There is a moment I still love to this day: I sit in front of the mirror, stage lights already flickering behind the door, applying the final brush strokes. For over 20 years this ritual has been part of me – pole dance and makeup are inseparably connected in my life.
How it all began
When I first started performing on stage as a young woman, I always did my own makeup. Not because I could, but because I had to. And that is exactly where the fascination gripped me: how colours, light and shadow can completely transform a face. The stage taught me to think big – in dance and in makeup.
What makes stage makeup special
Stage makeup follows different rules to an everyday look. Under spotlights, soft colours vanish, and what looks exaggerated in daylight appears perfect on stage.
- •Intensity is everything: eyeshadow, liner and lips need to be bolder than in everyday life so they remain visible under the lights.
- •Longevity beats care: sweat, movement and heat – your makeup must last for hours without running.
- •Contour and definition: instead of a natural "no-makeup look", the goal is to accentuate facial features so they are recognisable even from the back row.
My stage look – step by step
Every performance is different, but my framework stays the same:
The base - Long-lasting primer that withstands sweat. - Full-coverage foundation, applied evenly with a sponge. - Setting with translucent powder – generously, especially in the T-zone.
The eyes - Brows strongly defined – they give the face structure on stage. - Eyeshadow in bold shades: dark brown, black or smokey eyes with gold. - Gel liner for a sharp line that does not smudge. - False lashes – they make the biggest difference under the lights.
Lips and contour - Lip liner first, filling in the entire lip – that provides staying power. - Long-lasting lipstick in bold shades: red, berry or a deep nude. - Contour and highlighter stronger than in everyday life to create structure.
The setting ritual - Setting spray as the final step – ideally a full-day variant. - Extra tip: a quick blast with the hairdryer on cold helps the spray set faster.
What the stage taught me about beauty
The most important lesson? Makeup is expression, not concealment. On stage you are allowed to be loud, dramatic, bold. I carried that into my everyday life. My stage look taught me not to be afraid of colour – and that confidence is the best accessory.
If you ask me where my makeup journey began: right here, in front of the backstage mirror, with a lipstick in one hand and a brush in the other.
