10 Dance Competition Survival Kit Essentials

Your head is spinning, and your heart is racing. It's competition season again, and you can't wait to show them what you've got. After all, you've put in long hours of back-breaking and toe-numbing work just to get your dance moves right. You also know your mind and muscles need all the help they can get, so you've made sure to eat well, stay hydrated, and get enough Zzzs the entire time. 

Now all that's left to do is make sure your makeup, costume, and dance shoes are perfect before bounding out the door, right? Not quite. There's something you may have forgotten to help keep your confidence intact before, during, and after hitting the stage. We're talking about your dance competition survival kit essentials. Keep any preventable emergencies or "disasters" at bay with these dance must-haves. 

What to include in your dance competition survival kit 

These dance competition survival kit essentials will help you

1. The kit bag 

First off, the point of having a bag is to be organized. Resist the temptation to pack in all the contents of your apartment. Choose a big enough carrier for your needs without being too bulky or too heavy. Check for an adequate number of pockets so that you can categorize and retrieve things easily. Get a waterproof bag, which tends to be more durable, stain-resistant, and easier to clean.     

2. Ziplock pouches 

It's likely you won't fit all your things into your kit's pockets, and perhaps it's better that way. Ziplock pouches can help you organize and quickly find small, easy-to-lose items, such as delicate hair accessories and rhinestone earrings, without digging them out. Additionally, these transparent compartments can help keep apart tangly things, like hairnets and false lashes.

3. Clear garment bag

You may also need quick costume changes. See-through garment bags can make it easy for you to tell pieces apart and pull them out instantly. This can be a lifesaver, especially during crunch time. Find one with several pockets—you surely wouldn't want your fresh and sweaty clothes to mix. 

4. Train case

Imagine traveling some distance to get to your location only to discover that your perfect blush kit has shattered into bits. Disastrous, right? A good quality train or makeup case is thus essential to keep beauty items in one piece, particularly when you're on the road.

5. Fortifications

Dancers need to be well-fuelled to remain in peak performance. So, power up with these fortifications! 

Snack on carrots, celery, beets, sweet potatoes, parsnips, etc. Raise the flavor factor with nutritious dips like avocado, salsa, tzatziki, spinach, artichoke, and hummus. 

Bring a good-sized bottle, so you don't have to keep going back to the water 

station. 

Revive your energy with these bars that can be rich sources of protein, fiber, and good fats. However, keep sugar content and artificial ingredients to a minimum. 

Indulge the healthy and nutty way with almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans, and hazelnuts. Get our sweet fix with avocados, blueberries, and kiwi. And no, fruit and nut chocolate doesn't count!) 

Boost your protein reserves with lean and yummy sandwiches like chicken or turkey. Remember to skip the calorific dressing, though!

6. "Precautionary" clothing  

An ounce of prevention is almost always worth a pound of cure. And dancing is an injury-prone profession. Gear up with these dancer duds: 

It's therefore critical to get your cold muscles in proper condition before any stretching exercises. Make sure you put on extra layers to warm up and stay out of the danger zone. A sweater or jacket will also keep you from shivering in a cold theater or ballroom. Don't forget about your feet and ankles! Before you go on stage, give them some cozy lovin' with warmup booties. Make them a tad larger so you can put them on and off while wearing your dance shoes, which will also keep them clean.

All the energetic and gravity-defying movements can easily give your leotards a few rips or runs. Avoid a "tear-ful" scenario by bringing a pair of tights (or as many colors as you need)

Naturally, you want your performance to be a big reveal. But unwanted exposure from the bright stage lights is another thing! So get only the right kind of attention by wearing nude-colored undergarments, such as Ruby Love's Period Bodysuit in Sun Tan, which can help you cover up even with the sheerest costumes. 

7. Hygiene essentials

Unless you're a Disney princess, you'll need to put in the effort to remain fabulously fresh for the show. So stay in "minty" condition by having these items handy. 

If you'll be in close contact with a dancing partner, breath fresheners are indispensable!

Whether it's from all the vigorous dance moves, your nerves, or both, you're likely to work up a sweat. Stay clean and odor-free by adding these to your dance competition survival kit.

Choose a cotton towel for maximum absorbency to avert that imminent wet look. 

Whenever possible, brush your teeth with some good anti-cavity protection toothpaste. And while you're at it, pick one that can whiten your teeth without corroding them. 

Even the toughest female dancers need TLC, especially when the competition schedule coincides with your menstrual season. So stay clean, confident, and fresh with a handy stash of personal hygiene items, such as feminine pads and tampons. You may also opt to wear period underwear for complete leak-proof protection, such as Ruby Love period panties, which provide 2.5 tampons' worth of absorbency. 

Hand sanitizers can be an absolute godsend when traveling, making it easy for you to wash your hands anywhere. 

8. Fix-it gizmos

Being a dancer requires being on your feet every time—both literally and figuratively. 

Your constant and spirited movements can lead to pesky "accidents" and wardrobe malfunctions. Hold it together with these indispensable items: 

• Double-sided tape (for adhering material to material)
• Body glue (for adhering your costume or any material like sequins to bare skin) 
• Safety pins 
• Sewing kit ( check for threads in the right color!)
• Shoe brush (to keep your soles from being too slick)

• Rosin (if you're wearing pointe shoes or any satin or leathery footwear on a slippery floor)

9. Hair and makeup items

When you go up that stage, you better make sure you look your darnedest best with these beauty kit essentials: 

• Hair items (pins, elastics, hairspray, hairbrushes, hair nets)
• Blotting papers or makeup wipes (to keep your face as fresh as a daisy) 
• Makeup paraphernalia (lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, blush, makeup brushes, makeup remover, cotton swabs, false eyelashes (if you wish)

10. Drug store basics 

Safety is always first, even in dance competitions. Bolster up your protection with these first-aid must-haves: 

• Band-aids (for annoying blisters)
• Hot packs (for treating muscle pain or stiffness)
• Cold bags (for reducing swelling and pain in injuries, sprains, or strains)
• Tissues
• Meds
  Bring meds for pain relief, allergy, heartburn, or indigestion, and prescription drugs, if any. See your physician beforehand to check for possible interactions
• Eye drops 

Wrapping up your dance competition survival kit 

 A complete dance competition survival kit can make a lot of difference in scoring a smooth-as-silk performance. Preparing for emergencies and ensuring you have everything you need in one place allows you to focus your energies on your dance moves alone. But wait, there’s definitely more! 

Have that extra boost of confidence with Ruby Love Smart Period Apparel, such as period underwear, period leggings in Black or our one-piece leotards, with patented leak-proof technology that works both as period underwear and activewear! Run, jump, flip—whatever you want and need to do, Ruby Love's got you covered. With our Dri-Tech Mesh technology  designed to protect against period leaks while you train or compete, you can stay stress-free and worry-free! Choose from our period apparel collection today and get ready to dance your heart out!