If you've ever walked into a dance store and been completely overwhelmed (Canvas or leather? Split sole or full sole? What size? What width? Ahhhh!!) fret not more! this episode is for you. ☺️

In this episode, I'm diving deep into everything you need to know about buying ballet slippers as an adult dancer. Whether you're brand new or you've been dancing for years and still haven't found your perfect shoe, this one covers it all.

In this episode:
- Canvas vs. leather: the key differences and when each makes sense
- Split sole vs. full sole: what teachers recommend and why it matters for your level
- How to choose the right color for a long leg line
- The truth about ballet slipper sizing (hint: it is NOT your street shoe size)
- How to determine your width and what to look for in a proper fit
- Recommendations by foot type: narrow, wide, high arch, flat feet, etc.
- My personal favorites!

👟 BRANDS MENTIONED + LINKS:
So Dança Bliss
Capezio Hanami
Bloch Performa
Gaynor Minden Liberty
ORZA Pro 2.0 | Use code AFTERCLASS5 for $5 off your order!
*A note on ORZA: This episode was created before Orza became a sponsor. My recommendation of the Pro 2.0 is entirely my own. I loved them so much that I reached out to ask if they'd like to partner with the show. The discount code is a perk that came after — the obsession came first. 😄

✨ EPISODE SPONSOR:
Frenchies Hairpins
The official brand for ballerinas who love a good hair moment! Shop premium hairpins and new luxury scrunchies in real silk and luxurious velvet.
https://frenchieshairpins.com | Code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off!

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

What does it take to bring ballet to a place where it doesn't exist yet? Today's guest, Lauren, found herself living in Islamabad, Pakistan — a city of over a million people with no ballet studio — and decided to build one herself.

In this episode, Lauren shares how a love story brought her from Fargo, North Dakota to the capital of Pakistan, and how her lifelong connection to ballet eventually led her to found the Islamabad School of Ballet. We talk about how she got started teaching out of a converted storage room, the seminar she put together to introduce ballet to an unfamiliar audience (and the overwhelming response she didn't expect), the logistical challenges of building a school without the infrastructure most of us take for granted, and how she navigated it all with creativity, persistence, and a willingness to start imperfectly.

We also talk about her school's very first performance — a 30-minute adaptation of Swan Lake — the moment her students stepped onstage, and the way ballet is transforming confidence in dancers who are discovering it for the very first time.

In this episode, we cover:

• Her non-linear ballet journey: from childhood classes in North Dakota to returning as an adult
• The spark that led her to start the Islamabad School of Ballet
• How she introduced ballet in a community where it doesn't really exist
• The logistical challenges of building a studio without existing infrastructure
• How word of mouth and Instagram grew the school to 45–50 students in less than a year!
• The school's first performance: a 30-minute adaptation of Swan Lake
• How ballet is impacting students who are discovering it for the first time
• How she adapted classical ballets to suit her students
• What she would tell anyone who wants to start something new but is held back by imposter syndrome
• How she's giving back through monthly donations to children's organizations in Pakistan

👉🏼 Connect with Lauren: @islamabadschoolofballet

✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:

ORZA - Ballet Slippers
Designed by a professional dancer, ORZA slippers feature patented shock-absorbing technology to help reduce fatigue, improve stamina, and prevent injuries.

Shop at orzabrand.com

Use code AFTERCLASS5 for $5 off your order!

LABL Active
Hosts of the 2026 Adult Ballet Retreat. Come dance with us in Seattle from June 21–26!
Learn more here: lablactive.com

Use code AFTERCLASS100 for $100 off your registration!

**The deadline to register is April 15th.

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

Makeup in ballet can feel a bit complicated as an adult dancer. Should you wear makeup to class at all? If you do, what actually works when you're sweating through a full barre? And when it comes to performing, what does it actually take to make your face read under bright stage lights and from a distance?

In this episode, I'm joined by Suzanne Jolie, my ballet teacher and one half of the creative duo behind Models Doing Ballet, to demystify ballet makeup for both class and the stage. Suzanne brings years of experience as a dancer, teacher, and theater professional, and she holds nothing back.

We cover class makeup first: the best lightweight formulas for sweaty studio conditions, how to even out redness or breakouts without looking cakey, and Suzanne's go-to product recommendations.

Then we dive into stage makeup: why it needs to be so much heavier than everyday makeup, the non-negotiables for a classic ballet stage look, the iconic ballerina eye technique, and Suzanne's secret weapon for making it all pop (hint: white "grease" pencil) 😉

💄Grab your Complete Stage Make Up Guide here: https://canva.link/zsrxuv9zy6j3x6a

In this episode, we cover:
- Is it normal to wear makeup to ballet class?
- The best class-friendly product swaps for face, lips, and eyes
- How to even out redness and breakouts without heavy coverage
- The non-negotiables for classic ballet stage makeup
- False lashes 101: how to fit, trim, apply, and reuse them
- How to scale your look for studio showcases vs. full theater productions
- How to remove stage makeup without wrecking your skin
- Why you should always practice your stage makeup before the big day

Whether you're heading to your first ballet class or stepping onto a stage for the very first time, this episode will leave you feeling prepared and confident!

👉🏼 Connect with Suzanne:
Instagram (personal): @suzannejolie
Instagram (Models Doing Ballet): @modelsdoingballet
Podcast: @whodithistoher_podcast

✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:
LABL Active
Hosts of the 2026 Adult Ballet Retreat. Come dance with us in Seattle from June 21–26!
Learn more here: lablactive.com
Use code AFTERCLASS100 for $100 off your registration!
The deadline to register is April 15th.

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com