How HBCU Majorettes Get Ready For Game Day

When it comes to high kicks, leap splits, and intense glamour, several iconic dance teams may come to mind. The Rockettes are often first referenced, while cheer enthusiasts immediately think of the legendary Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. However, for Historically Black College & University (HBCU) graduates and marching band aficionados, it's the schools' dancelines — like the Texas Southern University's "Motion of the Ocean" majorette team — that are beauty and grace personified.

"The Motion's signature look is unpredictable," says Kayla King, current captain and four-year team veteran. "Our glam brings something fresh to every performance, leaving the audience wondering what is next. The eye makeup truly enhances the uniform, and the lip ties it all together. Our image is everything, and we are very big on looking identical." Texas Southern's Motion of The Ocean dance team has always been known for their distinctive makeup look that distinguishes them from other majorette teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

"I would describe Motion of the Ocean's signature look as unique, glamorous, and flawless," four-year member Serenity Bagley says. "We love a dewy, glowing base with a soft, neutral eye look, paired with a pop of bold red lipstick and natural brows. Motion's job is always to do it and never overdo it."

Under the direction of coach and coordinator Danielle Stamper, a former Southern University Dancing Dolls captain, the team has been effortlessly reimagined inside and out. She has elevated the stunning looks that fans have admired since its inception in 1969. "We are never afraid to step outside of the box or add a theatrical element to our makeup, whether it is a rhinestone or a bold lip," says Brealle Toussaint, a sophomore and second-year team member.

For anyone familiar with films like "Drumline," the incredible coordination displayed by dancers during the Battle of the Bands and football game performances is immediately recognizable. But this level of precision and synchronization was a cornerstone of HBCU marching band culture long before it was captured on the big screen. When joining a collegiate squad at an HBCU, dancers understand that absolute uniformity is expected — from hairstyling and makeup to uniforms and even how they move through crowds before and after the halftime field show.

A hallmark of HBCU dancers is their impeccable appearances throughout performances, maintaining pristine makeup and flawless presentation from start to finish. While each team approaches game-day glamour differently based on their respective traditions, The Motion dancers excel through complete uniformity, which is one of their superpowers. "There is no one right way to interpret it, but it's all about coordinating with the costume and capturing the theme while keeping it performance-friendly," says Khailee Chretien, sophomore and second-year dancer.

Game Day Makeup

HBCU marching band programs often operate on limited budgets, with dancers receiving even less financial support despite their crucial role in bringing energy and spirit to football games and field shows. As a result, team members must develop essential skills beyond performance, including learning to do their own makeup. "With our makeup artist, we use her for big games," Stamper says. "Overall, the girls also do an amazing job with their own makeup."

On game day, it's crucial for performers to have makeup products that stay flawless throughout all activities — from marching into the stadium and pregame stand shows to halftime performances and the final stadium exit. Achieving this level of lasting perfection requires precision, attention to detail, and, most importantly, exceptional makeup application skills.

Kayla King's Beauty Routine

For King, Fenty Beauty is her go-to brand. "A few of my game-day makeup essentials would be all of my Fenty products that I was so thankful to receive from a shopping spree from Ulta," King says. For her base, she starts with the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation ($40) and Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Longwear Liquid Concealer ($30). "I use both the foundation and concealer [because it] does not leave me feeling cakey during the lengthy games, and it matches my skin perfectly."

For the lashes, she swears by the brand's Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara ($19). "It's very long-lasting and it makes my natural lashes resemble the falsies look," she says. To tie her look together, she swears by the Diamond Bomb All-Over Highlighter ($42) in the shade "Rosé Rave."

Serenity Bagley's Beauty Routine

Toussaint's must-have game-day essentials outside of her base products are the Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo ($20) and Blush Duo ($16), followed by the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Glow Skinstick ($32) to get a glow that can be seen across the field.

Khailee Chretien's Beauty Routine

Chretien's routine starts with E.l.f.'s Power Grip Primer ($10) to ensure her look lasts all night long. After filling in her eyebrows and concealing them, she moves to Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation ($40) and finishes her base with a Juvia's Place Blushed Duo ($16) to add color. She sets her face with Laura Mercier's Translucent Setting Powder ($47) to bake and does her eyeliner and mascara before adding her falsies.

To top it all off, she enhances the beauty mark above her lip using the E.l.f. Expert Liquid Liner ($3) in black. And with that, they're ready to strut onto the field.

Stixx Mathews is a New York City-based freelance beauty writer with 11 years of experience who is passionate about telling stories that merge beauty and pop culture. He enjoys sharing his expert insights about the latest trends and must-have products, with a particular focus on lipstick and fragrance.