New Pointe Shoe Glue
I received this message in the Q&A recently:
I see you have a ton of great information on pointe shoe care, but did you know that top ballet companies like New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest, Boston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and others use Hot Stuff glue to make their… Continue reading
How to Dye Pointe Shoes
Tegan wrote:
I want to dye my pointe shoes to match my new red tutu, but I'm scared! Will the dye make my pointe shoes go soft? What kind of dye do I use? Help!
Answer:
You do have to be careful when dying your pointe shoes, because if you… Continue reading
Jet Glue
Often, the box and platform are the first parts of your pointe shoe to "give". Applying Jet Glue to the shank and inside (never outside) of the box and can prolong the life of your shoes, if they're otherwise still in good shape.
You could try using any old glue,… Continue reading
Are My Pointe Shoes Dead?
Pointe shoes are expensive, so naturally we want them to last as long as possible. But it can be dangerous to keep dancing on shoes that are "dead". Here are some pointers on what to look for:
The clip below gives a good illustration of "knuckling" in action.
Dancers are… Continue reading
How to Make Your Pointe Shoes Last Longer
All pointe shoes have a limited life. Even Gaynor Mindens will eventually die! As for conventional pointe shoes, they can have a very limited life indeed - for professionals, it can be as short as one performance. However, there are ways to make your pointe shoes last longer.
Moisture -… Continue reading
Shoe Make-Up, Pancake and Calamine
Many people think these products are used to clean pointe shoes, but that's not strictly true. They will disguise dirt and scuffs slightly - but be warned, they also take all the shine off your shoes. And that's because that's exactly what they're for - to create a matte finish… Continue reading
How to Clean Pointe Shoes
Unless you have Gaynor Mindens, water is your pointe shoes' enemy! Pointe shoes are made of glue and paste - water will dissolve the glue and turn your blocks into papier mache. Never, ever wash your pointe shoes! Washing the ribbons in soapy water can really freshen up your shoes,… Continue reading
Pointe Shoe Covers
Sansha
One day, someone will invent pointe shoes that are cleanable. Until then, there's really no way to preserve your pointe shoes in their original, pristine, pink satin sheen.
You can delay the inevitable by covering your pointe shoes whenever possible.
The easiest way is to buy proper pointe shoe… Continue reading
