I have said more than once that one of the toughest things I have ever done is to remove all my make up.
This includes tugging off the eyelashes and getting all of my waterproof gel eye-liner and mascara off my face.
Removing the War Paint is equally important to putting it on. Please don't skip this step.
Obviously, you need a good face wash, make-up remover and moisturizer.
I'll get brand specific again, only because these products have worked wonders for me and don't leave me picking black goo out of the corners of my eyes in the morning.
Pond's Cold Cream- After more than 150 years in business, it's a trusted brand for a reason... It has not let me down, and gets 90% of the War Paint off in one shot...(Including RED lipstick)
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly- Another age old company. It gets all the gunk off my eyes, out of my lashes and brows, including eyelash glue.
(I know that there are the old wives tales about it making wrinkles... Pssh, I use it to remove and the follow with a wash)
Cetaphil Face Wash - I follow all of that washing with a clean wash cloth and Cetaphil... Which has got to be one of the gentlest washes.
Pat dry and follow with your moisturizer.
There is one more thing that I do use. Because of wearing contacts and of course my lenses are out when doing all this rubbing and scrubbing.. I do tend to sometimes wind up with very irritated eyes post-show.
I use Bausch and Lomb Soothe Lubricant Eye Drops.
So, that's it.... The Painting of War.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Painting of War (part 3)
We've now got our tools and canvas ready to go, now comes time for coloring.
But, since you are all sitting here with your faces ready to go and just gorgeous..... What's next?
Color of course.
Now, stage make up is NOT the same as your daily make up. It should be bold, vibrant and yes, over the top. To paraphrase Princess Farhana (who, is getting ready to start a make-up video... I can't wait) "It's somewhere between Hooker and Drag Queen"
She is very right about this. She is right because there are a few things to remember about stage face.
Camera flashes, foot lights, overhead stage lighting and follow spots can completely wash you out. We don't always get to perform with "Mega Lighting", but, if you are in the habit of doing "Mega Make-Up", you won't have to worry about making it right should you find yourself performing in "Mega-Lighting".
I know you are itching to get the color on your face, but, I am going to point you to some reading and viewing.
Princess Farhana's Advice For gals with Hooded Eyes- Even if you don't have hoodies- This is a MUST READ. (please note, she has other great cosmetic tips... She's a make-up whore too)
MissChievous -Make Up Tutorials For all different great tips on make up. While these looks are great, don't forget to take them up and over the top for stage.
Now, I have to tell you, that without the two ladies mentioned above. My own stage make up wouldn't look like it does. They have both been a source of education and inspiration.
Now, I am not going to tell you what colors to use, that is totally up to you. Remember, if you think your make up is too much.... Walk away and come back and color it again and again. It is totally okay for your make up to be way over the top.
But, since you are all sitting here with your faces ready to go and just gorgeous..... What's next?
Color of course.
Now, stage make up is NOT the same as your daily make up. It should be bold, vibrant and yes, over the top. To paraphrase Princess Farhana (who, is getting ready to start a make-up video... I can't wait) "It's somewhere between Hooker and Drag Queen"
She is very right about this. She is right because there are a few things to remember about stage face.
Camera flashes, foot lights, overhead stage lighting and follow spots can completely wash you out. We don't always get to perform with "Mega Lighting", but, if you are in the habit of doing "Mega Make-Up", you won't have to worry about making it right should you find yourself performing in "Mega-Lighting".
I know you are itching to get the color on your face, but, I am going to point you to some reading and viewing.
Princess Farhana's Advice For gals with Hooded Eyes- Even if you don't have hoodies- This is a MUST READ. (please note, she has other great cosmetic tips... She's a make-up whore too)
MissChievous -Make Up Tutorials For all different great tips on make up. While these looks are great, don't forget to take them up and over the top for stage.
Now, I have to tell you, that without the two ladies mentioned above. My own stage make up wouldn't look like it does. They have both been a source of education and inspiration.
Now, I am not going to tell you what colors to use, that is totally up to you. Remember, if you think your make up is too much.... Walk away and come back and color it again and again. It is totally okay for your make up to be way over the top.
The Painting of War (part 2)
Here we go gang, now is the time where we begin prepping the canvas to begin our painting.
You've got your brushes and your vanity area is well lit, you've got your mirrors together.
Get your magnifying mirror, because we are about to get very frank. Take a good look at your reflection. I'm going to skip past fine lines and wrinkles, we are even going to skip blemishes and zits.... For now.
We are going to talk about facial hair. Yep, I am talking about the dark or light wiry hairs.
You have two choices here.
Live with them, as many of my friends do, quite happily and with much confidence.
OR
Remove them. If you choose to remove them, I recommend having a professional give you a hand. IF you have a friend who is brave or sadistic enough to not mind you swearing, crying as they tweeze or rip the hair from your face, you can go that route too.
DO NOT, IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS SHAVE THESE HAIRS!!
For some reason, shaving these hairs tends to encourage these little buggers to multiply -- Like Rabbits!
Once you have made your own choice regarding the wearing or not of facial hair. The next place to looSk, is your eyebrows.
We all know that the eyes are the windows to your soul... That makes your eyebrows the Window Panes, may as well make them look nice.
This is another spot where I will recommend that you have a professional help you get the best shape for your brows. Once they are done, you can maintain them fairly easily on your own or with the help of the same sadistic friend who likes pulling the hair out of your face.
(Just remember, if your sadistic friend pulls your hair out, turn about is fair play, giving you a great option for revenge)
When all the irritation goes down, take a look at your new face.
Now, we are ready to really prep the canvas.
Here are the things that you will need to prep the canvas:
Moisturizer
Face Primer
Concealer
Foundation
Eye Primer
Lip Primer
Give your face a good washing and moisturize.
Have a seat at your vanity table and flip on those lights.. Give your clean skin a good once over visually. When your moisturizer has soaked in put on your whole face primer. (Read the directions, some face primers state quite plainly to avoid certain areas like eyes and lips -- I don't recommend that you risk this. Besides, you have eye and lip primer to use)
Time to conceal. This means using those pink, green and yellow correctors. Each once does a certain job, so make sure you are using the correct color for the job.
Use the concealer brush to apply the concealers and hide all the sins of the skin.
Now you can begin with the foundation. Using the foundation brush, paint on your foundation. The brush will help you get all the areas of your face smooth and covered. It's very okay for you to pull your foundation down under your chin and down the neck.
Follow with your eye and lip primers.
Now, the canvas is ready to receive color.
The primers under your foundation, eye and lip colors will help your make up sit on your face rather than filling in all the fine lines, wrinkles or sinking into your skin. You will look so much more flawless and smooth in the face.
You've got your brushes and your vanity area is well lit, you've got your mirrors together.
Get your magnifying mirror, because we are about to get very frank. Take a good look at your reflection. I'm going to skip past fine lines and wrinkles, we are even going to skip blemishes and zits.... For now.
We are going to talk about facial hair. Yep, I am talking about the dark or light wiry hairs.
You have two choices here.
Live with them, as many of my friends do, quite happily and with much confidence.
OR
Remove them. If you choose to remove them, I recommend having a professional give you a hand. IF you have a friend who is brave or sadistic enough to not mind you swearing, crying as they tweeze or rip the hair from your face, you can go that route too.
DO NOT, IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS SHAVE THESE HAIRS!!
For some reason, shaving these hairs tends to encourage these little buggers to multiply -- Like Rabbits!
Once you have made your own choice regarding the wearing or not of facial hair. The next place to looSk, is your eyebrows.
We all know that the eyes are the windows to your soul... That makes your eyebrows the Window Panes, may as well make them look nice.
This is another spot where I will recommend that you have a professional help you get the best shape for your brows. Once they are done, you can maintain them fairly easily on your own or with the help of the same sadistic friend who likes pulling the hair out of your face.
(Just remember, if your sadistic friend pulls your hair out, turn about is fair play, giving you a great option for revenge)
When all the irritation goes down, take a look at your new face.
Now, we are ready to really prep the canvas.
Here are the things that you will need to prep the canvas:
Moisturizer
Face Primer
Concealer
Foundation
Eye Primer
Lip Primer
Give your face a good washing and moisturize.
Have a seat at your vanity table and flip on those lights.. Give your clean skin a good once over visually. When your moisturizer has soaked in put on your whole face primer. (Read the directions, some face primers state quite plainly to avoid certain areas like eyes and lips -- I don't recommend that you risk this. Besides, you have eye and lip primer to use)
Time to conceal. This means using those pink, green and yellow correctors. Each once does a certain job, so make sure you are using the correct color for the job.
Use the concealer brush to apply the concealers and hide all the sins of the skin.
Now you can begin with the foundation. Using the foundation brush, paint on your foundation. The brush will help you get all the areas of your face smooth and covered. It's very okay for you to pull your foundation down under your chin and down the neck.
Follow with your eye and lip primers.
Now, the canvas is ready to receive color.
The primers under your foundation, eye and lip colors will help your make up sit on your face rather than filling in all the fine lines, wrinkles or sinking into your skin. You will look so much more flawless and smooth in the face.
The Painting of the War (part1)
Happy Easter, everyone!!
I've had a lot of questions and comments regarding my performance make up.
I thought I would help take some of the mystery out of how I do it. So, I am going to do this as a series of posts.
Being a self-confessed make-up whore, there is no single brand that I use on my skin. Instead, there is a lot of mish-mash. All depending on how my skin has reacted to things. (I tend to have sensitive skin and I wear contacts, which, right there means that I have had to try different brands to make sure both my skin and my eyes agree with the kind of goop I am putting on them)
That out of the way, I figured I would start the series the same way that an artist would. Afterall, they don't make works of art right from the middle. They have to gather up the tools and prep the canvas first. Cosmetic application is very much the same. Your face is the canvas.
So, let's start with just tools:
Invest in Brushes, for everything!
Concealer
Foundation
Blush
Loose Powder
Eye shadow brushes of EVERY shape that is made, from angled to fan brushes.
Eyeliner
Eyebrow
Lip Brushes
Tweezers
Mirror(s) (Standard and Magnified)
Truthfully, you will want nice brushes, they don't have to be natural haired they can be synthetic. In my opinion you would want good quality synthetics. The kind that feel soft to the touch.
Once you have your army of brushes, the next thing you will truly want is a good soap to clean them with. Even if you haven't spent a fortune on them, might as well take good care of your tools.
(I'll get a bit brand specific here- I use Dr Bonner's Soap. The Baby Formula for mine. )
Your next trusty tool is tape.... Yes, Tape.... Scotch Tape... Be cautious if you have sensitivities to adhesives, since they are going on your face. You may have to do some experimenting here, but, once you find a tape that works for you, STICK WITH IT!!! (pun intended)
Not that you have collected your tools. The next thing you really want to look at is your workspace.
Personally, I find it a shame that Vanity Tables have gone the way of other antiques. Because truthfully, you may find that your new tools and other items may crowd your bathroom, unless you are blessed with large counter space.
IF you happen to have the space for it, make yourself a vanity area, this will help you prepare yourself for the Painting of War. If you are a bit tight on space, get a little creative and you can make one that is easy to set up and take down.
Lighting is very important for putting on the face. Even if you are getting ready in the bathroom, you are going to want to take a trip to Home Depot and get yourself some true color light bulbs.
Okay, we are just about ready to get started with the prepping the canvas portion. But, you should now have the most basic of all tools needed.
I've had a lot of questions and comments regarding my performance make up.
I thought I would help take some of the mystery out of how I do it. So, I am going to do this as a series of posts.
Being a self-confessed make-up whore, there is no single brand that I use on my skin. Instead, there is a lot of mish-mash. All depending on how my skin has reacted to things. (I tend to have sensitive skin and I wear contacts, which, right there means that I have had to try different brands to make sure both my skin and my eyes agree with the kind of goop I am putting on them)
That out of the way, I figured I would start the series the same way that an artist would. Afterall, they don't make works of art right from the middle. They have to gather up the tools and prep the canvas first. Cosmetic application is very much the same. Your face is the canvas.
So, let's start with just tools:
Invest in Brushes, for everything!
Concealer
Foundation
Blush
Loose Powder
Eye shadow brushes of EVERY shape that is made, from angled to fan brushes.
Eyeliner
Eyebrow
Lip Brushes
Tweezers
Mirror(s) (Standard and Magnified)
Truthfully, you will want nice brushes, they don't have to be natural haired they can be synthetic. In my opinion you would want good quality synthetics. The kind that feel soft to the touch.
Once you have your army of brushes, the next thing you will truly want is a good soap to clean them with. Even if you haven't spent a fortune on them, might as well take good care of your tools.
(I'll get a bit brand specific here- I use Dr Bonner's Soap. The Baby Formula for mine. )
Your next trusty tool is tape.... Yes, Tape.... Scotch Tape... Be cautious if you have sensitivities to adhesives, since they are going on your face. You may have to do some experimenting here, but, once you find a tape that works for you, STICK WITH IT!!! (pun intended)
Not that you have collected your tools. The next thing you really want to look at is your workspace.
Personally, I find it a shame that Vanity Tables have gone the way of other antiques. Because truthfully, you may find that your new tools and other items may crowd your bathroom, unless you are blessed with large counter space.
IF you happen to have the space for it, make yourself a vanity area, this will help you prepare yourself for the Painting of War. If you are a bit tight on space, get a little creative and you can make one that is easy to set up and take down.
Lighting is very important for putting on the face. Even if you are getting ready in the bathroom, you are going to want to take a trip to Home Depot and get yourself some true color light bulbs.
Okay, we are just about ready to get started with the prepping the canvas portion. But, you should now have the most basic of all tools needed.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Ever wonder...
Who else I am reading?
There are a couple dancers whose blogs I follow.
If you are curious to know what is in the mind of Tempest
You can find her blog here:
http://darklydramatic.blogspot.com/
However, before you go thinking that it only has to do with The Goth Bellydance Scene.... It doesn't. She covers far more than just the one scene in her blog. Be prepared to be both surprised and amazed as she covers many aspects of dance and how we can shoot ourselves in the feet.
Another writer/dancer I follow is the Legendary Princess Farhana.
You can find her blog here:
http://princessraqs.blogspot.com/
Following her is always a treat. She covers many other aspects of performing and has a wealth of advice and information on how to make the most of the world around us. I am (like many others) following her Thinking Girls Guide To Belly Dance Styles. However, this blog is totally worth going back into the archives and seeing what else is hiding in the treasure trove!
One more for your perusal, is Nyla Crystal.
You can find her here:
http://www.bellydancebrilliance.com/
Once again, totally worth the time to read. She covers all kinds of things about dance here. Including, comic relief.
Truthfully, all the dancers I follow in blog land (and I am finding more blogs constantly), are worth the time to read. It's great insight into the minds of some incredibly talented women and for me, far more fun than scouring YouTube.
Should you stumble onto someone whom you think would be a great addition to my reading, I would greatly appreciate a link.
Happy Reading!
There are a couple dancers whose blogs I follow.
If you are curious to know what is in the mind of Tempest
You can find her blog here:
http://darklydramatic.blogspot.com/
However, before you go thinking that it only has to do with The Goth Bellydance Scene.... It doesn't. She covers far more than just the one scene in her blog. Be prepared to be both surprised and amazed as she covers many aspects of dance and how we can shoot ourselves in the feet.
Another writer/dancer I follow is the Legendary Princess Farhana.
You can find her blog here:
http://princessraqs.blogspot.com/
Following her is always a treat. She covers many other aspects of performing and has a wealth of advice and information on how to make the most of the world around us. I am (like many others) following her Thinking Girls Guide To Belly Dance Styles. However, this blog is totally worth going back into the archives and seeing what else is hiding in the treasure trove!
One more for your perusal, is Nyla Crystal.
You can find her here:
http://www.bellydancebrilliance.com/
Once again, totally worth the time to read. She covers all kinds of things about dance here. Including, comic relief.
Truthfully, all the dancers I follow in blog land (and I am finding more blogs constantly), are worth the time to read. It's great insight into the minds of some incredibly talented women and for me, far more fun than scouring YouTube.
Should you stumble onto someone whom you think would be a great addition to my reading, I would greatly appreciate a link.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Costuming for yourself.
I began costuming for myself when I started getting serious about actually performing.
It started because I couldn't afford to purchase the costumes that are made on the mass market.
Especially, since when I started, finding anything in a plus size was a nightmare.
I was determined to find a way to learn to make affordable costumes.. Something that wouldn't kill my budget.
Since I am a thrift store queen, I learned quickly that it would be much cheaper to purchase a used prom dress and recycle/re-purpose as much as possible.
From there, I learned how to butcher up a bra and recycle blue jeans to make belt bases.
It has been both heartbreaking and rewarding to make a costume for myself.
Heartbreaking, because when my body changed, I was looking at pieces with 40 to 80 hoursof work, that I would be unable to alter.
Rewarding, because I was able to say, "I made it."
Some of my designs have been pretty wild and even the places I look for embellishments have been a bit off-beat. After all, who would have considered that the local hardware store would be my best place to find unusual things?
I've also been smart enough to utilize websites for tips on "don't do that" or "hey, that's a good idea"
Thanks to The Ugly Costume Goddess. Where one can find really, truly hideous costumes or good ideas. It's taught me to try my hardest to avoid mistakes, like leaving too much evidence of the base materials, over or under done embellishments.
I've also learned to trust my drawing skills a little more. It's funny to look back at some of my early doodles, that literally were stick figures with colored things on them. I am still not the best at drawing. But, I can now get the basic concept across if I show the doodle to a friend.
Dancing has taught me more about how creative I can be and not just with movement. But, with drawing, coloring, sewing and much, much more.
I find ideas for costumes, everywhere I look... From the common household trash bags to wildlife and flowers.
It started because I couldn't afford to purchase the costumes that are made on the mass market.
Especially, since when I started, finding anything in a plus size was a nightmare.
I was determined to find a way to learn to make affordable costumes.. Something that wouldn't kill my budget.
Since I am a thrift store queen, I learned quickly that it would be much cheaper to purchase a used prom dress and recycle/re-purpose as much as possible.
From there, I learned how to butcher up a bra and recycle blue jeans to make belt bases.
It has been both heartbreaking and rewarding to make a costume for myself.
Heartbreaking, because when my body changed, I was looking at pieces with 40 to 80 hoursof work, that I would be unable to alter.
Rewarding, because I was able to say, "I made it."
Some of my designs have been pretty wild and even the places I look for embellishments have been a bit off-beat. After all, who would have considered that the local hardware store would be my best place to find unusual things?
I've also been smart enough to utilize websites for tips on "don't do that" or "hey, that's a good idea"
Thanks to The Ugly Costume Goddess. Where one can find really, truly hideous costumes or good ideas. It's taught me to try my hardest to avoid mistakes, like leaving too much evidence of the base materials, over or under done embellishments.
I've also learned to trust my drawing skills a little more. It's funny to look back at some of my early doodles, that literally were stick figures with colored things on them. I am still not the best at drawing. But, I can now get the basic concept across if I show the doodle to a friend.
Dancing has taught me more about how creative I can be and not just with movement. But, with drawing, coloring, sewing and much, much more.
I find ideas for costumes, everywhere I look... From the common household trash bags to wildlife and flowers.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Exploration
Apparently 2011, is going to be the year for revisiting and further exploration of pieces I have already done.
It started at the beginning of March and the simple fact that I had missed a date loading my calendar.
This meant, that I needed a piece of music quickly... no time to dink around with something new.
So, where best to go than to the "show music" file in the MP3 Player.
(Yes, I do move the music to that file, just so I can keep track of what I have done in the past).
I selected a piece I was comfortable with one that I liked and had fun with originally.
This was found to be a very satisfying experience. I had lots of fun.. More fun than I did the first time.
Orient Express will be the same for me.. I will be taking out a bit of music that I have used before, had fun with the first time... and taking it for a spin around the block.
April Casbah- is getting a new piece of music... One I have yet to test beyond the practice time I have given it.
I'm looking forward to working this way and seeing what kind of fun I can have.
It started at the beginning of March and the simple fact that I had missed a date loading my calendar.
This meant, that I needed a piece of music quickly... no time to dink around with something new.
So, where best to go than to the "show music" file in the MP3 Player.
(Yes, I do move the music to that file, just so I can keep track of what I have done in the past).
I selected a piece I was comfortable with one that I liked and had fun with originally.
This was found to be a very satisfying experience. I had lots of fun.. More fun than I did the first time.
Orient Express will be the same for me.. I will be taking out a bit of music that I have used before, had fun with the first time... and taking it for a spin around the block.
April Casbah- is getting a new piece of music... One I have yet to test beyond the practice time I have given it.
I'm looking forward to working this way and seeing what kind of fun I can have.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The innocence of youth
As I promised...
It's time to go over the great things that young dancers bring into the family.
While we older dancers are long past the innocence of youth. We get reminders by the constant influx of young dancers and what they bring.
One of the biggest things that they bring is the wide-eyed wonder at the world they have just waltzed into.
Everything to them, is shiny and new.. overwhelming even. We watch them hungrily gobble up music, costumes, styles, videos and inspiration... all done with the kind of gusto that only a starving soul can bring.
It's all done at a maddening pace.
So much so, that we often get caught up in the excitement again with them. It's infectious.
They bring a kind of silliness with them too, where they are pairing strange music and movements that many seasoned dancer might frown on... pairing 9/8 music with 4/4 steps.
All too often, the seasoned dancer gets caught up in the criticism of it.... and forgets that for the younger dancer this is the equivalent of a baby finding their toes for the first time.
We forget that they will grow out of this odd pairing as they gain more experience.
Watching a young dancer, who is so excited for this new thing they have found... Should be reminding us that we were that way too... no matter how long ago.
Some of us watch them patiently stumble and fall on the road to finding their own niche in this vast community.
We desperately need to remember that we did too... We weren't always so good at selecting music, costumes or even putting on enough make up.
When it comes to watching my younger "sisters" perform. I prefer to sit back with no judgment and watch her explore and experiment with this new form of expression.
I understand when they are all wound up before a show or other event.. just bubbling over with excitement and trepidation.
There is so much that we can learn from the most inexperienced of dancers... Just sit back and watch next time. Let go of all your expectations for her and watch her blossom. It's amazing.
It's time to go over the great things that young dancers bring into the family.
While we older dancers are long past the innocence of youth. We get reminders by the constant influx of young dancers and what they bring.
One of the biggest things that they bring is the wide-eyed wonder at the world they have just waltzed into.
Everything to them, is shiny and new.. overwhelming even. We watch them hungrily gobble up music, costumes, styles, videos and inspiration... all done with the kind of gusto that only a starving soul can bring.
It's all done at a maddening pace.
So much so, that we often get caught up in the excitement again with them. It's infectious.
They bring a kind of silliness with them too, where they are pairing strange music and movements that many seasoned dancer might frown on... pairing 9/8 music with 4/4 steps.
All too often, the seasoned dancer gets caught up in the criticism of it.... and forgets that for the younger dancer this is the equivalent of a baby finding their toes for the first time.
We forget that they will grow out of this odd pairing as they gain more experience.
Watching a young dancer, who is so excited for this new thing they have found... Should be reminding us that we were that way too... no matter how long ago.
Some of us watch them patiently stumble and fall on the road to finding their own niche in this vast community.
We desperately need to remember that we did too... We weren't always so good at selecting music, costumes or even putting on enough make up.
When it comes to watching my younger "sisters" perform. I prefer to sit back with no judgment and watch her explore and experiment with this new form of expression.
I understand when they are all wound up before a show or other event.. just bubbling over with excitement and trepidation.
There is so much that we can learn from the most inexperienced of dancers... Just sit back and watch next time. Let go of all your expectations for her and watch her blossom. It's amazing.
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