Ah, cheer competition morning—it’s a whole vibe, right? The early alarms, the scramble to get everything together, and let’s be honest, sometimes our girls come with a side of sass when the nerves kick in. It’s like they’re ready to take on the world, but first, we have to tackle hair and makeup! If you’ve ever found yourself navigating a full glam session while keeping calm amidst the chaos, you’re not alone. Today, I’m sharing my go-to hair and makeup tips and my favorite products for your athlete so she can hit that mat looking and feeling her absolute best. Let’s make this part of the day a little easier, shall we?
Perfecting Competition Day Hair
First, let’s tackle hair. It’s impossible to give you every single tip for your athlete’s competition hairstyle because there are so many different looks. However, whether it’s a high pony, braids, space buns, or even hairpieces, there are some universal tips that can help everyone. Here’s a quick list of essentials:
Smoothing Brush
A soft bristle brush helps control frizz and smooth out bumps, especially for athletes with a lot of hair. This one from Amazon is also great for teasing and sectioning/parting!
Teasing Comb
Perfect for creating a teased ponytail and getting smooth, clean parts with its pointed end. I use this one on my own hair on a regular basis.
Hair Ties
Always have plenty of hair ties on hand. You’ll need them, trust me!
Bobby Pins
Essential for holding hair in place and smoothing out bumps using my special hack.
Curl Cream or Gel
I like this cream from Not Your Mother’s brand. Try using this before reaching for that bottle of hairspray, which can melt from sweat or be less effective in humid climates. A good cream or gel will do a better job of taming frizz and flyaways without leaving behind that stiff, sticky feeling.
Texturizing Spray
I believe this should be a staple for EVERY cheerleader AND cheer mom. I use it on almost a daily basis! Texturizing spray adds body, volume, and grip, so it’s great for just about any style! It boosts fine hair, gives a high ponytail a nice, full look, helps with making the braiding process less “slippery,” and even works to help revive unwashed hair. I swear by the IGK Beach Club Texturizing Spray (on the recommendation of my hairstylist and longtime cheer mom.) plus, they have a travel-sized can, too!
Hair Spray
Everyone has their favorites, but when I started using Got2B Glued for cheer hair, I never went back. If you need hairspray, stock up on this one early and often! It tends to get hard to find when cheer competition season kicks in, because I think it’s everyone’s favorite.
Wax Sticks
I was skeptical of this trendy product at first, and I tried several different sticks. I can confidently say that Slick Hair has the best one – at least for my hair. Their Slick Stick is also great for edges, smoothing out frizz and flyaways, and my favorite part is, even when I use it for everyday styles, it doesn’t make my hair feel sticky or waxy the next day.
Use code: THECHEERMOMBLOG for 10% off your order from Slick Hair Company!
Pro Tips for Cheer Competition Hair Styling
When it comes to getting your cheer athlete’s hair competition-ready, starting with the right foundation and using the best techniques makes all the difference.
Start with Dirty Hair
Believe it or not, clean hair can be a challenge to style. For the best results, begin with second or third-day hair. It holds styles better, especially those tight ponytails or buns that cheer competitions demand.
Use Products Wisely
Hairspray alone won’t cut it, especially in humid environments. For long-lasting cheer competition hair, texturizing spray and gel are your best friends. They provide the hold you need while adding volume and preventing frizz.
Hack for “Bumps” in Hair
Struggling with hair bumps? Here’s a quick fix! Insert one bobby pin on the part of the bump that’s farthest from the back of the head or base of the ponytail, being sure that the ‘bumpy side’ of the bobby pin is facing down. Slowly and gently drag the bobby pin toward the back of the head or base of the ponytail, bun, or wherever the hair tie is securing the hair. This smooths out those pesky bumps and keeps everything looking sleek and competition-ready.
With these tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be styling cheer competition hair like a pro! (as the daughter of a hairstylist, I know!)
Achieving the Quintessential Cheer “High Pony”
If you want your athlete’s cheer bow to sit right on top of her head, follow these steps:
1. Position the ponytail in line with the top of the ears.
2. Secure it with several layers of hair ties – the more, the better.
3. Add the bow over the hair ties you’ve already put in.
3. Use bobby pins to secure the loops and tails of the bow for extra stability.
Competition Makeup Essentials
When it comes to cheer competition makeup, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and the same makeup product won’t look identical on two different athletes. A cheer gym’s makeup requirements can vary widely based on the team’s age division, the particular theme or colors, and sometimes even the specific competition event itself (for example, some teams will slightly change their look for a large National competition like NCA, or for themed events like Gold Rush).
From bold, performance-ready looks to more subtle styles (with “subtle” being a very loose term because come on..we’re talking about cheer), every team has its own set of guidelines, so it’s important to communicate with your coach or team rep and know what’s expected before competition day! Let’s dive into the essentials to make sure your athlete is competition – and photo – ready.
Whether your team provides a custom makeup kit or allows you to choose your products, here are the basics:
Brush Set
All the different makeup brushes can be intimidating, but chances are that even your seven-year-old will know the purpose of each brush. Investing in a good set of makeup brushes is key to achieving a flawless, professional-looking finish. High-quality brushes allow for more precise application, better blending, and smoother coverage, making it easier to achieve the desired look. They also hold and distribute product more evenly, preventing harsh lines or patchy spots.
This is the makeup brush set I use (and LOVE) both for everyday wear, and a full glam look. I also love this electric brush cleaner and dryer. It’s so important to keep your makeup brushes clean!
Lip Primer
Using a lip primer before lipstick application ensures a smoother, more even finish, enhances color vibrancy, hydrates the lips, and increases longevity by preventing fading and feathering. Just about any primer will do, but I am currently using the primer made by Anastasia Beverly Hills.
Makeup Wipes
Makeup wipes are incredibly handy for quick fixes, as they allow you to easily remove smudged eyeliner, correct makeup mishaps, or refresh your look on the go without the need for a full cleansing routine. Every cheer mom should have a least a few makeup wipes in her purse at all times, and every cheer team rep needs a dozen or two in her survival kit!
Eye Pads
Prevent smudges, dark spots, and fallouts by using eye pads. They are particularly useful for creating sharp lines for a winged eyeliner look, or a dramatic smokey eye. Think of them as a stencil for applying eye makeup!
Spoolies
I learned this one from Rebel Model and Navarro Alum, Samantha Ryan. If your mascara smudges during application, let it dry first, and then scrape it off with a spoolie. Spoolies are also great for combing and separating lashes without caking on more product.
Lipstick vs. Lip Stain
Prevent a potential cheer mom freakout (yes, this happened to me) caused by red lipstick staining a white uniform by choosing a lip stain instead. There are so many smudge-proof options available, but I know so many cheer moms who use the Maybelline Super Stay brand. My daughter loves it, too! It’s available in over 40 colors, and it’s easy to apply.
False Eyelashes
There’s a big discussion among cheer moms (yes, I see you in the cheer Facebook Groups) about the “best” false lashes for cheer athletes. While there are many quality options, my view is that almost any false lash will do. My daughter tried many different brands, and the drugstore brand worked just as well as the online-only, expensive stuff. Stick with basics! My only tip here is to choose lash sets that include a variety of lengths and thicknesses so you can customize the fit for your athlete.
Cheer Makeup Application and Removal Tips:
When it comes to cheer makeup for younger athletes, always remember: “less is more.” Heavy foundations and contouring can mask their natural beauty and youthful glow, so it’s best to keep the base light and fresh.
The eyes are the stars of any cheer competition, so dedicate your time to making them shine! Focus on applying eye shadow, primer, liner, and mascara—don’t be afraid to add false lashes for that extra flair and definition. This will not only enhance their gaze but also ensure they grab the judges’ and audience’s attention.
To help your cheer athlete truly stand out on stage, bold lips and rosy cheeks are a must. These vibrant accents provide a stunning contrast to their uniforms and help convey their energy and enthusiasm.
For removing cheer makeup, I swear by the JUNO & Co cleansing balm that only has 10 ingredients, works fast and doesn’t irritate the skin or the eyes.
As a cheer mom, your role is crucial in making sure your young cheerleader’s makeup is performance-ready, setting them up for success. With these tips in mind, your cheer athlete will radiate confidence and look fabulous as they hit that mat!
