. Remember, children, like animals smell fear! Go into the application with confidence and assertiveness. You are a make up magician.

Big Love & Sparkles,
Miss Rikki xxx

1. Moisturise that morning – (Plus cleanse and exfoliate for teens​.) ​Use anything except sunscreen, as this makes their face go white under flash/bright light.​ ​You want ​the face as s​mooth as a babies bottom! Dry skin will never give you a flawless finish as the makeup will stick to spots you don’t want it to, and won’t stick to the spots you want it to! Basically you need to prepare the “canvas.” You don’t just paint a wall without any prep work – the face is the same.
   
   
2. Primer – This stops the skin absorbing the makeup, therefore making it last. It provides a really smooth surface for a flawless finish. Avoid primers that have shimmer as they can leave you looking like a mirror ball.
   
   
3. Foundation – Good quality foundation has a high pigment (colour) – so more colour/bang for your buck – ie. you don’t need to use much of it, especially if the face has been prepared properly as in step 1 & 2​, so it will last longer and won’t look thick. ​Apply with a foundation brush for a flawless finish, to get in every crevice, and to blend it into the hairline, ears, ​and down the n​eck.​ Do not use one with SPF (Those who bought foundation through me don’t panic! The spf in it won’t go white as it’s designed not to.)
   
   
4. Setting Powder – Dust this over with the big brush for a long-lasting flawless finish. Use the lid to circle the brush in the powder and tap the excess off before you apply. Concentrate on the T-zone as this is where most oil and shine comes through. Take it all the way down to the chest.
   
   
5. Eyebrows – SO IMPORTANT!!! They create the frame for your face and allow the audience to see emotion. If we can’t see them you look expressionless or permanently shocked or sick. Comb first with the end of the pencil, then shade the whole brow filling in any gaps and creating an arch and a nice length. ​Basically draw on a dream set of brows! Don’t just draw over what they’ve already got. ​Comb through after as well. The colour should be 1 or 2 shades darker than your hair. *See diagrams
   
   
6. Eye base – a MUST! This not only acts as a concealer for the eyelid, but makes the eye shadows last​ and deepens the colour​!!!! I never, ever do a makeup without it. It provides thebest canvas to work on, holds everything in place so that it won’t sweat off with the dancing, or melt off ​ (as​ eyelid​s are oily.)
   
   7. Eye shadow – At least 2 colours. I prefer to start with the darker colour, then use the lighter colour to blend and smooth. Use a small brush and work from the outside corner of the eyelid and follow the brow bone around. How far towards the nose you shade depends on how far apart your eyes are. Close set eyes benefit from keeping the shadows to the outsides, and the opposite for eyes set wide apart. Then use the light colour and start from the inside corner and sweep out, basically covering every other part of the lid up to the eyebrow. Make sure the very centre is this colour.
      
      
   8. Eyeliner – Black pencil ​or liquid ​- Make sure it isn’t too blunt. Liquid or gel with a brush is great if you’re confident enough. ​Start about 1/3 away from the inside corner of the eye, f​ollow the line of the eye and out towards the tip of the eyebrow. Practise makes perfect! Then use a little eye liner on the bottom lash line, just on the outer corner, then smudge it towards the centre with a cotton bud.
      
      
   9. Mascara – Black. Always.
      
      
   10. Lashes – Keep it simple! No sparkles, not too thick or too long. Remember to enhance your features, not hide them. I use “Lash Grip” glue from Priceline​, it’s cheap and way better than the glue in the lashes pack. ​Make sure you trim the​ false lashes ​from the outside end to fit the eye. I’ve never not cut some down. Apply with tweezers and cotton buds. Don’t use too much glue!
       
       
   11. Under eyes – ​Use a c​oncealer ​that is lighter than their foundation, and either dab it with your fingertips, or​ sweep under the eyes with​ the foundation brush​ a​nd ​set ​it a​gain with a little setting powder.
       
       
   12. Blush – UNDER the cheek bones to imitate a shadow​,​ and therefore the cheek bone stands out, giving the face structure from the stage. Apply in stages as it’s too hard to remove if you put too much on the brush! Work it up into the hair, upwards along the hair line, and​ dab into the temple.​ If you have a highlighter (or just the white eye shadow) run this along the cheek bones to bring them out.
       
       
   13. Lip Liner – a MUST! Not only does it deepen the colour, prevent the lipstick feathering and bleeding, it makes the lipstick stay on so much longer! It also defines​ the lips,​ creates shape, either enhancing or correcting the lip line....which otherwise we can’t see from the stage. See pic for working out best way to start.
       
       
   14. Lipstick – Using a brush helps to keep the lips a really nice shape because you can target exactly where you want the product to go. Then they can use it straight on their lips to layer it on carefully. Use a tissue to close the mouth on to get excess off and therefore less likely to end up on their costume, and they can use a clean finger to put in their mouth, close their mouth, then pull their finger out​ (wipe off what lipstick is left on the finger) ​......graphic I know, but this stops it from getting on their teeth! 
       
       
       
       
       

CAMILLE NUTTALL PHOTO SHOOT

"Chase the light, 

whatever and wherever 

it may be 

for you.

Chase it." 

             - Tylor Knott Gregson 

We went into the nether woods of our family farm "Lucernevale" to capture some imagery to commemorate our twentieth year of Stepping Out Dance Factory.  We certainly chased the light that day in search for the perfect place for our dancers to frolic ( albeit in a paddock of burs. It's been a long, dry season.) Still, it was so incredibly nice for my two worlds to collide that day.  Today is my husband's birthday and it was at his urging that I started Stepping Out Dance Factory all those moons ago, pregnant with my first child.  Magic happens.........as these images attest. Here is but a few of the beautiful images captured by Camille Nuttall, a Sydney based kid's fashion, advertising and portraiture photographer .  We will be using them and more for marketing moving forward into our third decade of making magic. 

STAGE REHEARSALS

TICKETING INFORMATION & STAGE REHEARSALS- SUNDAY 18^th November

The countdown continues.   Tickets go on sale from Monday, November 5^th.  They are available in person from the Box Office at DRTCC.  Box Office opens at 9.30am. They can also be purchased online www.drtcc.com.au . We cannot stress enough the importance of getting in early to avoid disappointment.  In previous years shows have sold out very quickly.  We now offer a third show and also have alleviated the amount of children in each show by having our gorgeous little Angelina’s perform in only one show.  We know they will put their best foot forward. It is therefore imperative that Angelina parents purchase their tickets on the first day of ticket sales.

Performance Shows for Angelina’s are as follows;

Saturday, 8th December  2pm  - Wednesday & Friday 9.45am classes

Sunday, 9th Dec 11am- Tuesday & Thursday 9.45am classes

Sunday, 9th Dec 5pm – All Saturday Angelina classes

A reminder that tickets are charged at $35 for Adults and $30 for concession.  If your child would like to watch the show before or after their performance, they will need to have a ticket purchased for them. 

Costumes for Angelina students have been measured in class. An order form for costuming ( for Angelina, Classical Ballet, Performance & Senior Students) plus costume needs ( tights, underwear, etc) and SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE TSHIRT has been emailed to all families.  Please inbox Stepping Out Facebook page or email rikki@steppingoutdance.com.au if you did not receive this important email.

It’s time to get really excited because after all of our hard work in class we are now about to step on to stage for our very first stage rehearsal.  Our stage rehearsals will be held on Sunday, 18th November at Dubbo Regional Theatre, Darling St.  The students are asked to please enter through the backstage entrance at Carrington Ave and mark your child’s name off the roll.  This is a closed rehearsal and only performers will be allowed entry beyond stage doors and area.

Stagecraft Rehearsals prepare the students for the correct manner to enter and exit the stage, the stage dimensions and other important features of Performance.  They are an important and exciting lead up to Dress Rehearsals and our Concert and are sure to combat all the nerves and ensure the performers are feeling prepared, confident and most importantly, very excited about their performance. Students should come dressed in dancewear and the entire faculty will be present on the day to keep a watchful eye over our stars.  Please collect your child from the backstage entrance at the close of their rehearsal. 

Times are as follows;

9.00- 10am Saturday 9.30am Angelina class, Tuesday 9.45am Angelina Class, Wednesday 9.45am Angelina Class

10- 11.00am- Thursday 9.45 am Angelina class, Friday 9.45am Angelina class, Saturday 10.15am Angelina Class, Grade 2 Ballet Monday 4pm

11am- 11.30am Grade 2 Ballet Monday 4pm Class ( continued)

11.30am- 12.30pm Primary Ballet ( both Monday & Thursday classes) , Grade 3,4 & 5 Ballet, Senior Pointe

12.30-1.30pm Intermediate Contemporary, Senior Contemporary, Senior Ballet Neoclassical

1.30- 2.30pm Junior Contemporary, Little Stars Jazz 4.30 Monday, Junior Tap

2.30- 3.30pm 8 years Jazz, Intermediate Tap, Junior Jazz Thursday

3.30-4.30pm 10 years Jazz, 12 years Jazz, 14 years Jazz,

4.30- 5.30pm Junior Hip Hop, Intermediate Hip Hop, Senior Hip Hop

5.30- 6.30pm Junior Musical Theatre, Senior Musical Theatre, Senior Tap

6.30- 7.30pm ALL PERFORMANCE KIDS

We will also be holding special rehearsals Saturday, 17^th November for the following groups;

·      11am- 12 noon JET SET Junior Performance

·      12- 1.30pm JUNIOR MUSICAL THEATRE

·      1.30- 2.30pm 10 yrs/ 12 yrs PERFORMANCE- Hairspray

A copy of this note will be posted on our blog www.steppingoutdanceblogspot.com and a link will be on our Facebook page. A Hair & Make Up Note will be sent home shortly (all info will be available on the blog with a link from Facebook.)

In the coming weeks, we will also be sending home notes regarding our Dress Rehearsal on Thursday 6^th Dec and Friday 7^th Dec( we have decided to run our rehearsal over two days to ensure it runs more smoothly.  Angelina students will all be on Thursday 6th December, 3.30- 4.30pm. First half performers will then run from 5-8pm. Second half performers will rehearse on Friday 7th Dec.  As soon as order of appearance is finalized, students will be notified and we now invite expressions of interest from anyone who may be interested in volunteering assistance in the countdown and on the Concert and rehearsal days. Notes regarding Costume Balances and the organization of both Dress Rehearsal and Concert Day will be sent home closer to each event.

We are also asking if anyone would like to sponsor a page in our program or advertising space.  Please direct all enquiries to rikki@steppingoutdance.com.au.

Our 2018 Presentation will be at the close of our 5pm show for all students other than our Angelina’s .  Winkipop Media will be taking photos of all three shows.  Parents will receive a password to view and order photos online.

We understand it’s a lot of information and we thank all our studio families once again for the support and enthusiasm you are so kindly extending to us.

We hope you will enjoy the show as much as we have enjoyed producing it.  It truly is a magical and memorable time for our performers and we feel very blessed that you have chosen us to contribute to your children’s precious childhood memories.

Happy Dancing,

Rikki & the Team at Stepping Out Dance Factory