| General Stage Make-Up Tips Here are some basics stage make-up tips: 1. To keep your face looking its best, don't forget to clean it! After the event is over, wash all stage make-up from your body. Treat yourself to a facial! There are some great ones that can be made at home, or bought. Pay attention to your skin, and how it reacts to different types of make-up and cleansers. Then you can choose what works best for you. 2. Always blend down past the neck, including the shoulders. If the face is the only part that is treated, the rest of the skin can look rather odd. And don't forget the sides of the neck, or the back of the neck, if it can be seen. Another over looked part is the ears--they need to be the same color as the rest of the face! 3. Most experts will tell you to choose a foundation that is two shades darker than what the dancer uses normally. Stage-lights seem to wash color right off the face. I recommend foundation that doesn't bleed when you sweat! Those lights can get very hot! Right now it is popular to put glitter over the foundation----Giving a very glamorous look. 4. Invest in some lip lacquer. Lip lacquer seals on your lipstick. This prevents you from losing your lipstick before you get on stage, and it helps keep you from smearing lipstick inadvertently on your costume. 5. Getting the right make-up brushes is important too! Often the ones included in with the make-up are not well made, or even in the right shape to give you the make-ups best benefits! You don't need an expensive brush set--I have found some nice ones at local dollar stores, that have worked wonders! |
| EGYPTIAN EYES One of the most favorite looks of Mid-Eastern Dancers is "Egyptian Eyes." Usually this is with done with black eye liner on the top and bottom lids extending out past the outer corner of the eyes, on to the sides of the face. This can make the dancer look like a racoon under stagelights! One remedy is to take some white eyeliner and go on top of the black eyeliner with a thin white line--this will break up the black under the lights. A good example of this technique is in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", when Donnie Osmand is dressed as an Egyptian. Another remedy was given to me by a beautiful dancer in Tulsa, Oklahoma (I wish I knew her name, so I could give her credit here!) She places silver eyeliner above the black on the top lid. The metellic silver then catches the light, and keeps the black from being over powering. She stated that any type of glitter or metallic will help, but silver seems to work the best. BE-JEWELED Body Piercing is at it's most popular, but sometimes you want an effect that can be removed after the show! One way to have that jeweled look without the permanence is by purchasing eyelash glue, and using it to fix small rhinestones to your body! Rhinestones can be bought at any craft store, and come in many, many different colors, sizes, and shapes. Choose an area that is relatively smooth, and doesn't move too much. The forehead is perfect for this! Wash and dry the area well, then place a drop of the eyelash glue on the rhinestone and hold it on the selected area for 30 seconds. Gently remove your finger, and allow to dry completely. Now, jewels with glue already on them can be purchased. When the glue is worn away, just use the eyelash glue. These jewels can be bought at beauty supply stores or where they sell general cosmetics. BODY ART Body art can add a wonderful statement to your dance and costume. Temporary tattoos are a great way to go. To make the tattoos last longer, choose an area that doesn't bend or move much. Wash and dry it completely. Apply the tattoo according to the directions. Once the tattoo is applied, and has dried, you can decorate it with body paint, glitter, or even gently touch it up with liquid eyeliner. When you are finished with the body art, gently dust a fine layer of baby powder over the area. This will help it set, and absorb moisture to keep the art lasting longer--you can even do it with henna art, once the henna is dry. If you are artistic, you can draw on your body art with eyeliner and other usual make-up products. Stencils may also be used, as well as stamps! Most beauty supply stores sell ink that may be used on the skin (it is not recommended that you use regular inks). Just remember that baby powder dusting to make it long lasting! |