COSTUMES, HAIR, & MAKEUP
Ensuring every dancer looks polished and performance-ready is key to a successful recital! Below are important details on costumes, shoes, tights, hair, and makeup to help you prepare.
👚 Costume Guidelines & Fit Checks
Costumes have been tried on in class and sent home after a final check for sizing by our staff and costume manager. Dance costumes should fit snugly.
Try on costumes at home immediately with the correct tights and undergarments to check for any additional adjustments needed. If alterations are required (such as strap adjustments), we recommend Stacy’s Alterations on Virginia Beach Blvd. DO NOT WEAR costumes before the recital except for Class Photo Week and Dress Rehearsal.
📌 Important: Music in Motion is not responsible for lost or damaged costumes once they leave the studio. Costume order dates are often months in advance and if a costume is lost or damaged we may not be able to replace it.
Tights, Shoes & Undergarments
To ensure uniformity on stage, all dancers must wear the correct tights and shoes.
Ballet (All Levels, Including Pre-Ballet & Creative Movement)
Shoes: Canvas skin-tone ballet shoes
Tights: Skin-tone stirrup tights (provided with costume)
Hair: Ballet bun with hairnet, spray, and pins
Tap (All Levels, Including Tumble/Ballet/Tap)
Shoes: Tan buckle or Mary-Jane style tap shoes (no bows)
INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED TAP: Black tap shoes
Tights: Skin-tone stirrup tights (provided)
Hair: High Ponytail with all wispies slicked back and hairsprayed
Jazz & Musical Theater (All Levels)
Shoes: Skin-tone slip-on leather jazz booties (no laces)
Tights: Skin-tone stirrup tights (provided)
Hair: High Ponytail with all wispies slicked back and hairsprayed
Lyrical & Contemporary (All Levels)
Shoes: Barefoot
Tights: Skin-tone stirrup tights (provided)
Hair: High Ponytail with all wispies slicked back and hairsprayed
Acro (All Levels)
Shoes: Barefoot
Tights: Skin-tone stirrup tights (provided)
Hair: High Ponytail with all wispies slicked back and hairsprayed
Hip-Hop (All Levels)
Shoes: Hip-Hop 1: Sparkle Pop black tennis shoes
Junior, Teen, Senior Hip-Hop: Black lace-up tennis shoes
Tights: Skin-tone stirrup tights (provided)
Hair: Any hairstyle that is secured away from the face
Boys’ Hip-Hop Classes
Undergarments: Black boxers or briefs
Optional: Black tank top for layering
Shoes: Black tennis shoes
Need extra tights, shoes, or undergarments? Order through Music in Motion’s Dress Code Shop
or email [email protected]
.
💄 Hair & Makeup Guidelines
All dancers should arrive with hair and makeup done before checking in.
📌 Hair Rules for ALL Dancers
✔️Use gel on wet hair before styling for a slick, clean look.
✔️ Secure hair with a natural-colored hair tie (no bright colors).
✔️ Pin all flyaways with bobby pins matching hair color.
✔️ Use hairspray to lock everything in place.
💇 Hairstyles by Class
Ballet Classes: Clean ballet bun (hairnet required).
All Other Classes: Slick, mid-height ponytail (unless otherwise specified in costume notes).
Hairpieces:
Attach bows and cuffs to the top or front of buns/ponytails.
Clips & appliques go on the right side of the head. Right is right!
💄 Makeup Recommendations
Stage lighting washes out facial features—makeup helps dancers look polished!
Pre-School & Kinderdance Level
Pink blush, natural eyeshadow, mascara (if they’ll tolerate it!), pink lipstick.
Level 1 & 2 Dancers:
Foundation, blush, brown or gray eyeshadow, mascara, dark pink or berry lipstick.
Level 3 & Up:
Foundation, blush, brown or gray eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, and dark pink/red lipstick. False eyelashes and highlighter/contour recommended.
📌 Need help with hair & makeup?
We plan to offer hair and make-up stations at the dance studio for a small fee prior to the Sunday showcase. We will have volunteer stylists backstage for quick touch-ups.
❌ What NOT to Wear
🚫 No underwear under tights (tights function as undergarments).
🚫 No nail polish or jewelry (earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings).
🚫 No visible bra straps under costumes (if a bra is needed, it must have clear or skin-tone straps).
📩 Questions?
If you need guidance on costumes, hair, or makeup, email us at
.
We can’t wait to see our dancers shine on stage! ✨
GETTING READY GUIDELINES
HAIR GUIDELINES:
For a slick, professional hair look – brush GEL through WET hair prior to pulling hair back. Reference the lookbook for class hair!
Ballet Bun Tutorial:
BOYS HAIR GUIDELINES:
For a slick, professional hair look – brush GEL through WET hair prior to brushing or combing. Style ONE is a great way to style for the show!
MAKEUP GUIDELINES:
Makeup for little ones (under 7) is OPTIONAL! We recommend blush and some light mascara if they let you!
Makeup for older students:
BOYS MAKEUP GUIDELINES:
Makeup for the boys classes is completely optional.
We recommend using a little bronzer to contour if you don't want to do a full face of makeup!
