Riot and Frolic

Fake nails = $60

Tanning = $70

Makeup application = $70

Hair updo = $80

Feeling like a million bucks? = could be cheaper

While it's AWESOME to use the talented vendors available at competitions, sometimes time and money can keep you from using their services.  Instead of walking on the floor looking unprepared, learn how to do simple versions of the ballroom looks.

RULES

1. Simple is ALWAYS a good idea.  
   
2. 10 foot rule – It doesn't have to look perfect to you, while you're leaning over your sink and 4 inches away from your mirror.  It has to look good from 10 feet away. AKA?  Don't sweat the small stuff (your slightly crooked eyelash, that one lick of hair that mysteriously resists hairspray, THAT SPOT ON YOUR FACE THAT WON'T TAKE MAKEUP [breathe breathe, breathe], etc.)
3. Practice your hair/makeup/costume routine AT LEAST ONCE – It's reeeeeally helpful to A) know how long it takes to complete B) know what you're doing C) know that you won't fall out of/rip/be uncomfortable in your look.

COSTUMES

If you are a lady, read this: 

If you are a man, read this:

NAILS

Go get some press on nails and be done with it.  Sooooo easy.  Sooooo cheap.

There's tons of brands to choose from with different options ranging from super long to super short, having the glue already on, and crazy colors.  Most of the brands will last at least a weekend and look just as good as the "real" fake nails.

TANNING

I'm going to say something crazy:

You don't have to tan.

If it's your first time hitting the floor, you're dancing in something like Beginning Bronze or Newcomer, and you are feeling the pressure up to here, don't worry about it.

That being said, tanning makes you look 10% more awesome on the dance floor. And that's science.  

The easiest option is to pick up some of that tanning stuff at the store (L'oreal, Neutrogena, Banana Boat, etc.) and slather it on.  The goal for most Causasian people is to get out the pink undertones (which tend to make you look ghostly under bright lights).  If you have a darker complexion, you're probably good to go au naturel.

If you'd like to up your game, but still want a temporary fix, try Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs.  It's basically body makeup: lasts through a light sweat, doesn't rub off too easily, yet comes off in the shower with some vigorous scrubbing.

Ready for the next option?  You can buy a bottle of Dancesport self tanner, find a GOOD friend, and go to town painting this stuff on yourself.  A bottle lasts for three or four competitions.  (You can also check out the other tanning options on Danceshopper.com, a favorite online store.)

MAKEUP

Makeup application, including eyelash application, is not hard.  Do the basic stuff in colors that you like AND LOOK GOOD IN, make sure you have done your eyebrows, put on a bright lipstick, glue on your eyelashes, and WALK OUT THE DOOR.

Once you have mastered the basics, you can try some trickier techniques, but remember that simple is always a good choice.  (Here's some more great tutorials for basic makeup, and you can check out some fancier looks on my Dancetastic Pinterest page.)

Eyelashes freaking you out?  

• Start small.  Cut a full length piece into quarters.  Even now, I have to cut off a centimeter or so of my sets or the ends stick me in the eye.  OUCH.
• Put on your glue (I love DUO in clear; I feel the black in not forgiving in mistakes) in a thin line and wait 10 – 20 seconds.  If your glue isn't sticky, you are in for a world of pain.
• Keep your eyes open and stick it close-ish to the outer edge of your eye.  
• PRACTICE.  

HAIR

Let's not get crazy.  

Let's do something that you can PRACTICE ahead of time and uses easily accessible supplies and looks good.  Let's do something that won't move, won't get in the way, and won't stick to your face. Let's do something that takes less than an hour and leaves the feeling in your arms since you'll need those for dancing.  

Ladies' Long Hair

SOCK BUN : if your hair is long enough for a ponytail, get thee a sock bun.  Wear it low right by the  nape of your neck, or high up on your head.  Wearing your bun right in the back of your head is too ballerina, not enough bad ass.  

Once your bun is in order, hairspray the bejeezus out of it.  Let it dry… then do it again.  And there's no such thing as too many bobby pins.  AND it's commonly known that your hair isn't done until you have a bobby pin in your brain (or at least one that feels like it is).  

Are you done yet?  NO!  Put a hair net over that bunny beauty.  Yes, a hair net.   And secure it with MORE BOBBY PINS.

I'm a big fan of Jac-o-net, with their nearly invisible and slightly creepy "like human hair!", which are sold at Sally's Beauty Supply.  Conair also makes decent hair nets and you can find them at Walgreens.

I also like got2be glued hairspray, which has great hold and a great price and you can find it at most drugstores.

So, bun form (-$5, or you can literally use a sock for FREE), hairnet (-$3), bobby pins ($3), and some hairspray ($6) = less than $17

Ladies' Medium Length Hair

If you can get your hair in a teeny tiny ponytail, do that.  Then get a hair piece that matches your hair (find them at Walgreens or the like) and proceed as above with the sock bun.  Also, see "Other Stuff" below.

Ladies' Short Hair

It is okay to leave it loose, but bring a blowdryer.  It is NOT okay to have sweaty hair sticking to your face.  Plus, it's annoying.  If you're feeling the least bit sweaty between dances, find an outlet, plug in your blowdryer and do a mini-blowout.  If you need to bring your curling iron, then go ahead.  The time you saved in "not doing your hair" is time you'll have to spend doing your hair at some point.

Otherwise, try slicking it down.

Other Stuff

You may wear your hair half-up, but you still have to DO it.  Flat iron or curl the loose hair and still smooth down your half-ponytail with half a can of hairspray.  

Basically, ask yourself, "What would J-Lo do?" 

[DANCE PUN!]

Dudes

Put something in your hair.  No, not something sparkly.  Get some gel, pomade, or hairspray.  And probably a haircut.  Do something like this (I love Egor… and his website) or just make sure you look nice.  Like you're going to a wedding.  Your boss's wedding.

Most importantly, remember dancing is fun, looking nice is fun, and you're fun.

QUESTIONS

What else do you need to know?  I'll direct you to sources as much as possible!

Ballroom shoes are a tortuous necessity.  While they do make dancing "easier" with their slippery grip, finding the right pair can be a lifelong challenge.

I've worn the same two styles of shoes (Rhythm and Smooth, respectively) for 10+ years and I'm not planning on changing anytime soon.  It took my 5 years to figure out which ones kept me from the far right side of the scale and I'm not going to take my chances on some new fangled pair.

Here's some hints on how shoes should fit:

For Men and Women

They should fit like a glove.  Not SO tight that you have to struggle to get it on, but not loose in any way.  They don't fit like athletic shoes or even a pair of closed-toe dress shoes, where there's room for a nice warm sock or the space of your thumb at the front of the shoes. 

[Note: you WILL have a very skewed reality of "street shoe" sizing after buying dance shoes for a few years.]

Your First Pair

Go to a studio and try on dance shoes.  Go to a store and try on dance shoes.  Go to a competition and try on dance shoes.  Go ask your friend to try on their dance shoes.  Physically put on some kind of dance shoes.  Try not to buy your first pair online.

Try different heel heights, fabrics, and styles.  Walk around in them (on carpet – most shoe companies don't want you to press down the lovely suede soles until you have bought them).  Walk, spin, jump, and keep them on until the salesperson asks you to take them off.  Get a feel for what you like and what you don't.  

For your first pair, get a practice shoe: a pair of shoes that can be worn for any kind of dance.

Ladies, there's the ever-popular sandal:

Or the practice/teaching shoe (only get this if you wear pants ALL THE TIME; it looks so dreadful with skirts):

If you're trying on leather shoes and they're a little tight width-wise, I wouldn't worry about it.  With a few weeks, they'll stretch out to fit your feet and you'll never think about it again… until you wear that pair out and have to buy a new pair.  

Guys, while there is a little difference in shank length, fabric, heel height, and throat placement, your shoes are SHOES.  Just like your costume, they're black and boring.  On the plus side, your foot costumes are usually 10x more comfortable than ladies' are, so… WINNING.  

All of your shoes will look a lot like this:

Ladies' Rhythm and Latin Shoes

Your toes should reach the end of the shoe.  You shouldn't see any of the shoe sticking out beyond your tootsies.  If you can, try a different shoe.  (We used to have to cut the tips of our shoes off until shoe manufacturers caught on.  The flappy part is SUPER annoying when you're dancing AND pointing your foot.)

Are you a former ballet dancer?  Like, within the last ten years?  Are you under 30? Then, by all means, do the 3" heel.  You probably have the balance to pull it off and the higher heel might help you start finding your heels without feeling like you're putting the back of your foot through the floor.  

Are you anyone else?  I'd go with 2.5" heel.  For your sanity's and balance's sake.  

Do you have a high arch and wicked point?  These are the only reasons you should get a T-strap shoe.  Otherwise, you're limiting your foot articulation and let's not do that, okay?

Ladies' Smooth Shoes

These are even harder to fit than Latin shoes because of the closed toe.  TRY ON ALL THE STYLES.  The vamp, width, rise, toe cup, heel placement, and EVERYTHING ELSE change enough from style to style where it just works better to try them all on and jump around and point and flex your foot and do a heel turn and mess about as much as you can in each one to see what works.  

Again, if you have a high arch and a super point, I'd go for an arch strap (or those groovy clear bands).

On the other hand, if you don't have the strongest feet or ankles, get a pump and not one of these styles:

Vendors

In the Twin Cities?  Check out Grand Jete on Grand Ave.

Looking for something on a budget?  Try Dance Shoes Online.  

Showtime Dance Shoes is my personal fave; try them online or at most NDCA competitions.

Happy Friday.