Stage performers know very well that the makeup you wear day-to-day will not work for you on stage.  You may look incredible during the day or even at night with your regular style makeup, but the moment you step on stage with your day-to-day makeup, it will make you look… well, dead.(This does not apply to people who overdo their makeup during the day.)

Your hairstyle is equally important – especially as a belly dancer.  Most likely, you don’t want to simply pull your hair back.  A bad updo may ruin the overall presentation of your performance – sames as true of your makeup.

1) Foundation

I love Lauren’s makeup instructions.  The truth is, she doesn’t need eye make up, because they are just stunning as is.  The following clip shows you how to prepare your face – with foundation and blush.  Now this video is most suited for those looking for a day-to-day look.  My recommendation is to use a darker blush than she recommends and applying more of it.  Remember, your audience has to see you from a distance.

2) Eyes

The key to doing your makeup for a performance is making your eyes pop, highlighting the contour of your face, and make your lips pop.  In other words: lots of dark eye shadows, lots of blush, and lots of dark lipstick.  If you’re makeup challenged and you simply follow these guidelines, you will most likely look like a clown.  So to help you get some ideas, we’ve searched for the best clips we could find on YouTube, so that you can follow simple instructions to make you look stunning.  What I love about the following tip is that it emphasizes the “Arabic Eye” look, which is ideal for belly dancers. Even better, you can learn for free.

Special thanks to Sabina for the great clip.

3) Lips

Applying lipstick is a bit trickier than just putting on a layer.  You need to make sure that your lipstick holds are you’re warming up, sweating on stage, changing costumes, etc.  Here’s a great clip to help you get your lips ready for the show.

4) Hair

As a belly dancer you need to use your hair as a tool.  Your hair is equally important as the shimmy.  Most dancers have medium to long hair, so the following clips are suited for those lengths.  The first clip is absolutely phenomenal – it shows you how to curl your hair without damaging it with heat… and used paper bags.  That’s right – you’ll how to do paper bag curls.  It doesn’t get cheaper than that.  The second clip is a regular, clean, and beautiful hairstyle that requires a bit of heat and a large round brush.  Enjoy.

Paper Bag Curls Video

Simple Hair Sytling Suggestions

5) Perform like a true diva.

Special thanks to Lauren, Michelle, Sarah, and Sabina for posting amazing videos on YouTube and for sharing their talent with us.