Stage Makeup Artistry
Available across Chennai
I do stage makeup and hair for Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers, making sure your look stays sharp and traditional through long performances and tough stage lights.
Pricing Guide
Standard Solo Performance Styling
Stage-Proof Makeup
- Base: Long-wear primers and setting sprays (Charlotte Tilbury/Urban Decay) engineered for 90-minute continuous durability.
- Features: Abhinaya-focused contouring and waterproof mascara to ensure expressions read clearly from distance.
Hair & Draping
- Structure: Traditional bun and braid styling with secure fixing of Rakodi and Billai ornaments.
- Costume: Expert safety-pinned pleating to ensure the fan opens fully during movement.
Service Scope
- Format: One-time application at the venue or studio.
- Exclusion: Artist departs immediately after styling; no intermission touch-ups or costume change assistance provided.
Full Arangetram & Greenroom Support
High-End Stage Makeup
- Foundation: Sweat-resistant matte finish (MAC/Huda Beauty) built to withstand 1000W stage par lights and physical exertion.
- Eyes: Vivartana-style dramatic winged gel liner and premium reusable false eyelashes visible from the auditorium's last row.
- Lips: Stain-proof matte liquid lipstick application to prevent bleeding onto costumes.
Heavy-Duty Architecture
- Hair: Installation of false hair extension (Savari) and fresh Jasmine (Mallipoo) ring secured with U-pins to prevent bouncing.
- Jewelry: Pain-free threading of Headset (Nethichutti) and Mattal using grips for zero movement during jumps.
- Draping: Araimandi-proof folding to ensure full range of motion without wardrobe malfunctions.
Backstage Concierge
- Duration: Full presence during the event for sweat blotting and re-powdering.
- Support: Hands-on assistance with costume changes and nerve management during intermissions.
HD Portfolio Shoot Styling
Camera-Specific Application
- Texture: HD/Airbrush-finish foundations designed specifically for high-resolution close-ups and studio strobes.
- Correction: Color correction for pigmentation and under-eyes to minimize post-production editing.
- Body Work: Luminizer application on arms and back to ensure even skin tone in photographs.
On-Set Management
- Variations: Includes 2-3 minor look changes (lip color, bindi, hair loosening) within the 4-hour block.
- Monitoring: Continuous checks for oil shine, fly-away hairs, and costume alignment on the photographer's monitor.
About Stage Makeup Artistry
Why I Do What I Do
Being a Bharatanatyam dancer myself, I get how stage makeup for a live performance is totally different from regular makeup. Under those harsh lights, your face has to speak, sweat-proof and all, even if you’re two hours into a recital. I want every dancer to feel confident their abhinaya (expressions) actually reach the last bench.
What You Get
- Full-face, durable application designed for Indian classical dance - especially Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi
- Traditional hair styling, including braids, the classic bun, and fixing up gajra and ornaments so they don’t go flying mid-spin
- My base is in Bengaluru (Malleswaram), but I work in Chennai too
When I’m Most Needed
- Arangetram and Rangapravesam prep - I know what this day means, I’ve lived it
- Classical dance photo shoots or video shoots - flawless, sweat proof performance makeup that looks natural and sharp in high-res cameras
- Solo recitals and small groups - if you want personalized attention, this is my jam
My Style & Approach
- Dramatic eye makeup for dancers - bold wings, super symmetrical, stays put through tears and sweat
- Contoured, highlighted base so your features pop from stage, but don’t cake up
- Defined, classical lips - no shortcuts, no smudges
- I keep things chill in the greenroom, because I know the nerves before an Arangetram are real
What I Don’t Do
I don’t take bookings for school annual days or large group gigs. My heart’s in one-on-one work where every detail matters.
Why It Matters
For me, makeup is part of the story you’re telling. It’s not just paint, it’s energy, tradition, and a bit of magic for that spotlight moment.
Meet your Expert
Sushmitha Suresh
159 connects in last 3 months
My Story
Hey, we’re Vivartana. Dance is our heartbeat - Bharatanatyam is how we breathe. We’re split between Chennai and Bangalore, and our studio is like a second home. We’re shaped by our Gurus, and nothing beats seeing our students shine, like that first arrangetram in 2023 with our all-women orchestra. Vivartana is where we mess up, laugh, learn, and celebrate every dancer’s journey. Kids, seniors, newbies - all welcome.
My Work
Bharatanatyam Classes & Workshops - We teach Bharatanatyam online and offline for kids and adults. It’s more than steps, it’s culture.
Choreography & Performances - We create group choreography for festivals, perform at events, and love experimenting with new ideas.
Dance Makeup Services - We offer Bharatanatyam makeup tips and services for dancers. It’s all about storytelling, eyes, and lasting power.
Studio Space for Artists - Our dance rehearsal space in Chennai and Bangalore is open for other artists to practice and create.
