Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Must Haves as a Dance Mom
22
items These are the items we have tested and used for years. All the things that I wouldn't dare do competitive dance without. Many of these items I have used since combo class at 3 years old. You won't need everything on this list…individual needs vary, so don't go out and just buy everything! But I promise, these things will make your life easier.
Sections
5
Makeup
Hair
Organization
Survival Items
Equipment
Makeup
The Frosting color is a great highlighter in the corner of the eye or under the brow! So easy to use.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Yogurt - Eyeshadow & Eyeliner
My daughter loves the feel and smell of these wipes. They take off all her makeup and leave her feeling refreshed and clean. I love that they are a natural product.
Burt’s Bees Micellar Rose Water Facial Towelettes
These pads are THE BEST at removing tough eye makeup…even waterproof and long lasting. Make sure you get the oil based pads in the purple/pink package and not the water based in the blue/green packaging.
Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads
The BEST mascara for the stage. Comes in many different shades, stays on all day and won't break the bank.
Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
These are the best for face makeup. Lasts all day, easy to build up and add more throughout the day if needed. You can even let your dancer dot this on her own face so she feels involved…then you take the brush and do the blending. Compact, easy to carry, easy to use. How can it get any better? Oh yeah, and they last FOREVER!
Face Sticks Trio: Blush, Highlighter & Contour
This is the ballet red lipstick your dance instructor wants for your dancer. I promise. The color is perfect, it stays on, and again if your dancer wants to be involved in putting on makeup, let them put on the clear coat after you do the permanent r...
2-Step Liquid Lipstick, Keep It Red
Hair
Love this stuff, and more importantly, so does my daughter. Keeps the fly away at Bay, smells great, and easier to change hairstyles than with hairspray for those of you that have a multitude of costume changes.
MAEN Event Spray Gel | Clean Styling Gel for Daily Use
The individually wrapped hair nets are fantastic for the perfect ballet bun.
Hair Nets for Ballet Buns
The hair is not going to move. I promise! This stuff is gold.
TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray
These tools are what you need to make the perfect ballet bun: slicked back, no flyaways, no bumps, just smooth hair.
Slick Back Hair Brush Set
This genius comb will fit into the bun box I recommend.
Carbon Retractable Parting Comb
If you have short hair and need barrettes or hair clips, these are what you want. They will NOT fall out of hair.
Double Grip Hair Clips
This small but mighty box will hold everything you need for buns on the run (or 2 minutes before dance class starts when the pressure is really on!) I have included photos of our actual box so you can see how we use it. Another bonus is the real hinges, not just folded plastic that will break over time.
Bun Box
Organization
We love this large makeup bag for competitions. It keeps us organized. There are compartments for makeup, hair, medicine/first aid, and anything else you can think of. We use the small square plastic bins on the organization list to hold hair ties, hair nets, jewelry and repair tools (like tweezers, small scissors, tiny screw drivers, a lighter, clear nail polish, needle and thread). I have included pictures of our actual bag so you can see how we use it.
Extra Large Makeup Bag with 3 Removable Cases
Survival Items
This is not your typical S|M 40 oz. The straw actually has a locking mechanism to prevent spills. And it really works. Plus, these have soft straws that are better for your teeth. Throw it in the dance duffle with no worries.
Simple Modern 40oz Leak-Proof Ceramic Tumbler
Equipment
If you have a shy dancer, this works great! Super light and easy to carry.
Privacy Curtain for Dance Bag Suitcase Portable Changing Room
You gotta have a dance bag for competition. It may seem like overkill, but you will be so glad you have it. This one is great. It collapses for storage when it’s not competition season. It has a cooler compartment for snacks and drinks and it’s 28” t...
Mavii Deluxe 28" Rolling Dance Duffel Bag
Collapsible stools make everything easier: putting on makeup, fixing their hair, waiting between numbers. And they easily fit in your big dance bag. I would get 2 because YOU deserve to sit too!
Collapsable Stool
It's so nice to have a table surface to put food and drinks on rather than the floor. It help keep drinks from being kicked over, and is so light and easy to pack in the dace bag.
Ultralight Aluminum Table
Go ahead and get the cushion for the stools. Your butt will thank you after a weekend long competition!
Memory Foam Stool Cushion for Retractable Stool (2 Pack)
A must have for costumes. Pockets provide space for accessories, hairpieces, shoes and tights. Keep everything you need for one costume together in one place. It helps make those fast changes doable. Comes in many colors and in packs of 2, 4, or 8.
Dance Costume Garment Bag
LOVE these custom name stickers. We have one on our makeup box, one on our bun box and one on our Hulken. Any colors you want to match your bag, your studio or your team. I have never had one pull or fall off…except when I pulled it off to move it to a new bin. I couldn't believe it removed and re-stuck without a problem!
Custom Name Glitter Stickers