One of the biggest things that will affect your performance is confidence. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be the hardest thing to come by.

If you don’t have confidence in yourself and your ability to dance, it’ll show on stage. You’ll be worried about what everyone is thinking of you, and that you’re going to miss a cue or forget a step, or worse, trip in front of everyone. What’s worse is that the more you think about it, the more likely it will happen, confirming your fears.

So how do you stop the cycle of poor self-confidence? Start with the easy things: make sure you have a killer costume that you’re proud to wear. Whether it’s store-bought, made by you, or assembled from pieces your dance sisters weren’t using, make sure it’s exactly what you want. If you feel you look good, you’ll feel more confident as a dancer. Make your costume and yourself look even better by getting your hair and makeup just right for you. If it helps, do a test-run of your full costume, and strut around the house in it.

The next part is all mental. If you feel yourself start to lose confidence, just remind yourself that no one is really going to notice if you mess up. If you do miss a step or a cue, just think to yourself, “Solo!” and get back on track as soon as you can. Hardly anyone will remember or even notice as long as you look like that was supposed to happen—smiling through the mistake works wonders.

When you start thinking negative thoughts about an upcoming performance, replace them with positive ones. Instead of thinking “I’m going to look terrible out there because my shimmies still don’t look right,” think instead “I’ll look really good when we do chest movements because those are my best moves.”

Whatever you do, don’t compare yourself to other dancers. Remember they were all at the same level you are, and they felt like you felt. They might even still feel like that, if you ask them. Talk to them about your fears, especially if you feel you don’t have something down, and you’ll be surprised at all the kind things they have to say about you and your dancing.

Finally, have fun. This isn’t the last time ever you’re going to dance, so if you feel you didn’t do very well, you can always have another go. Some of the best dancing my troupe has done has been right after that first nerve-wracking set. The second time doesn’t count, so we dance like we’re having the time of our lives, and everyone can tell.

The following is a makeup tutorial that I think tribal dancers will enjoy. The video is by freelance makeup artist Uma Preve who resides in Sweden.

Pay attention to the eyebrows – she does an incredible job of making them longer and fuller.  She focuses on the eyes a lot and uses neutral colors overall.  I love the way she has transformed her jewelry and given them a new purpose.

Tribal Make Up Tutorial

We’re expanding our inventory.  One of our new fabulous items, which happens to look great with the tribal belly dance pants: the  Be Gorgeous bra.  Check it out here:  http://bellydancingdiva.com/dancers-gear/belly-dancing-bra/be-gorgeous/

After attending BDUC this last weekend I realized something.  I’m not really catering this site to the ATSers or the Goth Strong Belly Dancers.   Time to cater to you and lessen the cabaret bling!

I found this makeup tutorial that I think the goth crew may enjoy.  I love the look.

DIRECTIONS
Eyes:

1) Apply Red eyeshadow all over your eyes
2) Apply a purple shadow to the lower lid
3) Recover the purple shadow with a black
4) Add heavy liner both on the bottom and top lash line
5) Mascara it up

Lips:
1) Red the lips!
2) Use a black liner on the lip lines and blend it towards the center of your lips.

This is a Colorful South Asian / Arabic Bridal look, absolutely perfected by MakeupAdikt.

What makes this tutorial unique is that the makeup artist begins her look by applying a blue tinted shade-stick and gold eye pencil on the eye lid, before applying her eye shadows. This helps strengthen the color and really make them pop.

1. Begin by applying primer and/or concealer to hide discoloration on the eyelid and hide fine lines.
2. Tip: Apply tape beginning on the outer edge of your eye, up to the end of your eyebrow. This will help you get a fine, clean line separating the colors from your natural skin. Your eyeshadow otherwise goes all over and you don’t want a purple/blue eyeshadow all over your your eye. This is a simple trick that makes this look beautiful and professional.
3. Apply the light blue shade-stick on 2/3s of the the eyelid. The artist is using MAC shade-stick in “Sea Me”.
4. Apply the gold pencil to the inner corner of your eye. The makeup artist is using Metallic 17. Don’t be concerned about blending colors at this stage.
5. For the crease apply a matt, purple shadow with a brush. Apply it lightly. Continue to the outer corner of your eye, where you’ve applied the tape. The artist is using a limited edition shadow by Barry M pigment in LED2. You can use Electric Purple by Number 7 instead.
6. Utilize a nude eyeshadow to blend the purple up towards your eyebrow a bit. In my opnion, this step is optional.
7. Underneath your brow, apply a gold shimmery highlight – right up to where the tape is on the outer edge of your eye. The artist is using Nylon from MAC.
8. Apply eyeliner on the inner and outer eye. You don’t have to preceise for this look.
9. Now that you have all your shades on your lid, follow the process with the respective eyeshadow shades.  The artist is using MakeupForever, Star Powder for the blue shade and gold shade for the inner tear.  Utilize some of the blue shadow underneath your eye – by your lash line.
10. Finally blend shadow colors, apply liquid liner to the top and eyeliner to the bottom, fill your eyebrows, and finish off the look with mascara.
11. (Optional) The false eyelashes are optional, but they do seem to make this look even more beautiful.

To view more makeup tutorials by this artist, visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/MakeupAdikt

If you liked this makeup tutorial, you will also like: http://bellydancingdiva.com/2010/06/10-simple-steps-to-arabic-eyes/

Dancers love to adorn themselves with jewels and glitter. These decorations highlight the exotic nature of belly dancing and belly dancers. One easy to use adornment is the bindi.

Bindis draw attention to the eyes. Photo by Brandy Lee.

Bindis originated in India, where they are worn as part of the Hindu religion. The bindi, a small glittery decoration worn between and slightly above the eyes on the forehead, represents the third eye of the god Shiva. Shiva, the destroyer, is one of the principle Hindu gods, also associated with fertility and creation.

Shiva takes many forms, among them Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. The third eye of Shiva signifies wisdom and insight.

In India, bindis are signs of good fortune, celebration and auspiciousness, all appropriate for the dancer. The name bindi is from the Sanskrit bindu, or drop.  Originally, bindis consisted of a drop or larger oval of red paint  or powder placed on the forehead. Red is the color of love and strength. This mark is also sometimes known as tika.

In some parts of India, bindis were worn only by married women, to signify their married status. Today that has mostly faded, and bindis are worn by both married and single women or all ages.

The placement of the bindi, in the center of the forehead just above the eyebrows, corresponds to the location of the sixth chakra, known as ajna or agna, associated with wisdom. Some people believe wearing a bindi in this location aids concentration.

This chakra is also thought of as the release point for kundalani energy, which rises from the sacrum and exits the body through the forehead.

Many non-Hindus, both in India and in the United States, wear bindis not as a religious statement, but merely as a fashionable decoration. From Bollywood movies to celebrities such as Gwen Stefani and Julia Roberts, bindis are popular fashion accessories.

Bindis are another way to draw attention to the face and eyes of the dancer. You can find glittery bindis in a variety of colors and shapes, overlaid with small jewels, glitter or sequins. Most of these are self-stick. Simply peel the bindi off its backing and adhere it to your forehead for an instant touch of the exotic.

This is a great instructional video by Marlena.  It’s easy to follow, looks beautiful, and best of all: she uses affordable products!

For a full list of products used, check out: http://www.makeupgeek.com/tutorials/kim-kardashian-vegas-photoshoot-makeup/

1.  Skip the dark lip liner. Dark lip liners only highlight the fine lines around your lips.  Trade your lip liner for a natural looking lipstick or lip polish to make your lips look fuller and younger.

My personal favorite: Bare Escentuals Buxom Lipgloss in Bambi (Amazon)

2.  Trade your powder for liquid foundation. Powder tends to make your skin look matte, dull, and cakey.  Instead opt in for a liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer as they allow the skin to shine through.

My personal favorite: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (Amazon)

3. Curl your lashes. By curling your lashes, you open up your eyes and give you a fresher look. If you can add one to two coats of mascara, even better!

My personal favorite: Shu Uemura Lash Curler (Amazon)

4. Apply concealer to hide dark circles. Dark circles can make you look worn out and tired. A few dabs of conealer can make a big difference to giving you a fresh look.

Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone or is two shades lighter than your foundation. Recessed circles respond better to lighter concealers. Bags, or puffiness under the eyes respond better to darker concealers. Cream concealers are best for underneath the eyes, unless you have dry skin. Choose yellow-based concealers if you have fair skin. Choose orange-based concealers if you have darker skin.

My personal favorite: Smashbox High Definition Concealer (Amazon)

5. Skip the granny panties and wear a thong! I understand that there’s nothing more comfortable than really large granny panties. But they also tend to add 20 years to your age the moment you wear them. Wear a thong underneath your jeans – you won’t show your granny lines – and will instantly feel sexier, lighter, and younger.

My personal favorite: Any thongs sold at Target. They are affordable and go a long way. (Check them Out at Target)

Dancers, I know you will love this look!!!  It’s perfect for Halloween.

Products Used:

Face:

* Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach (Bobbi Brown)
* Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (Estee Lauder) (Amazon) (eBay)
* NARS Loose Powder (Sephora) (eBay)

Eyes:

* MAC Soft Ochre Paintpot (eBay)
* Manly 120 Eyeshadow Palette (eBay)
* MAC Vanilla Eyeshadow
* Black Gel Liner
* NYX False Lashes #186
* Ardell #301 Lashes
* Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara
* Small crystals and lash glue
For a full list of products, check out MakeUpGeek.com.

I love this look, because I think it’s perfect for an outdoor performance.  It’s absolutely beautiful, feminine, and definitely captures the audiences attention.  This is look is done in less than 8 minutes!  The eye products used, include the following.  For a complete list of products used, check out MakeupGeek.com.

• Smashbox Photofinish Eye Primer    (Amazon)
• Smashbox Eye Wish Palette      (Amazon)
• Matte Eyeshadow close to your skin color
• Deep Plum Gel Liner   (Makeup Geek Store)
• Ardell #305 Lashes    (Makeup Geek Store)
• Palladio Felt Tip Eyeliner (to cover false lash line)    (Makeup Geek Store)
• Fiberwig Mascara  (Amazon)