COSTUMES, HAIR, & MAKEUP
Last updated October 17th
IMPORTANT DEADLINES:
COSTUME PICKUP:
You will receive a text message from the ALDA Customer Care Team once your dancer's costume(s) have arrived in studio and are ready for pickup! All accounts must be made current prior to any costume being released. You may log into your Parent Portal or visit us at the front desk to take care of any outstanding balances.
Costume Exchange Policy:
Our admin team must see the costume on your dancer in person at the studio.
We will re-measure your dancer to determine the appropriate size.
If your dancer's measurements still fall within the same size range as the costume they received and you’d still prefer a different size, it will be considered a “Parent Preference” exchange and will include a $60 exchange fee.
If their measurements have changed and they have grown out of that size range, it will be considered a “Measurement-Based” exchange, and the studio will cover the exchange fees.
Important note: Costumes are meant to fit snugly, like a leotard — a tight fit is normal.
The Two-Finger Rule:
We use a two-finger rule to help determine if a costume fits properly.
If you can comfortably fit two fingers between your dancer and the seams of the costume while they’re wearing it, the fit is considered correct — snug but not too tight.
If you're unable to fit two fingers comfortably or if your dancer is expressing discomfort, it’s a good idea to bring the costume and your dancer into the studio. Our admin team will be happy to assess the fit and advise on next steps.
GETTING READY GUIDELINES
COSTUME CHECK WEEK GUIDELINES:
It's Christmas Spectacular Costume Check Week: Nov. 22nd (for Saturday classes), Dec 1st - 5th!!
Plan to wear your dancer's Christmas Spectacular costumes with all accessories to class this week & bring your dress code dance wear to change into!!!
Costume check is a SUPER IMPORTANT checkpoint for our Christmas Spectacular Showcase! This is our only opportunity to see all dancers in their costumes with correct shoes, tights, accessories, and hair prior to the actual performance!!
Here's how it works:
On Nov. 22nd (for Saturday classes) and during the week of Dec 1st-5th plan to bring your dancer to their regular classes wearing their performance costume with correct shoes, tights, accessories, and hair.
If your child's class is a combo class, tap costumes will go first!
Your instructor will stand all performers in a line at the beginning of class and verify that all costumes are stage ready, all accessories are being worn correctly, and everyone has the correct shoes, tights, and hair.
Once the costume check is complete, your instructor will allow dancers to change out of their performance costumes and into their regular class dress code to continue on with class. We do not want dancers to get their costumes dirty or damage them prior to the show so be sure to bring your dress code to change into!!
To-Do Checklist for Costume Check Week
- Arrive to class in full performance costume
- Include all accessories, tights, shoes, and hair styled as for the show
- Bring regular class attire to change into after costume check
- Label all costume pieces and accessories with your dancer’s name
- Double-check that costumes are clean, wrinkle-free, and performance-ready
- Pack costume carefully after check to keep it in perfect condition
MAKEUP GUIDELINES:
Putting makeup on your dancer may feel a bit overwhelming. From selecting the correct colors, to what to actually do, to getting your dancer to sit still -- and the super popular question --do they even really need it?!
We get it. Getting ready for the day can be hectic and stressful .... but it doesn't have to be!!!
Follow these simple tips/guidelines to prepare your dancer for their big day:
1. Do they really need it? -- YES! Although we will never require makeup for showcase/recitals it is HIGHLY recommended. Stage lights are EXTREMELY harsh and bright -- so much so that your dancers facial features may not show up in professional photography and videography nor will be visible from the audience. No makeup + stage lights = a washed out face
2. Do I need to do a full face? -- No, but you do need to use highly pigmented colors and apply what you are using more generously than you would for normal wear. For example, using foundation may not be necessary; let's be honest, all our kids have BEAUTIFUL skin; so foundation is not a necessity but do apply a nice rosy blush. Use that blush more "full out" than you would for normal wear. From stage under those bright lights it will likely look very minimal but your dancer won't look washed out!
I highly recommend a rosy cheek, lashes, and lips at a minimum. Eye shadow is great too, just be sure to use natural looking colors!!
** Pro Tip** Opt for a lip stain over a lip stick -- it has staying power and won't smear all over your dancer's face or costume!!
And when it comes to lashes, practice ahead of time to know what method will work best for your dancer! Remember, you don't have to fight your little one with the mascara wand -- there are false lashes that have the adhesive already ready to go!! These apply like a sticker and may be a better option for you! If using mascara, be sure to use waterproof just in case!!
Still not feeling super confident? Here's a link to a full blog post all about how exactly to apply performance makeup for young dancers!!
And please reach out if you need us!! We are here to help through ALL the things!!
HAIR GUIDELINES:
All dancers with the exception of Twinkle Babies, Creative Combo, and Hip Hop will need to have their hair in a ballet bun for stage!
For Twinkle Babies & Creative Combo dancers, please wear a ballet bun if possible. We understand these dancers are very young and may not have enough hair to work with. If the ballet bun is not an option, please wear a pony tail or half up half down.
PACKING GUIDELINES:
Okay, it's time to start preparing for show day & packing ... there's that overwhelming feeling again. Maybe you have it easy and only 1 routine to prepare and pack for. Or maybe you have several?
RULE #1 LABEL EVERYTHING
When I say everything, I sincerely mean it: Every costume piece, every pair of tights, each shoe that's needed, each accessory, your garment bag -- if it belongs to your child it needs to have their name on it! Remember, your dancer is one of over 200 that will be using the backstage area. Add in quick changes and the fast pace of backstage life and it can quickly become a disaster with piles of belongings scattered around. Now, your child's dresser (backstage volunteer) will be helping to prevent as much chaos as possible but we make her job sooooooo much easier by having everything labeled and organized at the start!!!
RULE #2 MAKE A LIST & CHECK IT MORE THAN TWICE
"Not having a plan is planning to fail." You will not remember all the things that need to be packed the night before or the morning of. We parents are pretty darn amazing, but we aren't perfect. So make a checklist now and plan to pack your show day bag a full week in advance. That way when you remember something at 2am the Friday night before the show, all you have to do is add it to your mostly prepared bag and head back to dreamland.
Follow this guide when making your packing list (and trust me...you don't need anything extra):
Routine Name:
Tights Required:
Shoes Required:
Accessories Required:
Everything Labeled? Y or N
In Garment Bag? Y or N
Repeat the list above for each routine that your dancer is in. And YES that's ALL they need backstage with them!! There's no food or drinks (not even water) permitted to be brought backstage. Studio staff will provide dancers with water should they be in need. Please remember we don't want food or drink (even water) spilled all over someone's outfit seconds before they are to hit the stage for their big moment.
Please don't pack any toys or additional activities for your child either. We've also got that covered backstage!! We have non-marking colors & color activities, we sing songs, we play blocks, and we are also watching the show in real time as its happening!!! It's PLENTY of stimulation and the extras either end up getting lost, broken, or create unnecessary drama backstage. Our backstage volunteers and staff will remove any extras and toss out any food or drink sent backstage.
If your child has a specific medical requirement in regards to food, drink, medicine, or any other, you will be required to be a backstage volunteer to best assist their needs. Please reach out to our admin team immediately if you fall into this category.
RULE #3 LAYER YOUR TIGHTS
This one is for our dancers in multiple dance routines. Layering tights is an old school trick to simplify and speed up the quick change process -- and your dancer will be grateful!!!
Let's say I'm in 3 different routines in the following order:
Routine A wears Pink Tights
Routine B wears Tan Tights
Routine C wears Pink Tights
When getting dressed on the day of show, I would put my tights on and layer them in the following order: pink for C, then tan for B, then another pair of pink for A.
Sure, it won't feel totally normal to be wearing 3 pair of tights at once BUT my range of movement isn't hindered, I don't have to try to put tights on quickly over sweaty skin in a panic, I'll never be fully nude backstage, and there's less for me to pack in my bag!
It's truly a win win win win win -- Layer the tights y'all! And if you need help figuring out what your specific order is, reach out to me or my admin team!!!
RULE #4 NO REGULAR UNDIES
I can bet there are some strange facial expressions when reading that one but trust me on this (or look at it for yourself) you do not want to put regular undies on under your costumes on show day.
Regular undies are not cut the same way as dance costumes (or even dance leotards) are. Those regular undies will hang out the sides of the costumes, and what's worse, they will glow under the stage lights! You'll get your pics and videos back and all you'll be able to focus on is the glowing undies hanging out.
Great news is there's a couple of options to avoid this:
1. Get some dance undies - a quick Amazon search and you'll find some!
2. Wear a nude leotard as your undies for the day! This option also means your dancer never needs to be fully nude for costume changes!! Just be sure to select one that works under all of your dancer's costumes. These can also be found on Amazon and other online retailers!
If you have a little one that is still potty training or you feel could possibly have an accident, please put them in an overnight pull-up and send an extra one in your dancer's garment bag!! Try to find a pull-up with as minimal colors and characters on it as possible so it's not super visible under your child's costume. If you fall into this category it may also be best for you to be the backstage volunteer for your child's class.
RULE #5 SET UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL DAY
Remember your dancer is an athlete and they need adequate food and rest to perform their best. I highly recommend an early bedtime the night before any performance. Eating a solid breakfast is equally important!!
For our preschoolers, please plan to leave enough time ahead of your dancer's call time for a nice breakfast/meal and potty break! We try to limit the amount of potty breaks that need to occur backstage and you can help us with this by making sure your little one has had a trip to the bathroom with you BEFORE coming backstage.
ALDA Customer Care Team Text Line (909)942-1146
