Ask Trish - November 2002

Makeup for Minors

Many times I get asked the question, "Trish, what is the appropriate amount of makeup for my little girl Dancesport competitor?" Do judges even want to see makeup on young girls? And how do I hide the lipsticks at home until she's old enough to drive a car??" While I have answers to the first two questions…..I can't tell you where to hide the lipstick. Sorry. I was wearing it when I was three. Of course, I was wearing it on my chin, but that didn't stop me…..and now look at me, Mom! (Sorry, I digress…)

Anyway, here are some photos of Liza Tutella, of Montclair, NJ, who competed in the Pro/Am Junior Latin division with her teacher, Brent Mills, at the Heritage Classic in Asheville, North Carolina. As you can see, she is wearing makeup, but the overall effect is very simple and clean—very Audrey Hepburn-ish, I think! By the way, yes, judges do want to see some makeup on juniors, because it enhances their features. The general rule, though, is to not do too much so that all you see is the makeup.

That said, however, juniors can get away with a lot more of certain things than their older sisters…like rhinestone beauty marks, and lots of glitter. I'm not sure if you can see Liza's "beauty mark", but its under her right eye…

On Liza's eyes, I used lots of purple eyeshadow, to match her costume, and white glitter on the browbone to give her eyes extra sparkle. Then I filed in her eyebrows for a real Audrey Hepburn look. I kept the blush pink and light, but gave her bright fuschia lips so that her teeth would look even whiter when she flashed her super-watt smile!

I think she likes it!

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Photos of Trish competing

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Email any questions, comments, or photos to TrishDatesOBrien@aol.com.