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Misc. Tips

Rhinestones can be most conveniently glued to your face with eyelash glue. Use the clear kind instead of the white kind in a tube, because though the white kind dries clear it will go white again when you sweat. You can also glue rhinestones to your belly and legs for interesting effects. Bindis can be reused same way.

Colored arm bands that match your costume bra make your bust look larger because they carry the color out to the side. Important to remember if you are a narrow topped person that wants to wear gauntlets (which carry the color down and make you look narrower).

Make your nails look longer by making a stripe of a darker color down the length of the center.

Cheap costume jewelry that your skin reacts to can be painted with clear nail polish to protect your skin.

If you have a hanging belly, do consider wearing a body stocking. Not because there is anything wrong with you, but because it prevents distracting your audience with your tummy -- people can be kind of weird about that stuff. A cheap way to make them is to Get tights or panty hose (Sheer Energy and most exercise/dance tights don't run if you simply cut them), cut the top off right at the crotch so you have a legless tube (throw away the legs) and sew the leg edge of the panty hose tube to a pair of bikini underwear with a zigzag stitch so it stretches. When you want to wear it just pull it on like it is extra tall underwear and pin it through the waistband to the inside of your top/costume bra. There are lots of colors and patterns available to try, including fishnet and specialty stockings, but some of the specialty ones are more prone to running. If this doesn't make sense to you, email me at saqra@saqra.net for directions -- then I'll know I have to put better directions here!

Wearing a headband or hair ornament of the same color as your costume tends to make you look taller.

Wearing a cover-up garment over your costume when you are not performing really is the best etiquette and preserves the mystique of your costume.

If you are a woman at a gig, do not ever allow any man to walk you to your car alone at night -- even someone you are acquainted with like the bartender, restaurant owner, or band. Always walk out with two women or one woman and one man. Just take my word and the word of many dancers for it. Make no exceptions. Protect each other.

        

      

Costuming & Makeup

Costuming

 

Headpieces

Crowns

Beautiful jeweled crowns are an absolute must for any cabaret costume. 

Turbans

Turbans are an essential item for the tribal and folk dancer.

Headbands

When a crown or a turban just won't do a headband can be a wonderful alternative. 

Hats and Other Head Coverings

Snoods, Fez's, Tiaras, Hijab, etc...

Shirts, Bra’s, & Vests

Shirts

Not everyone needs to wear a jeweled or coin bra! In its place wear a shirt. Whether you wear a choli, ghawazee shirt, peasant shirt, or a shirt filled with beads and/or coins; you can be stunning.

Bras

Beads, Jewels, Coins, Velvet, and anything else that looks pretty you can put on a bra. 

Vests

Vests can compliment many types of costumes and can be a nice way to change its look.

Skirts & Pants

Skirts

Circle skirts, flounced skirts, gored skirts, panel skirts, straight skirts, mermaid skirts, etc.

Pants

Harem pants have many variations and go with anything.

Belts

Cabaret

Beads, sequins, mirrors, and anything else that sparkles under the spotlight is used in these belts.

Tribal

Fringe, tassels, coins... all the findings you can imagine can end up on these belts

Dresses

Thobes

Thobes are a must have for any dancer. These dresses are used for dances from the gulf area.

Beledi Dresses

No dancer should be without at least one Beledi dress, they are so versatile.

Ethnic Dresses

Sometimes it's nice to wear Ethnic dresses. Whether you’re lounging around or dancing in them. Some are very beautiful while some are plain. 

Cabaret Dresses

Beautiful jeweled and beaded dresses cover more skin but show every move beautifully.

Jewelry

Necklaces

Necklaces are a beautiful addition to a costume. They add color and personal style.

Earrings

Earrings complete the costume. When you pull your hair up doing a nice shimmy, you show off your beautiful sparkly earrings.

Armbands

Armbands draw color out to the rest of your arm and add a nice touch to many costumes.

Bracelets and Cuffs

Bracelets and cuffs bring color all the way to the ends of the arms and can balance a costume out. 

Anklets

An anklet can add a little color to your feet when they peek out from underneath your skirt. Some even add a nice sound while you dance.

Belly Chains

If you want an extra accent a belly chain can do it.

Tribal Add-On's

From tassels to charms you can make them a part of your costume.

Veils

Rectangular

This is one of the most simple costume pieces to make. The tricky part is weighting it; even that can be made simple though.

Circular

Circular veils are a little harder to make then a rectangular veil but are beautiful to use.

Shoes

Sandals

Sandals are great for outdoor, tribal, or stage dancing

Ballet Slippers

For those of us who don’t like dancing barefoot but still like a lot of freedom of movement with the feet, ballet slippers are a good buy.

Chinese Slippers

These shoes are wonderful for Renaissance Festivals, they can often be washed, are comfortable enough for walking and dancing in and simple enough not to be "out" of period.

Aladdin Slippers

These are wonderful shoes for male or female dancers and can add that "I dream of Jennie" ambiance to your ensemble.

Shoes from India

The beautiful shoes that come from India can make a nice accent to your costume if you don't want to dance barefoot.

High Heels

Need an excuse to buy an extra "flashy" pair of heels? Here it is!

 

Dance Makeup

By: Merryn

 

Makeup of stage should be much more dramatic than everyday normal wear. Remember, you have put a lot of work into your costumes, creating your image as the mysterious dancer.... doesn't your face deserve as much? Keep in mind that the typical stage will have you at somewhat of a distance from your audience, lighting will often be dim and your picture will almost definitely be taken.

Eyes

This is perhaps, the most important feature we have as dancers. Waterproof, liquid eyeliner works best. It stays on better and shows at a distance much better than the pencil kind. I always line the bottom lid first, then the top.

When in Tribal costume, it's best to keep shadows in neutral, earthy tones, still in darker shades than normal daytime wear. Bright colors are fine for  cabaret costumes, however take are not to look garish by matching the lavender veil with the shadow, etc.

Lips

Should almost always be done dark as well. Neutral 'true reds' work on everyone, stay on better than most other colors and will look pretty in photographs.

Bindi's

If you are going to be wearing a bindi, it's best to skip foundation and powder over the area as bindis stick much better to clean dry skin.

Eyeliner

Liquid eyeliner works best for the tribal markings, it will take practice, but the polished look you will achieve is well worth it.

Brows

If you are going for a full Tribal look complete with a turban, and you have light colored hair, it's always best to darken the brows.

Lashes 

If you want to give false eyelashes a go, try them at home first for a few hours.  I made the mistake of trying them for the first time without practice and was miserable.

 
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