07.28.09
Posted in Because We Can at 5:15 pm by roxie
It’s the local media group, or the newspaper, or the event photographer, or the camera-happy friend… someone called you over and said “let’s take a picture!” Meanwhile, you’ve been dancing all night and your hair is a bit frizzy, you’re a little sweaty, and your makeup is likely not as perfect as it was in the bathroom mirror. You have a fight-or-flight response to that camera. “Me? Picture? Now? No!” But alas, here they come bearing film. What do you do?
If you have a minute, here are the quickest of quick picture-ready tips.
Smooth your hair - kind of a no-brainer, but this is a good thing to remember. If you must, spit into your hand. If you’d rather not and you can get a sec, grab your lip balm (perhaps the natural, moisturizing kind, as mentioned in this previous post on hair styling for social dancing!) and smooth a little in as needed, or flip some water into your hand from your glass water bottle and use that. Tossing it can also add some body. Generally use the hands and place it into a more photogenic place as desired.
Prevent racoon eyes - you probably don’t have a mirror, but assume you have some smudging if you wore under-eye makeup and have been dancing for a while. You can quickly get rid of them - just take the middle fingers of both hands and place them beneath your eyes. Slowly smudge upward, which will send any dark colors back towards the lower lash-line.
Send the color to your lips - if you have ten to thirty seconds, this is too easy. Since your lipstick has probably worn off by now, roll your lips inward and press them together as long as you can (right up until the moment of the photo, even). This will send blood, which equals a berry-red color, to the lips, creating a quick lusciousness without applying it. (Note: you may already have color going on from all that circulation you’ve been building while dancing!)
Wipe off the sweat - from your forehead, face and neck, of course. Dab lightly with a towel, your [darker-colored] shirt, or the back of your hand.
Tongue to the roof of the mouth/back of the teeth - for an effortless smile. Open your lips, place the tip of your tongue at the back of your upper teeth, and smile lightly and naturally. This keeps your face bright and prevents the smile from looking forced. If you grin, place the tongue between the teeth inside your mouth, which ever-so-slightly lifts the cheekbones.
And… flash! You’ll probably lean in to see the photo, and you may just be pleasantly surprised to find you look pretty good. If by some chance you think you don’t (eyes closed?) ask them to retake it - and make sure everyone gets to see your fab side.
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07.21.09
Posted in Dance Fashion Dish at 1:01 am by roxie
You’re planning to go dancing, and wardrobe-wise, feeling flexible. You know you have I’ll look good up top, but would that top best be paired with a skirt or with pants? Examine the pros and cons:
Skirts - Pros: When you wear a skirt, it’s the more feminine option. It also accentuates your hip movements, which can, ahem… increase the visual perception of your skill (i.e. make your dancing look better). And of course, skirts come in varying shapes and sizes, which gives them versatility from a fashion perspective. You have straight, trumpet, short, long, etc., slit, solid color, printed, etc. There are more options here, and you can work with your body shape and style preferences to choose what’s right for you.
Cons: On the other hand, skirts always need the proper briefs. For some, that’s just an extra thing they’d rather not think about. Nonetheless, you do need to be conscious of it. (But luckily at e.K., we have dance briefs to suit your needs and make this aspect of getting dressed and dancing easier). The other thing to think about that can be a con is the fact that a skirt can ride up, depending on the fit/sizing, your body shape, and the type of movement you are doing.
Pants - Pros: Pants are the usually the more comfortable option, definitely (especially if you are working with pants made for dancing), with stretch and a fit conducive to movement. Additionally, if worn at the proper “heel-length” (a few inches longer than pants you would wear with flat shoes), that continuation of the leg line will make you look taller. And finally, you don’t have to worry about briefs, things riding up, giving the “wrong kind of show,” or anything like that. You can kick, dip, etc., without worries.
Cons: Pants are the less feminine option. So, if you’re going for a soft or delicately “pretty” look, a skirt will give you that extra “oomph” of girliness. The other thing to remember is that it can be hard to find a good fit with pants, especially in the case of jeans. For lack of a better example, you want to avoid muffin-top, extra tightness at the hips, or light-colored tight clothing that lends itself to sweat stains or drink spills. Just remember to make sure you are working with your proportions and wearing something flattering, as always. At e.K. Clothing there are more feminine and sexy pants available made out of a very comfortable and fitting material leaving sweat spots invisible, avoiding most of these problems.
Those are the pros and cons of wearing skirts versus wearing pants while social dancing. Consider them the next time you go out, for ultimate comfort, beauty, and style on the floor.
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07.14.09
Posted in Dance Fashion Dish at 2:28 am by roxie
There’s something about it. Audiences just go crazy when female performers test gender lines with their stage attire. I don’t mean with a messy “tomboy” look. I’m talking chic, smooth, tailored fashion - with a slightly masculine edge.
What is the “feminine masculine?” This aesthetic happens when a female performer does a feminine take on a masculine silhouette, or projects feminine style while using some typically masculine wardrobe pieces. Let’s look at some examples:
When the late great Michael Jackson did the video for “You Rock My World,” his female dancer wore a bustier, jacket, and fedora, in a combination of feminine glam and masculine lines. When people saw Christina Aguilera sing “A Man’s World” in a white suit at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in 2007, they loved it. When Beyonce did the “Ring the Alarm” video, she recreated a scene from the 1992 film Basic Instinct, wearing a men’s button-down shirt. Alicia Keys routinely makes use of slick blazers and fedoras while on tour. All of these performers have done it well.
It appears that there’s something very sexy and appealing to audiences, men especially, when women dress up in slightly masculine attire while maintaining their femininity. It’s not clear why it has such appeal - although, it might actually have something to do with MJ and his appeal. After all, he loved tailored pieces, but seemed to walk a gender-bending line at times, and artists (male and female) are prone to imitating the King. Or maybe it just makes men imagine that “she” is wearing their clothes. Either way, that combination of masculine and feminine on a female performer is a very hot look.
If you’re looking to take advantage of this great style aesthetic on stage, it’s easy with e.K. Clothing pieces and accessories. For example, wear a Sequined Bra with a blazer, and possibly a fedora or top hat. You could even slip on a tie to run down the center, beneath the blazer (which might have at least one button done in this case). Up the feminine factor with our Cleopatra skirt, Classic Flare Pant, or Metallic Dot Pants w/ Sheer Accent (or another one of our pants or skirts).
You could also go classic broadway with a leotard, fishnet stockings, and black heels, complete with a coat with tails and a black top hat. Add in a cane for good measure, if it really fits.
The “feminine masculine” is all about tailoring and silhouettes. First, you pull from masculine style by creating a slick silhouette with a hat, defined shoulders, possibly boots, etc. Then, you keep it feminine with a defined waist, some flowing fabrics, accessories, and of course with hair and makeup (not to mention with your sexy attitude, movement, and overall performance). It’s about simple elegance… keeping it cool. You want to look sophisticated, a little edgy, and ultimately: effervescently, undeniably smooth.
After all that rehearsal, your carefully chosen wardrobe will get you into character. Then, you know there’s just one thing left to do - hit the stage ready to own it.
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07.07.09
Posted in Dance Fashion Dish at 11:39 pm by roxie
For ages, women have been adorning themselves in jewelry. Picture an ancient Indian tribe, and the women in that picture are wearing jewelry. Many of us have seen Native American, Peruvian, Puerto Rican and other cultural jewelry being sold at ethnic jewel stands and shops. It’s beautiful - and it didn’t come about overnight. Early cultures around the world employed jewelry, beading, makeup, and all kinds of other ornamental tools for the sake of attracting the best and brightest mate, and expressing gender identity. Not to get all intellectual and academic on ya, but our inner goddesses have been seeking out ways to enhance our femininity and beautify since day one. Now it’s still part of our nature, but it’s not always about the men - sometimes, we just wanna look gorgeous on night out.
But if you’re salsa dancing, you have to make sure that jewelry doesn’t get in the way. Let’s start at the top.
Earrings. Many women never leave the house without them. They can really frame the face and make a difference, and the dangly kind are quite popular. But, if you’re going to let them dangle, make sure they don’t dangle too much. Do a “shake-test” before you leave the house - with the earrings on, shake your head vigorously, and flip it from side to side the same way you might while dancing (not lightly, I mean really flip it, you don’t hold back while dancing, don’t hold back in the mirror).
Also, beware of long, dangly, beaded types if you plan to wear your hair down. Once they get caught, it could be painful, and you could later end up tediously plucking the hairs from between beads and stones (you may have done this before, - it’s a drag). Don’t wear extra heavy earrings either (obviously).
Before you head out, as insurance against losing one (or both), secure them this way: if they have hooked backs, make sure to press the end of the hooks forward, to almost create a full circle. That way, they won’t go anywhere. And lastly, remember that hoops are a great go-to look. They stay on, are always in-style, and look good on just about everyone.
Necklaces. Long ones, that end below the bust, mid-torso or further are not ideal. They might be “boho-chic,” and you might love that style aesthetic… but, sorry, it doesn’t work on the dance floor. They’ll fly around, hit you, your partners, get caught in your hair or earring on a move that takes you upside-down… they get caught in his hand on a head-loop or face-loop, or worse, somehow end up in his belt buckle. Save the long necklaces for another time. For dancing, necklaces that end somewhere near the collar-bone and sternum are okay, but in general, keep it short. Heavy pendants aren’t so great either, as they can hit your chest bones hard, or end up caught in the hair or elsewhere as they swing around. Whatever you do, just keep it light.
Bracelets. Lots of bangles, no - One bracelet or two, tight to the wrist, forearm, or upper arm - yes. The man contacts you for the lead at the hand, wrist, and forearm, and you don’t want to obstruct those areas. Some of the open-ended bracelets that snake around and snugly hug the arm are fine, as are jeweled fabric wrap-around wrist bracelets. Just make sure they aren’t going to get stuck in your clothes or obstruct partners.
Rings. Clunky, bulky, and “boho-chic” should be worn the dance floor. Keep it simple, nothing sharp that could hurt anyone or tear your clothes, especially if you are wearing any light fabric like chiffon or silk. If your engagement ring really gets in the way, just keep the wedding band on. You don’t want to add much to the hands when dancing - they need to be free.
Anklets. They are do-able if you want to wear them. But remember, in latin technique, the ankles and shoes come together, and the feet should bevel throughout each dance (not to mention, your ankles are bound to brush each other in steps, and they could possibly brush his pants). It’s best to wear only one anklet, and make sure it doesn’t have any sharp edges or dangling metal pieces.
And finally, if your belly button is pierced and you want to show it off, again, just make sure it not a piercing that can get caught in anything.
The rule of thumb for choosing jewelry to wear while social dancing is “beautiful yet functional.” (On that note, it’s also good to also take a less-is-more approach, you don’t need earrings and necklace and bracelet, etc.) This is the same rule for choosing dance wear - it should catch the eye and complement your clothing and personal aesthetic, but it should never get in the way of your movement, or get caught in your clothing. Make sure to do your checks before you leave the house - shake the head, do a turn, hit a move or two, brush the jewelry against your clothing… all in the name of functionality. Prepare to be both comfortable and fabulous, and you will stay that way all night.
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07.02.09
Posted in Direct From the Dancefloor at 2:31 am by roxie
The venue with the live salsa band is fun and exciting. But remember the first time that great song seemed just a little too long? (”Omg, this song is really long…”)
And remember how you found yourself wondering when it would end? (”Do I hear the ending coming yet? Oh that sounds like the ending! Aw, man, it’s just another percussion solo. Okay, keep dancing, keep dancing, c’mon look alive… Dance, dance, you can do it!”)
Oh, and remember the time you seemed to be dancing with a salsa-fanatic energizer bunny to a really fast one, and to your dismay, he just wouldn’t slow the pace? (”Where does he get all this energy from!? More turns? Seriously!? Okay! 123, 567, 123, 567…”)
Oh and there was the one with the really bad lead that one time… let’s not even go there.
Admit it, the extra-long songs by the band still sometimes drive you crazy. Those 12 minute songs aren’t so fun if your stamina is waning at six minutes in. So how can you keep up? You can train and prepare in such a way that they don’t even phase you.
Interval training. Interval training, or HIIT (high-intensity interval training), as it’s also known, is an anaerobic form of exercise that has been proven to improve stamina for aerobic endurance activities. (It also raises metabolism and increases your fat-burning potential - another plus.) Dance is technically an anaerobic form of exercise, because it is often done in bursts of activity followed by rest periods, but it’s not as intense or regulated as deliberate interval training. So, next time you’re in the gym, you might want to try it.
General fitness interval training might consist of walking for one to three minutes, jogging for 30 - 60 seconds, and then walking again (this sequence repeated over a 30 to 60 minute workout). HIIT, which is more intense and more effective, might consist of bouts of running followed by bouts of sprinting. It’s also often done in 2:1 ratios of time (as in, 60 seconds of jogging, 30 seconds of sprinting). HIIT is hard work - but that’s why they call it “workout.” It also offers many benefits that can be reaped by average exercisers, dancers, and trained athletes alike. For workout ideas, including time recommendations for different fitness levels, consult a trainer, or try a Google search.
Hydration. Every function in your body depends on the flow of water. Nothing can replace drinking water. (And, if you drink caffeine, which most people do, you probably need even more water.) Arrive to dance hydrated, and keep drinking throughout the night. Always keep your reusable glass bottle near the dance floor - glass is good because it won’t leach any toxic chemicals into your water, and because it cuts down on plastic waste that accumulates every day in landfills. Getting a glass bottle is easy, too - next time you run out of a recent buy that came in glass, remove the label and keep the glass bottle as a reusable!
A B12 Shot. (No needles necessary.) This vitamin is involved in energy production in your body every day. Rather than doing it celebrity/Hollywood-style and getting an actual shot, you can take a “shot” of B12 through a vitamin supplement.
B12 vitamins are often taken as sublingual supplements, which means that they are dissolved under the tongue, as this has been suggested to increase the speed of absorption into the bloodstream. Additionally, B-complex supplements (also useful for energy) and B12 vitamins offer it in varying amounts, some being very high - there are no known toxic effects from B12, and no known toxic levels of B12 (some sports drinks even contain very high levels). It can be taken in different forms as well - capsule or liquid, for example. Many who take B12 find that the extra energy and mental focus it gives enables them to breeze through workouts (like dancing the night away) without the jittery feeling that comes with caffeine, as well, although it should be noted that this is individual. If you’re interested in taking a “shot” of B12, search around online or at local health food or supplement stores for an amount and price that works for you.
In addition to training and preparing to dance out those long songs, you can also just make sure you’re pacing yourself as you dance, perhaps especially so during shines. And, as always, allow yourself to get lost in the music - when that happens, you sometimes can get to the magic place where you seem to feel no fatigue. You dance so well for so long, and you feel so good, that you’re wondering where all that energy came from. Then, it’s when the song ends that you finally realize “Wow, I’m tired!”
But by then, who cares? You can relax and take a little break - before you get up to do it all over again. May you continue to enjoy many songs, and many long evenings of great music and great dancing.
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