Dear Constant Reader,
Today’s tip comes from Betty Blaize (and her hairstylist):
When trying to get body in your hair, do the opposite of how the hair naturally falls – if it falls left, brush, curl or gel it to the right. If it falls right, go left. Hair in the back goes toward the front, hair in the front goes back.
Dear Constant Reader,
Always carry a notebook and a pen – and use them! You never know when inspiration will strike. Or when you will need to jot down an important bit of information.
Dear Constant Reader,
We are on the road to Portland, Maine for two shows at the Lucid Stage, plus a class. It’s been a sunny summer and that makes me think of your tip:
Wear sunscreen!
I know that sounds obvious, but it’s always good to have a reminder. You have all been warned of the dangers of too much sun — burns, peeling, premature wrinkles, freckles, risk of skin cancer, &c.
I want to remind you of another danger specifically for the burlesque dancer — uneven color. I don’t mean bikini tan lines (and see me avoiding the subject as to whether they’re sexy or not). I mean farmer’s tan. You may not even notice it’s happening as you go about your daily life until… you take off your costume on stage and you have a darker area on your chest, right where the neck of your blouse starts (or ends, depending on what sort of person you are). It’s distracting.
So, everyday, put sunblock on your décolletage.
And moisturize too, but that’s a tip for another day!
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip:
Pack an “emergency kit” of little things you might need in a pinch at a show.
The Boston Babydolls’ emergency kit contains:
Once upon a time I kept a spare pair of fishnets in there too, but too many people began relying on it and I got tired of constantly replenishing them.
What do you keep in your emergency kit?
Dear Constant Reader,
Today’s Friday Tip combines two of my favorite things — costuming and tea!
You can use tea to dye white elastic so it is closer to your skin tone.
Obviously you want to use black tea here. Your favorite herbal blend* is not going to have the same effect. Use a couple of cheap tea bags (the sort I’d never use to make anything I was going to drink) to brew up a strong cup and drop in your elastic. Make sure to stir the elastic around so it dyes evenly. Keep an eye on the color of the elastic as it’s soaking and remember that when wet it’s about 2 shades darker than when it dries.
* not actually a tea, but that’s a message for another time.
Dear Constant Reader,
This weekend we are in Salem, MA! Before I go, here’s your Friday tip.
New shoes can be very slippery. Lightly score the soles with a craft knife to create some traction. A temporary solution is to spray the soles with hairspray; it’s sticky.
Dear Constant Reader,
We’re on the road to Saratoga Springs! But I wouldn’t forget your Friday Tip.
Rehearsing in front of a mirror is good, but videotaping yourself is even better.
Put your ego away and watch yourself critically. You’ll find all sorts of areas for improvement — and good stuff too — that would have flashed by in the mirror.
Dear Constant Reader,
Before I get to your Friday tip, a note of thanks. Our Kickstarter campaign is now fully funded, actually overfunded, and we still have more than 2 weeks to go. This is fantastic! You all are amazing! Scratch keeps adding new incentives for new goals, so it’s not too late to join in the fun.
And now for your tip:
Don’t forget to eat.
I know this sounds really simple, but a lot of performers don’t like to eat before a show. And it’s easy to get distracted with all your pre-show preparations. However, it’s no fun to have your blood sugar crash when you’re on stage. Have a light meal a couple of hours before the show and keep some healthy snacks backstage — something you can just pop in your mouth with little fuss. I like baby carrots and grape tomatoes with hummus. Scratch is partial to nuts. He’d have to be in this industry. *rimshot*
I hope to see some of you in the audience of A (Re)Movable Feast tonight and tomorrow!
Dear Constant Reader,
Most everyone in the burlesque world is in Las Vegas at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend, including our own Scratch. I, your faithful correspondent, am still at my writing desk at Stately Babydoll Manor to give you your eagerly anticipated Friday Tip (you do eager anticipate them, yes?).
When possible, rehearse on the stage on which you’re going to perform. At the very least, walk around on it, preferably in the shoes in which you’ll be performing.
The more comfortable you are with your performance area, the more confident a performance you can give.
Dear Constant Reader,
Today’s tips are courtesy of Mr. Scratch:
When you reach a certain level of fame (and the bar is surprisingly low), if you’re not willing to deal gracefully with your fans, just don’t leave the house.
and
When you reach a certain level of fame (and the bar is surprisingly low), every time you leave the house, there’s a chance you’re going to have to be ‘on stage’. Be prepared for the possibility.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 