FALLING INTO AUTUMN : A CHANGE OF SEASON CHECK LIST FOR DANCERS

On the eve  of the Autumn Equinox I  wish you a very  Happy First Day Of Fall!

 Even though it’s sunny and hot here in my native Los Angeles and doesn’t feel like autumn at all, every Solstice, I get the urge to prepare for the new season dance-wise. And for those of you in places where the weather actually changes according to the season, it’s even more imperative!

The first thing I do is go through my costume closet and take a look at everything to see what needs mending, alterations or some other kind of attention. I get out my sewing kit and re-do hooks and snaps,  repair any loose beads or dropped hems, and see if anything needs to be washed or dry cleaned.  I check my dance shoes to see if they need to be repaired or replaced, steam or iron my veils, and add new elastic to my finger cymbals, and replace the cedar chips in the air-tight boxes where I store my feather fans.

 Most of us have costumes that we wear less often during summer- like those with sleeves, more coverage, or stage creations hade of velvet…now’s the time to bust out those beauties, cause they’ll come in handy during these colder months.

 I also re-stock my gig bags and class bags with new supplies for the chilly season, adding a heavier cover-up  plus things that come in handy in drafty dance studios or back stage, like leg warmers and a light dance sweater or hoodie.  I make sure each gig bag includes a little emergency kit with bobby pins, safety pins, needles and thread, Band-Aids, feminine protection, pain reliever tablets, and stuff I blow through constantly, like breath mints, hair spray and body glitter.

 Fall is a great time to check your stage make up, too. This might not be pertinent for Goth chicks, but as the seasons change, your skin tone is probably changing, too!  The transition from being a sun-kissed, beach  babe to your non-summer complexion means that you’ll need to address your  skin products and foundation.

 Now is the time to get a slightly thicker moisturizer or serum to protect your skin from the cold and rain- might as well get a jump-start on it, right?  And you'll probably have to blend a couple of tones of foundation to get your “transitional” skin evened out. I usually take a clean new travel-sized container and mix the two colors directly into the container. Remember that for stage work, if your foundation is a shade or two darker than your actual skin tone, it won’t look odd; it’ll just make you appear healthy and robust.

 At the change of seasons, I also throw away any cosmetics that have run their course- especially items like mascara or creamy eye shadow or eye make up primer.   Because these are wet and can attract bacteria every time you use them, in order for these products to not potentially cause an infection, their life span is usually only three months, anyway. I date mine with a sharpie pen and get rid of them at the three-month mark.

  Right now is also a fantastic time to get a jump on your holiday season gigs, too!

Show producers and private parties begin booking for the holidays well before the end of October…because if they don’t, the prime days-  especially weekend nights  between Thanksgiving and the middle of December, will already be taken!

 Send out emails with descriptions of what shows and service you can offer during the holidays   now. Make the tone friendly and professional, and alert your previous clients as well as sending an email (or hard copy promotional package) to venues like nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, banquet halls and to individual event planners in your area.

Tune up your technique and  start making your warm-ups a little longer and more thorough; the cold weather can seize muscles  and some of us feel the damp in our joints, too.  Start setting choreographies  for your holiday gigs now… and take the next few weeks to  make sure that  your special  holiday costumes are either gig-ready, or  at least  that construction has started!

 If you teach, this is also a fantastic  time to contact the studio where you’re work- or where you’d like to work, to discuss class and workshop plans and time slots for 2015!

 And as of right now, it’s only a few days until October!  Can you believe it?  I sure as hell can’t!

 Now is also the time to practice saying NO…because in a couple of weeks, everyone and their baby sister are going to be hitting you up to borrow your expensive stage wear to use as Halloween costumes!

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MUST HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCTS: SPRING 2014 EDITION

 

Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes Mascara

Like all gals- and dancers specifically- I use a ton of make up on a regular basis, and in general, I just love to play with cosmetics.  High-end name brands or drugstore products- it doesn’t matter to me- there’s great stuff to be had in both categories, so I try to test-drive as many as I can. Every so often, I find some that are so great, I can’t believe I ever lived without them!

This is my Must Have list for Spring  2014.

 CARGO HD PICTURE PERFECT PRESSED POWDER

  I use this power regularly and I just love it!  It provides full coverage, without ever caking or creasing, and looks fabulous no matter how sweaty I get during shows or in the course of a long day, shooting a DVD. The make up never gets absorbed into my pores the way other mineral products do, either. I was introduced to it recently on a movie set. At first I thought   was just a nice face powder with a silky feel, but the make up artist who was working on my face explained that this product was created expressly for film, so that it would look natural under any sort of lighting!  Apparently the secret to this product is that it contains powder particle of different sizes that reflect light and erase imperfections, as well as photo-chromatic pigments that actually self-adjust to any sort of lighting. It doesn’t just work for film; it’s great for the stage, too! I’m hooked!

Available online at Cargo.com, Sephora, and many department stores.

E.L.F 12 PIECE ESSENTIAL PROFESSIONAL BRUSH SET

  Twelve brushes for around twelve bucks… are you @&#%$ kidding?  No, I’m not!  This is a gig bag essential, that can be found at almost any drug store.  The quality is amazing for the price, and the assortment of brushes are everything you’ll need to create an abundance of on-stage or off-stage looks. Included are a different eye brushes, a smudging sponge for blending shadow and liner, concealer brush, an angled bronzer brush, domed blush brush, a spoolie, a brow brush, etc. Get two sets and keep one in your dance bag!

Available at most drug stores or on line.

 MAC:  THE PLAYLAND COLLECTION

MAC Playland Collection

 If you read this blog regularly, you probably know that I’m a MAC whore…but even so, I don’t always adore everything they come out with. The Playland collection doesn’t disappoint- it’s utterly faboo!    The carnivalesque neon Brights are perfect for spring and summer, although   unless you’re Lady Ga Ga, you might not be too into the Playland collection's namesake, a lemon yellow lipstick.  

MAC Maleficent Collection

  Not to worry, there are five other pretty shades of corals and pinks. I like Red Balloon.  Aside from lipsticks, there are also four pigment colors, pencils, Lip Glass, and   three shades of Casual Colors, which do double duty for cheeks and lips. Even if you’re not as adventurous about your maquillage as I am, you’ll still find something here you’ll enjoy using…but check this collection out soon, some products have already sold out, the way they always do with special collections. 

And if you miss out on something you wanted in the Playland collection, there’s always this summer’s maleficent collection, collaboration with Disney to coincide with the release of the movie starring Angelina Jolie.  With eleven products including nail polish and marbled eye shadows, this is going to be a wicked treat!

Available online, at many department stores, and of course, at MAC stores.

GARNIER NUTRISSE SKIN RENEW BB CREAM

  I use this great product for my every day make up and have even used it onstage in smaller venues.   Even though BB creams have been around for a while, some gals still don't know what they are or haven’t tried them.

 “BB” stands for Beauty Balm; they’re multi-purpose products that are designed to color, protect and perfect the skin.  I’ve been disappointed with a few BB Creams that I’ve tried, mostly because they usually come in only two or three shades (Fair, Medium, Dark) and the “match” to various skin tones-including mine- always seems to fall short. The Garnier BB cream features a broad spectrum SPF 15 sun block, as well as pleasing coloring that isn’t too sheer, but doesn’t feel thick, slick or oily the way others do. This cream hydrates and hides imperfections, so much so that you can roll outta bed looking like a mess, and minutes after application look dewy and well rested. I swear by this!

Available at most drug stores and online

NARS EYE PAINT

  These little paint pots can be used as shadow or liner, and glide on silky-smooth, but stay put quite well, never creasing or fading, even during the course of multiple shows. They’re made to last for eighteen hours… but you’d have to be on a drug binge at Coachella to test that out, right?   They do last very well though, and come in really shiny metallics as well as matte shades. Being a belly dancer and all, I’m a sucker for the names of these highly pigmented gel eye colors: Iskander, Mesopatamia and Snake Eyes, though I’ve only tried Baalbek, a deep, rich, chocolaty bronze shade.

Available online or in department stores

YOUNIQUE MOODSTRUCK 3D FIBER LASHES

 Ok- I saved the best for last.

 According to the instructional flyer that comes along with this product, Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes are supposed to give a 300% increase in the thickness and length of your lashes.  I was really skeptical…until I tried it.

My eyes are extremely hooded, and that means that my eyelashes actually recede into my lids, even if I have on five coats of mascara, and believe me, I’ve tried dozens of brands over the years. I’ll be the first to admit that I lucked out in the gene pool and have many gifts: good skin, thick hair that grows really quickly and healthy teeth…but I'm kinda lacking in the eyelash department.  If  I don't  wear false lashes, you’d think I didn’t have any at all!

 I simply adore this mascara… in fact, I love it soooo much that I’m showing you a picture of my extremely hooded eyes sans any make up at all, (something I never , ever do!) except for two coats of mascara on one eye, so you can see what this stuff does- and THIS IS ONLY WITH TWO COATS!     

Spot the difference!  I'm wearing Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes only (obviously!) on the left side

 The mascara comes in a darling little patterned black patent-leather case that contains two tubes: one of a gel, one of fibers. You paint the gel on with a flick of the wand, add the fibers (again, just like putting on any sort of mascara) and then seal it with the gel. It dries quickly, and you could apply as many layers as you like.  As I said previously, I only did two coats and the difference was incredible.

Younique makes several other great products too, right now I’m also rockin’ their Moodstruck Minerals Lucrative Lipgloss in  “Luscious”, a gorgeous blue-red that is great for any skin tone, and makes your teeth look pearly white.

 I got these marvy Younique products form Jovana Johnson, who is a make up artist and a belly dancer, as well as a Younique Presenter.   To purchase, go to www.youniqueproducts.com/jovana, or check out her Facebook Page here:

https://www.facebook.com/beautyfromwithin81/timeline?filter=3

Younique Products,  "Luscious" Lip Glass in the foreground

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 I test drive beauty products and write about them frequently, so if you represent a company and would like me to review your products, drop me an email here: princessfarhana@gmail.com or send samples to:

Princess Farhana

PO Box 29504

Los Angeles, CA 90029

USA

 My latest book, “The Belly Dance Handbook: A Companion For The Serious Dancer” is available here: http://www.princessfarhana.com/shop.htm

TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR DANCE STUFF

 One of my favorite things to do is re-use and repurpose, and I love coming up with inexpensive ways to keep my dance stuff organized and ready to use. Hence,  I’ve often been called   “The Martha Stewart Of Dancers” which tickles me to no end! Here are some tips and tricks for  cleaning and storing all your necessary tools and accessories, so you can focus on dancing, not hunting stuff down!

FOR GIGS

 Keep a travel-sized spray bottle of rubbing alcohol in your make up kit or gig bag for cleaning your beauty tools. Each time you apply concealer, eyeliner or any blush or shadow, spritz your brushes and wipe them off gently, in the direction of the bristles, on a tissue to remove pigments and get rid of   bacteria.  Every so often, take a cotton ball and spritz it to wipe down the inside of your brush roll or the inside of your cosmetic bag to keep it fresh and germ-free. You can also spray your combs and hairbrushes so you’re not spreading oils or old product through your hair as you brush or style it.

Type out a “generic” show introduction in an easy-to-read font, and keep a few in a pocket of your gig bag.  Slip it in with your CDs when you hand them over to the deejay or emcee, and you’ll never have to look for a pen or scramble to come up with an intro at the last minute.

Keep rhinestones and crystals in a pillbox, and pop it into your make up bag. To store bindis, cut a small sheet of wax paper or plastic, stick the bindis  to it and keep it in a business card case, or inside a small container like a  recycled cough drop or breath mint tin. When you’re ready to use the little decorations again, just peel them off, apply a dot of eyelash glue and stick them where the sun does shine.

 SMART STORAGE

Use ice cube trays to organize your jewelry.  Chains and pendants, earrings and rings all fit into the individual rectangles, and the trays can be stacked in a drawer, making everything easy to find.

A great way to store necklaces, bracelets and heavy pendants is on those inexpensive wall-mounted paper towel racks, available almost everywhere.  They can be spray-painted or used “as is”, and you’ll be able to see all your accessories.

Over-the-door shoe bags are a fantastic way to store your dance class tools and accessories, too!  The pockets can be used for your dance slippers, of course, but also for leggings, leg warmers, hip scarves, resistance bands, your iPod and cords, finger cymbals, neatly rolled veils, feather boas – whatever fits!  When you’re ready to go to class, reach in, get whatever you need, throw them in your dance bag and off you go.

FOR CRAFTING AND COSTUME MAKING

I use a large fishing tackle box to keep all my crafting supplies in, most have  slide-out trays with separate sections that  make organization easy. They’re great for storing all sorts of small notions that are frequently used, like  thimbles, jump-rings for jewelry, pliers, crystals,  super glue, glue-gun sticks…whatever! A tackle box is also great for  storing your make up, and usually much less expensive  and way more durable  than the cosmetic storage boxes that are designed the exact same way!  Spend your money on the  beauty products, not the container you keep them in!

 Get a few large safety or diaper pins and slip your hooks and eyes (in matched pairs) onto it. Do the same with buttons needle-threaders- this way; they’ll be easy to find in your sewing box.

Keep feather plumes in small mailing tubes, available at office supply stores. They’ll stay pretty, fluffy and un-rumpled, and’ll be ready  to use when you need them.

Recycle prescription pill bottles and store your glitter in them. The lids are tight and prevent spills, and you’ll be able to see the colors easily.

  CHEERS FOR VODKA!

 Many of you know that vodka can be used to freshen up costumes and get rid of odors- make 50/50 water and vodka mixture in a spray bottle, and keep it on hand to mist your costume.  Hang your costume up, spray the mixture from about a foot away- and let it dry- it takes a matter of minutes, neutralizes smells on your cossie, and won’t harm sequins, beads or crystals.

You can also use vodka to kill bacteria on your lipsticks! Fill a shot glass half way up, and dip the waxy part of the lipstick into the vodka for a few seconds. The alcohol will evaporate almost instantly, and it won’t affect the product’s color at all.

 To keep powder shadows and blushes clean, mist the surface from about six- twelve inches away with straight vodka. Like the lipstick, it’ll dry immediately, and keep your products clean and free of any sebaceous oils or germs.

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If you liked these tips and want to read more,  my new book, “The Belly Dance Handbook: A Companion For The Serious Dancer” is available here:

http://www.princessfarhana.com/shop.htm

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE : WINTER BEAUTY FOR DANCERS

    BRRR…Winter is here!

 Ok, yes, I live in LA, and I’m  reasonably sure that all you dancers in colder climates are laughing at me, but it really is  winter in Hollywood!  But no matter where you live, there are  some things about our dance practice and presentation that  need to change when the seasons do.

During the winter, our skin gets dry from the cold and wind and also from indoor heating. Moisturizing is necessary, even more than I it is in warmer months.  I’m really into the new Vaseline Spray And Go Body Moisturizer- it’s an amazing product! It goes on smooth and doesn’t leave any residue, so you can spritz it on right outta the shower and then get dressed immediately! Comes in a nice variety of scents too, and they’re subtle, not cloying.

 As for facial moisturizers, I love Boots Protect And Perfect Intense Serum- I use it at night, it seeps right in and my skin feels so soft every morning. For daytime, I use Olay  Total Effects 7 In One Daily Moisturizer, which is really creamy but not oily…it feels light  and is great under make up.  There are tons of products you can buy, but an easy  ( and cheap!) home made scrub will do the trick, too. In a bowl, combine

About once or twice a week, I use  a scrub to exfoliate my face.  I sometimes joke that glitter is an exfoliant... but I like to make my own facial scrubs. There are tons of products you can buy, but an easy  ( and cheap!) home made scrub will do the trick, without causing irritation. In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal with ¼ teaspoon of table salt- any kind will do. Add a teaspoon of water , or if your skin is very dry,  use olive oil instead. Rub it into your skin carefully with your fingers in circular motions, going upwards. Make sure not to drag or pull your skin. Then let the  paste sit on your face for about ten minutes, and rinse it off with tepid water.

  After this scrub, I apply  natural coconut oil  to my face. You can purchase a large bottle of coconut oil at any health food store- it’s great for cooking too. But when used on the skin, it draws moisture to you and seals it in, without leaving you feeling greasy and gross…plus it smells nice. I slather it all over my poor beat up feet at night, then slip on a pair of thick socks and I the morning, my feet look…well… almost presentable!  It’s also terrific as a natural make up remover.

As for winter time make up, one of the problems most of us have is that our summer tans are fading. Check the foundation you’ve been using to be sure that the shade still matches your skin tone. You might want to mix two colors together, so you can lighten or darken the current  color you are using to match your “new” seasonal skin tone. For pale  or fair gals, bronzer might be in order…and you can find great, inexpensive ones at the drug store! E.L.F  Studio Contouring Blush And Bronze is only about four bucks and comes in a wide variety of shades.  If you want to go a little higher-end, MAC Bronzing Powder is the bomb. For bronzers, make sure to use them sparingly, since you are no longer tan; take a large fluffy brush, and lightly go over the outside contours of your face: cheek bones, temples, jaw line, then fluff some across the bridge of your nose. This will give you a healthy and believable subtle sun-kissed glow, and extend  the remnants of your summer color.

 If your hair is looking dull and dirty, but it’s too damn cold to wash it as much as you do when it’s warmer, try a dry shampoo. Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo works like a charm and is available at places like target, Walmart, CVS, etc. for under ten bucks. Also, in the winter static electricity is a problem for any type of hair, so think about using  a silicone smoother to prevent fly-aways. I really like  the John Frieda Collection  Frizz-Ease Hair Serum  but be forewarned- a little dab’ll do ya!

During the cooler months, be really anal about making sure your body is fully warmed up before you dance. You should be doing this any way, but in the winter, it’s absolutely imperative, because   dancing with cold muscles is basically a way of begging for an injury!  Be sure to dress in “classic dancer layers”- including a sweater or sweatshirt, leg warmers, that sort of thing.

During the winter, gals have to be really on top of our vitamin D intake.  Adequate amounts of vitamin D will help your body to perform to it’s fullest-  it’s great for our bones and it boosts the immune system…and of course, we need that for dancing! Vitamin D also keeps our mood up, and increases  morale.  During the spring and summer,  get a lot of vitamin D naturally from sunlight,  but  during the winter, because  of the longer nights and lesser amount of daylight hours, it’s a safe bet our D levels are decreased. 

 If you’re not already taking vitamin D supplements, ask your doctor  which dose  might be right for you. But you can also get  a nice  dose of vitamin  D  for breakfast!   I make a green smoothie every morning that’s bursting with vitamin D, and though it looks kinda scary, it’s really yummy!

Here’s what I throw in a blender:

A big handful  or two each of  raw spinach and raw kale

One  large stalk of celery

Half a small/medium cucumber, cut into chunks

Two or three large broccoli florets

 Half a large apple cut into slices

A banana

A cup and a half of orange juice

Two  or three heaping tablespoons  of plain Greek yoghurt ( I like Fage, but any brand will do as long as there’s no added sugar)

Blend well!

You’ll have enough for about three large drinks, so you can  have some later as a pick-me-up- in fact, I drink a big glass of this before gigging cause it gives me a huge energy boost, but without the jitters that come from caffeine or  “enhanced’ sports drinks like Red Bull. The apples , banana  and orange juice make it  sweet and wonderful. I’ve also used  a dash of coconut milk and frozen pineapple chunks  for a tropical flavor, or added in a heaping teaspoon of cinnamon  and a little more apple and it tastes just like apple pie a la mode! By the way, cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory.

   Now that I’ve given you this healthy recipe, drink  a big glass full on Christmas morning! 

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