To think three year olds don't wear red lipstick, even on stage?

[DrSeuss]

DD has just turned three a few weeks ago and goes to a dance class, which she loves. They have a show coming up, her first and we are all really looking forward to it. However, the kit list specifies red lippy and blusher! DH and I were horrified!
Thoughts?

[Munxx]

No way. Absolutely not. I'd be horrified. Blusher?!? Wring wrong wrong.

[Munxx]

So horrified I can't even spell wrong.

Sorry.

[MehsMum]

YANBU, unless this is a serious do with lots of lights and the kids will look really washed out without a bit of make-up. Though in that case I'd expect the dance school to have some stage make-up and to just check if any of the children was likely to be allergic.

Mind you, what do I know? I've had nothing to do with dance classes for decades...

[matildasquared]

If it's actually on a stage, with stage lights, then I think make-up is okay. It's a convention: people wear stage make-up on stage. It's part of the experience of performing.

If it's just in the studio or something, then make-up would be silly.

[Whathaveiforgottentoday]

As long as its on stage its part of the whole experience. My DD's do a show a year and the red lipstick comes out and then gets hidden for another year. No major harm done.

[Xcountry]

My friends dd does dancing and comps and they wear makeup and things, its not my thing (more into mudd and wellies) but each to their own. A lot of people would look the same way at me for sticking my 5yo on psycho pony.

[Mrsjayy]

You know what it is just lip stick for a dance show if people are prepared for 3 yr olds to perform on stage then I imagine you need to do al the costume requirements for the show id be questioning tge dance school you send her too and asking them why toddlers are wearing make up

[BeanyIsPregnant]

I danced on in shows from the age of 2 and we always had to wear makeup (normally just blusher and lipstick) because otherwise you are literally a dancing ghost in the stage lights....
There was one girl in one of my videos from years ago who didn't have make up on (not sure why) and it actually looks like she has no lips.. It's fairly scary..

So if it's a show with anything resembling a half decent light allow the makeup!

[cardibach]

Iagree with PPs who say it's part of the experience and a convention for performing. It makes it different from everyday, and nobody is suggesting that it is normal anywhere else. FWIW I performed (singing and drama) from primary age, I loved wearing stage makeup, but I never wear street makeup as an adult. Didn't as a teenager either, really. The two things (street and stage makeup) are completely different.

[17leftfeet]

We used to do red lips, blusher and blue eyeshadow

It's just dress up

[DefiantRage]

No I think 3 is much too young, whether they're on stage or not. They're 3 years old, the dancing is supposed to be more cute than anything else so really doesn't matter about aesthetics surely?

[matildasquared]

Learning how to put on stage make-up is part of the training too.

[Mrsjayy]

But if they are in a show it is all about the aesthetics surely, they will be wearing costumes they wont be dancing in their leggings and trainers

[matildasquared]

I mean that dance training includes the technique of course but the student shows are opportunities for them to learn about performing, including how to enter and exit a stage, how to behave off-stage, how to make sure they're properly dressed and made-up for the stage too.

I think you're conflating stage make-up (a professional convention, for boys and girls) with sexy girly make-up. Two entirely different things.

But yeah, if there's no stage, then the make-up idea is silly.

[DeWee]

My dcs have all performed from age about 2.6yo. They have a little lipstick and blusher at that age. The girls (now they're older) tend to wear foundation, but ds doesn't generally.

It hasn't made them keen on wearing makeup, they see it as something they do for stage. Dd1 is 13yo now and is allowed "discrete makeup" at school next year, but says she doesn't see the point, she'd rather not. None of them wear make up other than on stage.

[DefiantRage]

The aesthetics of their face I meant mrsjay, they're cute little 3 year olds that should be enough they shouldn't be made to wear makeup like painted dolls.

[Thumbwitch]

DS has been dancing since he was 3 and, being very fair, he needs eye make up more than lipstick. It is specified for the girls, but I don't usually put it on him - but I do always darken his eyebrows and use eyeliner on his eyes otherwise they just disappear into his face under the stage lighting.

I don't really see the issue - it's not like they're wearing it day to day, and it's really no worse than face painting. If you are objecting to the chemicals, then use face paints rather than adult lipstick.

[FreeSpirit89]

What harm is a bit of lippy and blusher going to do...?

[Mrsjayy]

Dancing liffle girls is all about being pretty though

[matildasquared]

Ew. No it isn't.

[DefiantRage]

And they are pretty anyway. I think it's a bad sad if they have to wear makeup to 'stand out' or 'be pretty', and it's not something I'd want them to think is needed to do those things.

[DefiantRage]

bit*

[Runwayqueen]

My dd did her first dance show when she was 3. I did apply makeup as I know under full stage lights she would look washed out without it.

She knows she is only allowed make up on if she is taking part in a show