Riot and Frolic

a mostly ballroom dance, but also a bunch of other stuff, blog

about

I own and rock people’s faces off teaching ballroom dancing at Dancers Studio in St. Paul, MN. My husband and I compete professionally in American style and wrangle eight children in our spare time. I’ve been teaching and competing in ballroom dancing for over 25 years and have lots of opinions on it. I am an expert by any means, but there are quite a few dancers who are better than me and I have a solid knowledge of basic technique, so suck it.

Dance Products I Hate

August 9, 2013

If you hadn't noticed, I am a ballroom dancer. I have been for quite a while.

If you hadn't noticed, I am opinionated. Again, for a while.

Combine this experience with this personality trait and you get this:

Dance Products I Hate

those stupid not-Capezio fishnets. What do they even do? FYI: fishnets are worn to "hooshz" (pull in) all the jiggly bits that aren't meant to jiggle. Cellulite be gone! Even-colored skin tone be glorious! They hurt to wear a little with their hyper-effective properties, but it's like wearing a bra, and we all do that most of the time. And EVERYONE SHOULD WEAR THEM. Yes, even you skinny bitches should wear them. [Exceptions include any professional lady in the finals, and, that's it.]

no

But these? Useless. Saggy, shreddy, stupid, non-hooshzing, useless uselessness. [Buy: Capezio or bust. Caramel (light tan) is good for most ladies, toffee (dark tan) is for VERY tan dancers.]
clear Ardell lash adhesive. Like a burning, ficklely adhesive, drippy product is what I'm looking for in something I put near MY EYES.

no

[Buy: Ardell's DUO white lash adhesive, which comes in a tube, dries clear, and isn't annoying.]
the color that Supadance considers "flesh" in a smooth or standard shoe. Waltz tango foxtrot, indeed.

so light

just right

For my all shoes to be relatively the same color, and match the "toffee" color of fishnets that I own, I dye my smooth shoes (with tanning liquid).

no

If you're wearing "caramel" fishnets, you have nothing to worry about. If you're wearing "toffee" tights, and haven't dyed your shoes to match your legs, your feet are glowing beacons of technique, for better or for worse, and *gasp* you're shortening your leg lines.

no

[Buy: shoes that match your leg color.]
ProTan – smelly, weird, streaky self-tanning liquid. Maybe it was the early '00s way to get bronze, but it sucked.

no

[Buy: anything from Danceshopper's Self-Tanning page. I'm a big fan of Dance Spa Competition Color. Note: some products are better used to enhance existing tans, and not as a base. If you ever have a question, leave a comment and I'll let you know.]
false eyelashes with a thick band. There's difficult to put on symmetrically, make your eyes disappear, and look literally heavy.

these might be fine, but look suspiciously intense

Falsies should make people say, "Gosh, her eyes are pretty," not "Gosh, she has false eyelashes on."

yes

[Buy: Ardell's Fashion Lashes 105. GAH! LOVE THE 105s!

What do you love/hate to use for dancing? Did I bash something you dig? Let's complain! Let's recommend!

Next week is Mustache Week! This guy is going to kick it off, but I bet you don't even recognize him without his awesome 'stache.

One year ago: Don't Think About It, in which I didn't know that very talented athlete was also crazy.

Two years ago: Can't Name This Post, in which I was too busy naming a baby to name my post.

Posted in Dancetastic

18 responses to “Dance Products I Hate”

Marsha

August 9, 2013

Do ya know what our friends at Capezio and Danskin have done??? They have shortened the rise on their fishnets to comply with the fashion of wearing things (jeans, shorts, skirts, dance trunks, etc.) well below the waist line. This is a horrific thing! When you cut the waistband off the older Capezio fishnets, they came all the way to the waist. If you wanted them lower, you just folded them down. But NOW, that dang “waist” is well below your waist, and when you cut off the waistband, to avoid that stupid smoosh line you get from it, those pigs slide down… and down… and down. Your leotard trunk holds them up so they cannot slide OFF, but they do not feel good anymore. Nice job Capezio. Just speaking of hate…

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Riot and Frolic

August 9, 2013

I’VE BEEN WONDERING! Because that is exactly what’s been happening! Do I need to see them into my dresses again? BLURG!
Yeah, I hate that, too!

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Jediane

August 9, 2013

I read once that figure skaters who wear the nude-colored skates only do it so judges won’t look at their feet and mistakes don’t stand out as good. Is this also true with ballroom dancing? Asking for a friend.

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Frances

August 9, 2013

I think we just need to send Kate to Capezio to tell them what is what. Put your best game face on, Kate. Capezio won’t stand a chance against you.

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Riot and Frolic

August 9, 2013

Kind of. It’s more of an optical illusion thing, though. Having shoes that match your legs makes you look longer, which is never a bad thing. It does also help your legs blend into the wood floors, which often helps hide mistakes.
Ladies, NEVER WEAR BLACK SHOES with tan (or worse, untag) legs. It’s bad.

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Riot and Frolic

August 9, 2013

Ha. You’d think they’d already have someone on the inside, or like, TEST THEM ON DANCERS, or something. Weirdos.

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Riot and Frolic

August 9, 2013

*sew, not see

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bgballroom

August 9, 2013

I hate satin dance shoes that look dirty and ugly after one wear. The colour or texture of your tights hardly matters when your shoes (that you may have paid over $200 for to get the right fit) look like you’ve been practicing in them for 6 months instead of ten minutes.
I want nice leather shoes – maybe even shiny ones! The boys get to wear shiny ones. Is the whole satin thing because the top champion ladies all really wanted to be ballerinas and ballroom was as close as they could get? Maybe they could have the satin and we could have some nice, cost-effective, lovely Italian leather that might last a whole season
I don’t wear fishnets because I dance International Standard only and can’t tell the difference on the floor. I do wear panty hose for the smooshing effect and the colour boost. No sense offending the eyes of judges and audience alike by showing my blindingly white legs.

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Shanon

August 10, 2013

I can’t justify spending 90 minutes of my life every two weeks to maintain fake nails. Love fake nails because they help me remember to keep energy in my hands, styling, etc.
LOVE using press ons. Okay, I know, it’s not 1993. HOWEVER – no one can tell the difference. Seriously – I’ve gotten more compliments on the fakes than on the “solar nails” I had for a year.
I use the KISS Custom fit, so some nails are flat and others have a higher nail bed, so the nail is more likely to stay on than pop off. Also, I’ve developed a patented (read: not patented) way to keep them on. 1) Trim nails short. 2) Rough up the nail with an emery board. 3) Google “emery” to see if you spelled it right (you did – huzzah!) 4) Throw away the “nail glue” that came in the package. 5) Use WonderBond nail glue – it’s a brush-on, just like nail polish. 6) Paint the inside of the nail with glue. Set it down. 7) Paint your nail with the glue. 8) Pick up fake nail and put it on nail bed. 9) Enjoy those things because they are not coming off again. In fact, the glue will outlast the fake French manicure, at which point I file them down short and paint them a pretty color.
And then I use my “fake nail” money on more coaching. Ta da!

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Rose

August 10, 2013

I must say that I actually do like the flesh satin for standard BUT I do not like it for Latin… And of course I made the mistake of ordering the flesh satin in my Latin heels slaps myself
I agree though that I hate how dirty the flesh satin standard shoes look after just a few uses 😦 not okay AND I’m furious at capezio for lowering the waistband like no don’t do that.
One thing I must add is how much hatred I have for finding the right fit for standard shoes… My feet keep slipping out no matter how small I go agh! Driving me crazy!
And I just hate tan in general… I love being tan but getting tan is the part I hate… It’s just such a pain to get the tan nice and even and not orange
Oh and I loathe bottom fake eyelashes… They freak me out
Question though: is it completely necessary to wear tights/fishnets? I just hate how weird they make my legs look and my feet slip out of my standard shoes which is a problem during a competition? I mean I’m only 16 so could I get away with just tanning and no tights?

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Riot and Frolic

August 12, 2013

I’ve HEARD people use those dry cleaning sheets (Dryel?) on their shoes, but I’ve never tried it. I definitely try to have a practice pair and a competition pair. But what about those yucky comp floors with the metal ridges that rip up your shoes?! Let’s outlaw those!
How about the dyed shoes trend? It was big in the 90s and IT’S COMING BACK. Like hot pink shoes with a hot pink dress.
Let’s look into leather. I’m SURE I’ve seen some in a catalog.
Yes, in Standard, one can get away without the fishnets. But I am a fan of hiding my crazy pale legs also.

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Riot and Frolic

August 12, 2013

TWO HOURS?! Where are you going? I kind of want to go there, it sounds nice.
But seriously:
YES. Press-ons are great. They generally look fab. BUT if you compete a lot, and don’t keep them on until they grow out (they fall off, you get claustrophobic, whatever), they constantly rip a little of your real nail off and your nails get worse and worse and then, ouch, poor baby nails. STOP THE INSANITY.
I would go press-on all the time if I performed 4-6 times a year. Otherwise, it’s slightly easier (yet more expensive) to go with “real” fake nails.
And great advice on the product/technique!

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Riot and Frolic

August 12, 2013

Standard shoes are the devil. The end.
Getting tan is the worst, especially since once I AM tan, I want to be that color forever. But all tanning products are slightly yucky, so… sigh
Do you do bottom falsies?! So brave! I’ve only seen one person do them and thought they looked freaky. I’m mostly thinking they’re not necessary. RIGHT?
You, darling 16 year old, are probably fine without fishnets. I can’t remember any unwanted jiggling occurring until I was at least 28. I’m guessing you’re in fine shape, dancing both Standard and Latin, so feel free to disregard advice on tights. BUT: clear straps for Standard shoes will prevent slippage, if at some point you want to wear them.

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Rose

August 13, 2013

Haha I feel the same way about tan! Once it happens I have a hard time letting it go
I do not do bottom lashes, I am not that brave 😛 My friend’s instructor forced her to wear them for a showcase and it was bad to put it mildly. She looked like a raccoon. I felt sorry for her. And YES they are completely unnecessary!!
Okay thank you I just wanted to make sure 🙂 I might end up wearing pantyhose though because I looked at some pictures of a pro I know when she was about 18 and she didn’t wear pantyhose/fishnets to compete and the pictures when she was in oversway, the veins on her feet bothered me and were a little bit distracting compared to the nice pantyhosed oversway pictures she has now. Although I don’t have jiggle (that word makes me laugh), I don’t have smooth barbie feet haha. Maybe I’m just over thinking all of this… Clear straps seem like a MUST for me since my feet pop right out of my shoes once I start to sweat. I still need to get some and I’m not sure if there are crappy clear straps and good clear straps so if you could steer me to wear I can buy the best pair I would be very grateful 🙂

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Rose

August 13, 2013

*where not wear… lol that was bothering me

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Riot and Frolic

August 13, 2013

Most shoe vendors sell straps, but I have to tell ya – they’re all different! I’ve bought pairs that cut off circulation to my feet because they were so tight, but my friend swore by them. I’ve also had ones that don’t actually keep my feet in my shoes. What the? At about $4 a pair, I don’t sweat it too much, but I also have been known to wear 3 pairs of clear straps at a time, so… yeah.
That was no help at all. 😦

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Tara

February 25, 2014

I am a beginner and have an upcoming showcase. I have really fair skin and I just purchased dark tan Latin shoes. Was that a horrible, horrible mistake? What would you recommend for fishnets and what to I do to match my arms to the legs? Or do I need to worry about it being a beginner? I don’t want to look ridiculous (who ever does?)
http://www.steponedanceshoes.com/inc/sdetail/5679/8223

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Riot and Frolic

February 25, 2014

Tara, not to fear, my dear.
A) you’re a beginner and it’s one of your first showcase, right? The fact that you have dance shoes is impressive at that stage.
B) Fair skin and tan shoes? I KNOW THE FEELING.
If you can find Capezio fishnets in Toffee (or Suntan, in any case they look dark brown in the package [http://www.danceshopper.com/dance-supplies.Fishnet_Tights_Seamed_Capezio_tights%5D) before the big event, that will go far.
As far as arms and legs matching, I’d go to a spray tan place and ask for the darkest dark dark setting. And go twice. Another good option is Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs ALL OVER. It washes off and looks great, but be careful with your costume if you sweat a lot.
DON’T FORGET YOUR FACE. If the rest of your body is magically tanner than usual, your regular makeup will not cut it. Go buy a dark foundation color and over-do your makeup.
[insert that quote about how you can never be over-dressed that Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe or some style icon said.]
Smile and have fun. You won’t look ridiculous.

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