When and if makeup is necessary.

[icestalker]

Since I'm asking parents and coaches (and judges) what they think of makeup on their skaters I assume this goes in Parents/Coaches.

Is makeup really necessary for competitions? I can see younger kids not wearing makeup at all, but what about low-level teenagers? I personally think that judges shouldn't care if they can see your eyes or not, they are mostly watching your legs and arms, right?

I once saw a kid about nine or ten years old. Her parent had whole bottles of glitter in her hair, so much hairspray that accidentally brushing against the girl's head left a small scratch on my arm, brightly colored eyeshadow, fake eyelashes, little sticky-back crystals next to her eyes, bright red/pink lipstick, and blush. To top it off, a high twisty bun with a sparkly tiara clipped to it. She looked like a Vegas showgirl. I don't know what her level was. What goes through other parent's and her coach's minds when they see her?

I must say that I'm concerned about being out of place. I like makeup, but I'm not good at putting it on, and neither is my mother. When I absolutely must have makeup on (formal dinner, formal portrait pictures) I brush on a bit of mascara and just barely line my lower lids with silver eyeshadow. And maybe a bit of clear lip gloss. I don't want to show up at my competition with no makeup and be told to put makeup on (though my coach doesn't seem to be the dolling-up-skaters-with-fake-crystals-on-their-faces type.) I also don't want the judges to think badly of my appearance or think I'm not serious or think I don't look put-together or grumble about not being able to see my face.

So what's the average coach's, judge's and parent's take on putting makeup on for competitions? Must-have or optional? Only for ice shows, or for everything, including tests?

[sk8lady]

The problem is that, from a distance, a skater not wearing makeup under rink lights will usually look excessively pale. I always suggest to the parents of skaters 10 and up that it's a good idea to wear a little blush and a little lipstick to counteract the effects of the lights.

[TreSk8sAZ]

Is makeup really necessary for competitions? I can see younger kids not wearing makeup at all, but what about low-level teenagers? I personally think that judges shouldn't care if they can see your eyes or not, they are mostly watching your legs and arms, right?


In competitions, judges not only look at arms and legs in elements, but there are also marks for how you present yourself - both artistically to the music, and in general. Facial expressions are one of these things that can help you as far as feeling the music and presentation - if you are washed out and pale looking, you may appear more nervous than you are, and facial expressions may not have the same effect.

The lights can make you look ghastly pale without a touch of makeup. If you put a bit of blush, lipstick and mascara, you will look more "put together" and may make a better overall impression. You certainly don't have to go overboard and have loads of glitter, sparkles, heavy makeup, etc. But some basic makeup is a necessity.

I would use the same makeup, though maybe toned down a notch, for testing as well. It shows you took the time to put yourself together and take it seriously, as well as looking better under the harsh lighting.

Its simply reality that how you look (as in, how you present yourself) has an impact on those around you.

[Tennisany1]

I agree a little make up is a good thing. If you're not sure how to apply it, go to a cosmetic counter at your local drugstore or department store. They are usually happy to show you what to do and then you can purchase the one or two things you need.

Rhinestones and glitter, IMHO, have no place on the face!

[RachelSk8er]

Go with at least a little make-up, as much as you hate it. A nice black liquid liner on the top and bottom and black mascara will make your eyes stand out, and go with a shadow shade that compliments your skin tone and/or matches your costume without looking hideous (i.e. no blue--browns/coppers, grays/silvers, purples work well).

I actually think having neat hair is actually more important than make-up. There is nothing that makes a skater look more sloppy and that is more distracting when someone is skating than messy hair all over the place. (You can never go wrong with gelling your hair back and if it's really long, put it in a bun at the back of your head so you don't have an annoying ponytail whipping all over when you spin and stick a nice sparkly clip next to the bun or a coordinating scrunchie around it. Or french braids.)

I think make-up and neat hair are important not just because it helps your overall look on the ice, but the act of doing your hair and make-up for a competition can be part of the routine that helps a skater get in the "zone". I know I start focusing on what I need to do out on the ice (visualizing, thinking about all the reminders my coach always gives) when I start doing the hair/makeup routine before I head to the rink. It's like putting your game face on. There have been times where I haven't really bothered with the hair/make-up routine and I quickly throw my hair back and maybe slap on a little make-up (smaller local competitions where I'm in a group with just 1 other skater or my last event in a larger competition lasting a few days and by that point I'm tired and sick of skating) and I find it's just like any other thing that can mess up your usual routine and it makes it harder to really get where I need to be mentally, and just really throws everything off.

[katz in boots]

I once saw a kid about nine or ten years old. Her parent had whole bottles of glitter in her hair, so much hairspray that accidentally brushing against the girl's head left a small scratch on my arm, brightly colored eyeshadow, fake eyelashes, little sticky-back crystals next to her eyes, bright red/pink lipstick, and blush. To top it off, a high twisty bun with a sparkly tiara clipped to it. She looked like a Vegas showgirl.

My question to you is this: she might have looked like a Vegas showgirl when seen up close, but what did she look like when she skating?

It's well known in theatrical circles: if it looks okay up close, it probably isn't even noticeable when you're on the stage. Everything has to be bigger in a performance; arm movements, facial expressions and yes, makeup.

I personally think that judges shouldn't care if they can see your eyes or not, they are mostly watching your legs and arms, right?

Of course they are 'mostly' watching legs & arms, judging the elements. But they are also judging presentation, interpretation of music.

Imagine you are the judge sitting rinkside, comparing faces you see in the distance: one with no definition (none - little makeup) & therefore little dramatic/artistic impact, with a face that has clearly defined eyes, lips & therefore facial expressions (moderate to OTT makeup). Even if the skaters were giving similar facials, I suspect the judges aren't seeing them as similar. I have some experience as a judge in competitions (the equivalent of LTS, I suspect), and it does make a difference even on our tiny rink.

In short, it isn't how it looks close up, you have to consider how it looks out there under bright lights, from a distance, when the person is moving fast.

Yes, it's optional it isn't a requirement, and a lot depends on the importance of the event. Personally though, I wouldn't be taking to the ice for a comp or show without some fairly heavy-duty makeup. Tests I would tone it down to 'street day' makeup.

And that's my 2c worth:P

[icestalker]

Does everybody really look so god-awful on ice? What about people with dark-brown-nearly-black eyes and dark lashes?

I agree a little make up is a good thing. If you're not sure how to apply it, go to a cosmetic counter at your local drugstore or department store. They are usually happy to show you what to do and then you can purchase the one or two things you need.

Rhinestones and glitter, IMHO, have no place on the face!

Rhinestones and glitter should only be on the dress! :lol:
Thing is- I only have two eyeshadow palettes, mascara, a few random lip glosses, and I cannot buy any more. Whatever I do, I have to use what I already have. I cannot afford anything right now. Maybe I'll watch some makeup tutorials on YouTube :giveup:
I have an eyeliner pencil, but I could never get it to work. Am I supposed to wet it or something? I'd like to get some of that liquid eyeliner (for free.).

I actually think having neat hair is actually more important than make-up. There is nothing that makes a skater look more sloppy and that is more distracting when someone is skating than messy hair all over the place...
..I think make-up and neat hair are important not just because it helps your overall look on the ice, but the act of doing your hair and make-up for a competition can be part of the routine that helps a skater get in the "zone".

No.. putting makeup on just makes me excessively nervous, wondering what people are thinking..! 8O Putting makeup on around my coach and rink peers is quite a bit different than putting it on around family who will tell me I look pretty anyway. I'm being too self-centered, but I never wear makeup to practice and didn't wear it for my last two Basic Skills competitions, so I know it'll surprise people.
I will have to gel my hair back, it badly frizzes. When my hair has to be completely flat, I use cupfuls of gel to make it completely flat. Looks not so good when you're two inches away but looks much better from a distance. The bun thing I'll have to look up how to do, but I'll figure it out.

My question to you is this: she might have looked like a Vegas showgirl when seen up close, but what did she look like when she skating?


She would look like a Vegas showgirl from any distance. Other people around her had OTT makeup that I knew would look fine on the ice, but she had about 10x the amount of makeup as anyone else. Garish eyeshadow color. I'm sure the only thing judges were seeing was sparkly orange spots in place of her eyes. And the tiara- really! I hate seeing fake eyelashes on little kids, too. The kind of fake eyelash that is so very obvious that it's fake because your eyelids can barely hold the monstrous thing up.

[Skittl1321]

Rhinestones and glitter should only be on the dress!

Glitter also belongs in hair. I wouldn't skate a competition or show without it.

As for makeup- just wear some mascara, light eyeshadow, a bit of blush, and some lipstick or gloss, if you don't want to go for "show" make up. But 99.9% of people really do need something to not look washed out.

If you don't know how to put on makeup (me! me! I never wear it in real life) go to a Clinique counter or something and they will teach you. You don't have to buy anything from them either, though I always think it's nice just to pick up the blush or something somewhat inexpensive to "pay" for the lesson, then just say "you'll think about" the rest.


And the tiara- really!
My thought on little girls like this is sometimes they skate so they CAN be princesses. They aren't in it to get to the Olympics, they are in it to play dress up!

[Sessy]

The problem is that, from a distance, a skater not wearing makeup under rink lights will usually look excessively pale. I always suggest to the parents of skaters 10 and up that it's a good idea to wear a little blush and a little lipstick to counteract the effects of the lights.

Yup.

I did dancing comps so I was used to wearing lots of makeup and at one point I put that same make up for a dancing competition. My then-boyfriend was horrified since I looked... well beyond cheap, I know how I look with that much make-up on close-up. However, after the comp he said from the tribunes the make-up looked very good.

It's not just the lighting, it's also the distance. The reason vegas show girls (and theatre actresses, and dancers, etc) wear so much make up is that the perception from 30+ feet is very different to the perception from 3 feet. Blush is a must, as are eyebrow/eye pencils/powders and some form of lip covering.

[sk8tmum]

Better than gel in some ways: use hair lacquer or use a combination: gell can be too wet looking, can leave comb tracks if you're not careful, plus, it's sticky. Do it wet, pull it back, spray hair lacquer over it; think of the stuff they sell for "guaranteed to hold your hair for two nights clubbing" or, the stuff that your grandmother used to hold things intact.

Makeup is standard but different from age to age; if you don't wear it, you don't fit in. Little girls - NO makeup IMHO - except for some blush, maybe some pretty sparkly stuff in hair, light lipgloss or that (think pretty young ladies/fairies, not party girls). Teenagers - yes, it's the norm, and you don't want to stand out for not wearing it, or look ill under the lights. Fortunately, because you're at a distance, no-one will notice if the eyeliner is a bit crooked :)

If you're using hair glitter, spray it on with your costume covered and your neck/shoulders so that it doesn't go everywhere. Be careful which one you use: there are some cheap ones that make you look like you've been sprayed with solid silver paint instead of looking glittery; some of them are also too big on the glitter particles and again it detracts instead of enhances.

[Sessy]

Does everybody really look so god-awful on ice? What about people with dark-brown-nearly-black eyes and dark lashes?

Thing is- I only have two eyeshadow palettes, mascara, a few random lip glosses, and I cannot buy any more.

I have an eyeliner pencil, but I could never get it to work. Am I supposed to wet it or something?

I'd like to get some of that liquid eyeliner (for free.).



You'd still need blush. Which will run you about $1-2 for the cheapest kind and will work fine.

Warm the pencil up in an inner pocket of your jeans for about half an hour. Body warmth will melt the fats it'll work better, don't wet.

Don't use eye make up that anyone else has used unless you want an eye infection.

Plus, liquid eyeliner is very hard to apply.

[Skittl1321]

If you really really can't buy more, depending on the colors the eye shadow can easily be used for blush. The lipstick can too, but that's a bit more difficult to master.

[sk8tmum]

Does everybody really look so god-awful on ice? What about people with dark-brown-nearly-black eyes and dark lashes?
The bun thing I'll have to look up how to do, but I'll figure it out..

Unless you've got eyelashes that look fake and overdone in real life, mascara is needed for ice effect.

As for buns: you need two things to make it easy (barirng those weird things they sell on infomercials). Hair PINS not bobby pins - they are different - bobby pins by the nature of the construction are not designed to hold buns- and, the hairnets the ones I use go by the tradename of BUN HEADS and are available in a range of colours to match hair. Other hair nets also work. I can do a bun with waist length heavy hair in under 2 minutes that will hold up under any stresses.

Basically: Pull the hair to a ponytail at the back of the head and secure with a strong hairelastic; not the top of your head, unless you want to look a character from Dr. Seuss with a weird knob on top, and not a flimsy elastic that will slide or snap. Twist the hair into a long smooth coil; not too tight, just smooth and sleek. Coil the hair around the ponytail base evenly. Tuck the end under; secure with a hairpin. Pull the hairnet over the bun, wrapping the loose ends under the bun itself. Secure all around the bun with hairpins. If you're a bit lumpy, a scrunchie will hide it ... I also have a collection of rhinestone studded hairpins that I will tuck around a bun for a pretty and elegant effect. It just takes practice ...

[Ellyn]

eye shadow can easily be used for blush. The lipstick can too, but that's a bit more difficult to master.

I have used lipstick for that purpose. :)

I'm an adult. I never wear makeup in everyday life, and hardly ever for special occasions. When I used to perform on stage I wore stage makeup, and when I compete in skating (bronze level) I use minimal makeup, no more than I would be comfortable wearing off ice.

So I would agree that, depending on your complexion and facial structure, at least a minimum amount of makeup is probably appropriate for you to wear when competing, or testing if you feel like it, especially freestyle or artistic programs.

If you're concerned about using too much or too little, you might want to try it out on a practice session before the event and ask your coach or a family member to observe you from the boards and let you know how it looks.

[Isk8NYC]

I have no problem with a skater using blush, lipstick, hair glitter, mascara, and a neutral eye shadow/concealer. (I usually use blush as eye shadow, too.) It gives the skater's face a bit of color and is appealing to the audience/judges who are some distance away. Watching a 'faceless' skater is distracting.

A pretty clip or some rhinestones in the hair are fine. If it's an artistic program and the hair "goes with" the program theme, that's okay too. I saw a girl skate a beach-themed artistic program wearing a really glitzy swimming cap. It was a hit and completely appropriate.

The amount of glitz on the dress should increase with the level of skating, imo. For lower-levels, glitter is fine with a few rhinestones. As the level of skating increases, the skater can handle the weight of the rhinestones and use the designs to build the viewer's interest.

False eyelashes and hairpieces are pretty common, but I think the skating should outshine both of those items. In most cases, they're not needed unless they tie into the overall "theme" of the program. Case in point: the overdone (but always cute) "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" in full bling with false eyelashes, a Marilyn Monroe wig and (of course) lots of costume jewelry. :P

[Purple Sparkly]

I refused to put make up on for a long time. My coaches told me I looked washed out, but I didn't care. Then I started putting a little on and my coach said I looked better. I saw photos of one competition where I was wearing a little, and still thought I looked like a ghost. I am naturally pale (my boyfriend tells me I'm transparent), so I now try to put much more on for competitions. I still probably look a little dead, but not quite as bad. If you think you'll look ridiculous and hope strangers don't think you're trashy when you go out in public afterwards without washing it off, you're probably on the right track.

As a coach, for low levels and little kids I wouldn't make a big deal about make up, but when they start getting more serious about it, it's time to put a face on for the ice.

[icestalker]

I'll put makeup on and do hair and put dress on for program run-through sometime in August, then, and see what my coach's reaction is.

How do parents tell their kids that eyeshadow is only for skating? I have a cousin who asks her mom every birthday if she can wear eyeshadow yet (she's 8), I know she would want to wear eyeshadow all the time if she wore it for a skating competition (she doesn't skate, but just saying.)


The amount of glitz on the dress should increase with the level of skating, imo. For lower-levels, glitter is fine with a few rhinestones. As the level of skating increases, the skater can handle the weight of the rhinestones and use the designs to build the viewer's interest.

'..skater can handle the weight of the rhinestones..'

:lol::lol::lol:

So true! A low level skater could never possibly support so many rhinestones! They'd keel over!

"How to get fit for skating: Wear an elite's rhinestone-encrusted dress in place of weight vest."

[Skittl1321]

How do parents tell their kids that eyeshadow is only for skating?

"Make up is only for skating competitions/shows."

Seems pretty easy to me. I know I wore make up in dance recitals when I was as young as 6. (Stage lights are worse than ice arenas.) My parents absolutely wouldn't allow it outside of that.

[Tennisany1]

...How do parents tell their kids that eyeshadow is only for skating? I have a cousin who asks her mom every birthday if she can wear eyeshadow yet (she's 8), I know she would want to wear eyeshadow all the time if she wore it for a skating competition (she doesn't skate, but just saying.)..."

I see the costume, hair, and make up as a package deal. It is all part of the presentation side of skating. Skating is a performance sport and how you look (not how pretty, cute etc., but how your package relates to the program) makes a difference. My dd has been wearing make up for competition since she was 6 years old. She also wears it for ballet performances (a lot more then!) She doesn't wear it any other time except perhaps when she is playing around with putting it on herself at home, but it never goes out the door. She is in grade 4 and will probably not wear make up for quite a while in her regular life because it really has no mystic left at all.

She does not look like a Vegas show girl when she skates, and up close and out of context, ie. at a restaurant after the competition, it doesn't look like everyday make up. It looks like performance make up. Just like tights with out holes, the clean warm up jacket and matching gloves, polished skates, and new skate laces, it is all part of the preparation. She has never known a competition to be any different. In fact, now that she is doing more of the getting ready herself, I notice that she seems to find comfort in the routine of getting ready for competition.

I will admit that it drives me nuts when I watch Nationals and I see kids, usually girls, who have obviously invested thousands and thousands of dollars and hours to get where they are and they arrive with holey tights and hair in a scrappy ponytail. For $50.00 a season you can have tights, a bun, and make up. The bun stuff and make up will last for a couple of seasons. Two new pairs of competition tights per year and you are good to go.

Sorry, I'll stop ranting now (none of this is related to the original poster lol) it just seems very strange to put in so much effort and money and present oneself as not really caring.

[sk8tmum]

^^^^^ I validate and salute your rant. You are absolutely on the money.

My 8 year old has a bag of "performance makeup". It comes out for dance performances. It is not used at any other time. We have very direct discussions about "stage" vs. "real life" with our girls. With our eldest, now 16, the same rules; in our family, absolutely no makeup of any sort until age 13, no piereced ears until the same age, and we don't even allow coloured nailpolish until 12; so, we're very strict, but, the eyeliner, glitter eyeliner over it, mascara, blush and lipgloss with eyeshadow ... it's part of competing or showcasing. We also had a professional teach our eldest how to put on "day" makeup, and I have a background that lends itself well to putting on "stage" makeup (plus, an addiction to a line of cosmetics, Lise Watier, they have these amazing eyeliners that they call "confetti" - they are glittery, stay on beautifully, are wonderful colours, and are ultra-safe for sensitive skin)

In terms of the hair: my pet hatred: those metal or plastic clips on the top of the head holding back bangs and then a scraggy ponytail with a cheap hair elastic. It doesn't take much to neatly fasten bangs back (or grow them out!) and to at least put a ribbon or a nice hair tie on ... the cost would be minimal ... or at least ... BRUSH IT!!!!!

[sk8tmum]

She does not look like a Vegas show girl when she skates, and up close and out of context, ie. at a restaurant after the competition, it doesn't look like everyday make up. It looks like performance make up. .

Way off topic ... but ... you brought back a memory ... my littlest is very petite, very fair skinned, and has unusually shaped eyes - they are very tilted, plus she has quite high cheekbones, and long long blonde hair (past her butt). When we put her performance makeup on, she looks quite - unique. A little boy came up to her after a performance and very carefully circled her ... peering at her, creeping up and back ... then ran back to his mum, excitedly telling her that there was "a fairy in the restaurant".

[kssk8fan]

My daughter is 11 and "hates" the make-up thing!!! Only because she's been wearing performance make-up for 6 years. She has dance recitals and ice shows which require a TON of make-up and then competitions which require a much more scaled down form. The novelty has truely worn off and I don't think I'll have to worry about her begging me to wear make-up for a long long time. She does ask to wear mascara for formal school events (concerts and such) but that's it.

As for what kind of makeup.....very natural colored eyeshadows and blush depending on the color of her dress. (please, no pink blush if the dress is from the red hues). Also, powder, eyeliner and lipstick. She curls her own lashes and it really makes the eyes pop!

For the hair - if it's a classical piece we always do a bun with a hairnet and if it's a fun/jazzier piece of music we sometimes do a "messy" bun or a curled pony tail. The hair just needs to look "finished" in my opinion. Pony tails are just fine as long as the whispy's around the face are sprayed back the pony tail is either curled or straightened....NOT raggedy looking!

Do you NEED all of this to skate? No, absolutely not. However, there is truth to the more formal one looks, the better one performs!

[Tennisany1]

...For the hair - if it's a classical piece we always do a bun with a hairnet and if it's a fun/jazzier piece of music we sometimes do a "messy" bun or a curled pony tail. The hair just needs to look "finished" in my opinion. Pony tails are just fine as long as the whispy's around the face are sprayed back the pony tail is either curled or straightened....NOT raggedy looking!

Do you NEED all of this to skate? No, absolutely not. However, there is truth to the more formal one looks, the better one performs!

I should clarify to say that I don't dislike ponytails. I just think that for most senior ladies, competing at Nationals, a bun for long hair is probably more appropriate. However, it the character of the program is better suited to a ponytail, or the child is young and the hair not too long, then by all means... just make sure, as mentioned above, it is neat and tidy and "finished."

We have a rule about ponytails. As long as the end of the ponytail cannot be pulled around to touch an eye it is okay. As soon as it can touch an eye the hair goes in a bun - even for practice.

[Ellyn]

"Make up is only for skating competitions/shows."

Seems pretty easy to me. I know I wore make up in dance recitals when I was as young as 6. (Stage lights are worse than ice arenas.) My parents absolutely wouldn't allow it outside of that.

Heh, I was babysitting for my school-age (nonskating) niece and nephew one afternoon. Niece was playing with eyeshadow and blush. She applied it very neatly and subtly, so I said it looked good and she could even go out like that. She knew she wasn't allowed and said she would wash it off before she went out. I guess I'm just so used to seeing girls younger than her with much heavier makeup at skating competitions that it looked like no big deal to me.

[kayskate]

Inexpensive make up:
Go to the dollar store. They always have a display. You can probably get everything you need for a few bucks.

Kay

[RachelSk8er]

How do parents tell their kids that eyeshadow is only for skating? I have a cousin who asks her mom every birthday if she can wear eyeshadow yet (she's 8), I know she would want to wear eyeshadow all the time if she wore it for a skating competition (she doesn't skate, but just saying.)


That's not abnormal, how many of us got into mom's make-up when we were little girls? Most moms have to explain to little girls that they can't wear make-up until they're older...if you have a kid who dances, skates, is involved in theatre, etc, it's just a matter of also pointing out the difference of when it is acceptable and when it's not.

The make-up they always made us wear for dance recitals and ice shows when I was a kid was always so god awful hideous (it was always bright blue eyeshadow, really dark blush, and some awful color of reddish lipstick and we all had to stand in line and wait for the designated mom to put it on us, as if our own mothers were incapable of making us look hideous on their own) that I'd never want to have any of that on in public anyway.

[Query]

Never!

A lady's face is much more beautiful than paint.

[isakswings]

I haven't read the other responses, so forgive me if I repeat what anyone else has said What you described, seems over the top, in my opinion. However, in my opinion, it is necessary to have make up on for a competition. My daughter only wears make up for competitions and shows. She just turned 12. She wears quite a bit but is not over done. IE: she doesn't look like she belongs at a pageant.

Yes, judges will be judging your skating and to your make up, however they need to be able ot see your smiling face too! My daughter wears "stage make-up". She wears just enough to make her eyes pop and give her more color. She wears foundation(a color only slightly darker then her skin tone), eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush and lip stick. We usually do use some glitter, but more because she thinks it is fun to wear. :) It is hard to see from the ice, so honestly it is more for fun. :) Her coach has actually done her make-up for her last couple comps... mostly because I am not great at comp make up! It looks very tasteful and she looks very nice.

I don't think you have to wear a lot of make up, but I do think you should try to put some on to brighten you up a bit. Do you have a friend who is good at applying make up? What about a friend's mom? OR maybe ask your coach what she expects? Good luck!

[isakswings]

You'd still need blush. Which will run you about $1-2 for the cheapest kind and will work fine.

Warm the pencil up in an inner pocket of your jeans for about half an hour. Body warmth will melt the fats it'll work better, don't wet.

Don't use eye make up that anyone else has used unless you want an eye infection.

Plus, liquid eyeliner is very hard to apply.

Yup. Check The Dollar Tree or any other dollar store for inexpensive make up. I've found Maybeline and Covergirl there before. :) I've got some fantastic lip gloss/lip stick at The Dollar Tree. :)

[isakswings]

How do parents tell their kids that eyeshadow is only for skating? I have a cousin who asks her mom every birthday if she can wear eyeshadow yet (she's 8), I know she would want to wear eyeshadow all the time if she wore it for a skating competition (she doesn't skate, but just saying.)





My daughter only wears make up for competitions. She just turned 12 and it really is simple... "Make up is only for competitions". She wears lip gloss other times, but I don't count that as make up. :)

That said, she is allowed to play with make up. She loves to do that with her friends. I don't have an issue with that because they are home when they are experimenting. She is not allowed to go out in public with make up on, unless it is before or after a competition. She actually put her own make up on for the ice show last month and she did a great job! Ironically, allowing her to play with make up and wear it for competitions, has allowed her to learn the proper way to apply make up. She knows the difference between "stage" make up and every day make up. :)

[Clarice]

Ironically, allowing her to play with make up and wear it for competitions, has allowed her to learn the proper way to apply make up. She knows the difference between "stage" make up and every day make up. :)

I agree. Through experimenting with makeup for skating shows and competitions over the years, my daughter learned how to do makeup so that by the time she was old enough to wear it daily, she knew how to apply it tastefully. She never went through that "garish" stage so many young girls do. She was always proud of being able to apply makeup so that she didn't look "made up", just enhanced.

[isakswings]

My daughter on the ice today. She has make up on(most of it she put on by herself. :) ) Anyway, her face is easily seen and she is not over done. Not her best spiral pic, but I wanted to give you an example of how make up can be done tastefully!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/isaks_wings/NY1Q1409.jpg

[Sessy]

My daughter on the ice today. She has make up on(most of it she put on by herself. :) ) Anyway, her face is easily seen and she is not over done. Not her best spiral pic, but I wanted to give you an example of how make up can be done tastefully!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/isaks_wings/NY1Q1409.jpg

I'd still vote for more make-up on the eyebrows even. ATM it's like she has none.

Yup. Check The Dollar Tree or any other dollar store for inexpensive make up. I've found Maybeline and Covergirl there before. :) I've got some fantastic lip gloss/lip stick at The Dollar Tree. :)

That's a very good point too. I was actually referring to cheap brands - I'm allergic to something in some makeup, shampoos, conditioners etc - no idea what (except that it's never in shower gel), - and it seems that the cheap brands of powders and blushes and eye shadow that they call egyptian earth or something never gives me any problems at all (actually I'm not sure it's even a brand so much as an ingredients reference). Anyway I suspect it's less stuffed with chemical goo cuz the ingredients list is significantly shorter than with more expensive make-up too. And it stays on just as well - if it doesn't, there's always giving it a mild layer of hair polish to help stick.

[isakswings]

I'd still vote for more make-up on the eyebrows even. ATM it's like she has none.





Yup! She could use more there. She is so fair that we will do that at times to enhance her more. Actually, to be honest, she doesn't have eyeliner on in the picture. I am not good at applying it on other people and she is not good at applying it just yet either, so I usually have her coach help here. We did not get to that so she skated like that. :) Hopefully today, we'll get it on!

She has foundation, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, mascara and reddish lipstick on. Hopefully the OP can see even with what sounds like a lot of make up, her eyes could still use some work. :) Oh and she has glitter in her hair and glitter eyeshadow on. I can see the eye make up more in the podium pics then I can in this pic. I can also see it in some of her other pics...

[AshBugg44]

If you think that little girls make-up was bad, you should see ballroom dancers!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs101.snc4/35416_136562873027981_121832717834330_388973_71714 86_n.jpg

[RachelSk8er]

^^

But how does that look from far away? It may not be as bad as it seems in this close-up pic.

Synchro skaters tend to wear a lot more make-up than singles skaters, closer to what this girl is wearing. Fake eyelashes and big earrings are the norm, and teams do interesting things with their eyeliners, or they wear eyeshadows that are applied wet and therefore have a darker, more vibrant appearance (MAC is a pretty popular brand). I've done rhinestones on the corners of the eyes for synchro, too, and sometimes teams do more extreme things depending on what their program is. But the judges at synchro competitions aren't in the hockey box, they are up and farther back in the stands higher up, and facial expressions are something that is normally choreographed into the program. If the judges can't see the skater's eyes from where they sit, they aren't going to see the facial expression they are trying to convey. Or the skaters will just look kind of flat/lifeless. (That being said, most young teams, as in juvenile and below, stick to less make-up because the skaters are younger and it's really not necessary, they're cute just as they are.)

[AshBugg44]

^^

But how does that look from far away? It may not be as bad as it seems in this close-up pic.

Synchro skaters tend to wear a lot more make-up than singles skaters, closer to what this girl is wearing. Fake eyelashes and big earrings are the norm, and teams do interesting things with their eyeliners, or they wear eyeshadows that are applied wet and therefore have a darker, more vibrant appearance (MAC is a pretty popular brand). I've done rhinestones on the corners of the eyes for synchro, too, and sometimes teams do more extreme things depending on what their program is. But the judges at synchro competitions aren't in the hockey box, they are up and farther back in the stands higher up, and facial expressions are something that is normally choreographed into the program. If the judges can't see the skater's eyes from where they sit, they aren't going to see the facial expression they are trying to convey. Or the skaters will just look kind of flat/lifeless. (That being said, most young teams, as in juvenile and below, stick to less make-up because the skaters are younger and it's really not necessary, they're cute just as they are.)

Totally my point. It doesn't look at all bad on the dance floor. Same with skating. Sometimes the make-up may look intense close up, but when they're on the ice it looks normal.

[Tennisany1]

Totally my point. It doesn't look at all bad on the dance floor. Same with skating. Sometimes the make-up may look intense close up, but when they're on the ice it looks normal.

This dancer is also not a little girl. She looks at least 15 years old. By that age many girls are wearing make up to school. ITA this might look a bit odd walking down the street (although I've seen make up like this for every day) it is appropriate for what she is doing.

[katz in boots]

I'm just freaking out over the number of stones on the dress in that picture 8O !!! Someone spent a lot of time & doing all that.

[AshBugg44]

I'm just freaking out over the number of stones on the dress in that picture 8O !!! Someone spent a lot of time & doing all that.

Oh yes, you haven't seen glitzy dresses until you've been to a ballroom comp. Of course, they're quite a bit more spendy than skating dresses. ;)

[Tennisany1]

Oh yes, you haven't seen glitzy dresses until you've been to a ballroom comp. Of course, they're quite a bit more spendy than skating dresses. ;)

Remember to that the dresses have a lot more fabric to cover as they are usually ankle length. The dresses, if you don't make them yourself, are very very expensive!

[katz in boots]

And just how do you stick rhinestones to the corners of your eyes so they don't fall off? We don't go that full out here, but then our rink is tiny so there isn't the same need to go OTT.

[RachelSk8er]

And just how do you stick rhinestones to the corners of your eyes so they don't fall off? We don't go that full out here, but then our rink is tiny so there isn't the same need to go OTT.

You use the same glue that you use for fake eyelashes, at least that's what I've always done and it's worked, you really have to peel them off when you want to remove them even after they've been on all day. The fake eyelash glue that you buy at Sally that comes in a white tube works wonders.

And depending on where you place them, you don't want to use stones that are too big, otherwise they will fall off more easily (either get knocked off or just facial movement will loosen them if they are placed in the right spot). We used to buy big packs of small stones (3 or 4 mm maybe?) from JoAnn or Michaels when we used them for synchro, no sense in wasting the $$ on expensive stones that you would use on your dresses.

[icestalker]

Thanks for the pic and explanation, isakswings!

That ballroom dancer is scary 8O

Never!

A lady's face is much more beautiful than paint.

Depends who the lady is.. my face only looks pretty if I straighten my hair and have it down :evil: