In general, makeup for a dance audition should be simple. Focus on highlighting and intensifying the eyes, one of your most engaging performance tools. Use natural, dark and earthy hues for eye makeup. For the lips, stick with chocolate browns or rose hues. Use waterproof or specialized dance makeup to combat sweating. Keep your hair out of your face to avoid dirtying your makeup and obscuring your facial expressions.
Thoroughly blend your foundation before a dance audition. Fill and shape your eyebrows and subtly highlight the under-brow line with white liner. “Contour” your eye makeup by applying shadow across the lash line and fading as the makeup reaches the brow bone. Create a sideways “V” shape around the outside of your eyelid, applying shadow to the crease in the lid highlight the natural shape of your eye. Highlight your eyes further with black eyeliner. Blend blush thoroughly to avoid an unnatural look. Fill your lips with a lip pencil and apply natural-hued lipstick.
Comfort and professionalism are key to clothing at a dance audition. Wear a solid, conservatively colored leotard with matching, solid-colored tights. Try your ensemble out at least once before the audition to get comfortable wearing it and make sure you have a full range of comfortable motion. Always wear comfortable, flat ballet shoes and bring jazz shoes and knee pads just in case. Modify your wardrobe slightly per the audition. For instance, hip-hop dance auditions call for less conservative styles than classical ballet auditions.
Come to the audition equipped with band-aids, moleskin, a head shot photo and a resume. Make sure your photo actually reflects your current appearance on the day of the audition. “Acting” your dancing is just as important as nailing the technicalities. Focus on the moment and don't broadcast mistakes you make – just keep going. Give yourself a few moments of quiet mental preparation before entering the audition space. Remember, the audition panel is on your side; they want to find just the right dancer and they're hoping it's you.