Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s almost Halloween! Tomorrow we’ll be presenting Panties Inferno at The Thalia! This is a busy time of year for burlesque performers and often involves even more and heaver makeup than we usually wear. Here’s your tip:

After Halloween, treat yourself to a mask!

Not that kind of mask. A soothing facial mask. (If you want to see that kind of mask, you can check out Devastsia’s new number in Panties Inferno tomorrow.)

All that makeup is tough on your skin, so pamper yourself a bit. There are all sorts of masks available commercially, with ingredients like green tea, Dead Sea mud, or French clay. There are also some truly disturbing-looking sheet masks that are rather popular now. Or you can make one at home with kitchen ingredients like oatmeal or yogurt or mashed strawberries. Honey and ground almonds is a good one — you can put some on your face and the leftovers on your toast! You can find plenty of recipes on-line.

Start by steaming your face. Pour some boiling water into a bowl and hold your face over it for a few minutes. For extra steaminess, tent a towel over your head. Then smear or press or pat your mask in place. If you’re using something with crunchy bits, like sugar or the aforementioned almonds, make sure not to scrub it around; the roughness could make tiny tears in your skin. Leave the mask on for a little bit while you relax. Wash it off with warm water. Spritz with some toner and enjoy how fresh your face feels!

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip.

Keep an extra of a frequently forgot item in your show bag.

You know how there’s that one thing you’re always forgetting to bring to a gig and them you have to scramble to borrow or buy? I’ve already talked about keeping an emergency kit (for general emergencies) and about the “me plus one” philosophy (looking out for another performer), but this is about that specific thing you never seem to have on hand show after show. Maybe it’s hairspray or a pair of fishnets. Keeping a spare of whatever it is in your bag or makeup case will reduce stress and panic (and having to rely on the kindness of a fellow performer). Scratch keeps an extra tie in his suit bag and Brigitte always seems to have a spare roll of pastie tape. I always stash another thong in my bag. Get an extra and you’ll always have it.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday the 13th!

Tonight The BeauTease are in Salem, celebrating with Bad Luck Burlesque at Deacon Giles Speakeasy Lab. Our early show is sold out, but there are still tickets (last I checked) for the late show.

Here’s your tip!

For better balance, engage your core.

When standing on one leg, whether you’re removing a stocking on stage or just stretching your hamstring after working out, and you feel wobbly, tighten up your abs and you’ll be more stable. All those hours of Pilates and crunches are good for more than you thought! You’re improving your stability as well as your core strength.

Photo by RJP After Dark

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Tag sales are great for both buyer and seller.

Call them tag sales, yard sales, or garage sales (depending on your region), they’re opportunities!

It’s an opportunity for you, the seller, to clear unwanted stuff from your life. Maybe you’ve upgraded that costume or built that prop for a one-off show or those shoes that looked like a good idea at the time never quite fit right. And now they’re just taking up room in your closet or basement or storage unit. Have a tag sale! It’s better than letting the items languish or (worse) throwing them away. And maybe you get a little money in your pocket.

Sales like this are also an opportunity for you, the buyer, to pick up some treasures for cheap. It may also be a chance for inspiration. You never know what someone is letting go that might become the basis of a new act. It might not even be something you buy that sparks your creativity.

This tip was inspired by the Boston BeauTease Theatrical Tag Sale happening on Sunday. We’re selling costumes, props, lighting gear, fabric, and some oddities. I’ll also be selling some items from my personal wardrobe and costume collection!

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Carry some cash.

…at least a little.

It’s so easy these days to pay for things with cards and apps that it almost seems silly have cash on you. Nevertheless, there are times when you want some good old-fashioned greenbacks (or whatever you call your local currency).

If you pay cash, no one knows what you bought. You can’t say “keep the change” when you’ve used a credit card. It’s easier to stick to your budget when you have to haul out your wallet to pay. It’s hard to storm out of a bar if you have to wait to sign the credit slip instead of flinging down a handful of bills. How else are you going to tip the go-go dancers?

I recommend the emergency twenty (or fifty or hundred, depending on how you roll). Stash a spare bill in the back of your wallet for those desperate occasions when there is no other option but cold hard cash.

When there was a possibility that I could be breaking a local ordinance with my g-string-clad behind at the first Vermont Burlesque Festival, I showed up with a $50 bill in my wallet to pay the fine on the spot. (Fortunately, it turned out to be a non-issue.)

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Would you look at that? It’s Friday again! Today’s tip is inspired by some recent events in the burlesque scene*.

Knocking someone else down is not the way to build yourself up.

Instead, work on improving your skills and your attitude. You won’t have to make yourself feel better about yourself at the expense of someone else — you really will be better.

I spoke about horrible behavior in a previous Friday Tip, but it seemed worth mentioning again.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

* There are those who call it “the burlesque community”, but it’s not a community, as events demonstrate, so I won’t.

Dear Constant Reader,

I know you have a big heart and a generous nature and that’s the topic of this week’s tip:

Give to those in need… and make sure they are going to get it.

I know we were all devastated by the news from Texas. Donate or volunteer if you can, but be wary of scams. Disasters do seem to bring out the best and worst in people. It’s worth it check out an organization on Charity Navigator before giving.

Here are some reputable organizations, as recommended by the New York Times:

Food Banks: Houston Food Bank and Food Bank of Corpus Christi.

Animal Aid: Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Houston Humane Society, and San Antonio Humane Society.

Medical and Health Supplies: Direct Relief, AmeriCares, and Texas Diaper Bank. Also, blood donors are needed nationally.

LGBTQ Community Support: The Montrose Center

General Relief: United Way and Catholic Charities.

Thank you.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

When sending large files, like music or photographs or video, use file sharing, not email.

There are so many ways to share files (for free!) these days that there’s no reason not to. You don’t always know the recipient’s email situation or what device they might be using. Sending a link instead of a massive file is just more courteous. Thinks of it as delivering a note to pick up a parcel at their leisure instead of thrusting said parcel, which may be too heavy, into their arms without warning. (How’s that for an overly extended metaphor?)

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.