Competition Hair & Make up …worth thinking about
by Izabela Hannah

Hair and Make Up is a very important part of our dancing,So can you afford not to think about it? How many hours did you spend on the dance floor practicing your steps and movements to perfection? How many minutes did you spend thinking about your image, how you are going to look on the day...?

When YOU LOOK GOOD people will react to how you look. And this will make YOU FEEL GOOD all day long! When you feel good and strong, everything is possible and you can get what you want! That is why I, with my friend Marija who is a Top Stylist in "Tony & Guy" started "IMages" Hair Up & Make Up for Competitions - to help dancers to achieve what they want and to create a perfect look on that important day.The purpose of this article is to share with you a few tips that I hope will help you in the future to look and feel great at that competition!

So, check out my beauty secrets and start your preparation for the competition!

Foundation:
Foundation is one of the most important cosmetics you will purchase and use. It is absolutely imperative that you pick the right shade of foundation. Pick a shade lighter than your skin tone and try to stay away from reddish or pink tones, as they tend to look very "pink" and ruddy in artificial lighting, and can make your skin appear uneven and flushed.

Foundation application technique
It is not negotiable that you apply your foundation with a makeup pad. There are some really excellent sponge makeup applicators right now that are available in the shops. Makeup sponges create a wonderful, even finish since they make it nearly impossible to put too much foundation on, due to their absorption of excess liquid. Be sure to thoroughly blend the makeup with the sponge, covering each and every area of the face evenly and equally, including right up to the hairline, and even on the neck, so that there is not an obvious "line" where your foundation ends and your real neck colour begins!

Use powder…
I believe powder is absolutely essential - it not only gives your face a smooth finish but it also helps your makeup last. Be sure to use one with a silky, smooth texture. Try a yellow-based powder - it's much more flattering than a pink based or translucent powder.

Eyeliner application technique
Eyeliner is a great cosmetic for accentuating, dramatising, and bringing out your natural eye colour and enhancing or even changing the shape of the eye. As with all other essential cosmetics, there is a specific technique for getting perfect results from eyeliner application.

Start with a sharp eyeliner pencil, lining the rim of your eye as close to the lower row of eyelashes as you can get without getting any of the cosmetic in your eye. With a sponge-tipped cosmetics smudge, gently smudge the line you created using a gentle horizontal back and forth movement. You should always smudge your eyeliner at least a little bit - more if you want it more dramatic, or smoky looking. Eyeliner that has not been smudged looks too artificial and severe. You don’t want to look artificial-do you?! If you want to make your eyes appear larger, use a bright white eye liner pencil (I know it seems weird, but trust me on this) on the very inner corners of the lower lid. This is a great trick that makeup artists use to create an optical illusion that the eyes are larger and brighter in colour.

Give your eyes a lift
If you want to "play up" your eyes, choose an eye colour formula you're comfortable with - whether it's a pencil, gel eyeliner, or shadow - and line from one corner of your eye to the other. Don't stop halfway across because it'll just make your eyes look smaller.

Eye shadow blending and applying tricks
The whole point of eye shadow is to draw attention to the eyes and to give the eyes more definition. Remember that you are performing quite a distance from judges and audience (think about Blackpool). You need to add more depth and dimension to your eyes and make them appear larger! However, not all eye shadows make the eyes look defined and beautiful. Only when eye shadow is applied correctly, in the right shade, you can get a stunning effect!

The first rule of thumb for this excellent and versatile, face altering cosmetic is to stay away from colours with pink, red or auburn hues, as these do not flatter most skin types. These tones actually tend to bring out the red, bloodshot look in the eyes, and make the eyes appear smaller than they really are, which I don't think is what any dancers are aiming for! Whether you wear browns, blues, greys or purples, make sure you have a nice pale nude or near white, slight shimmer for the tops of your eyes, near the brow bone.

Some of the new shimmer eye creams and squeeze tube liquid matte eye shadows are also great for non-crease and lasting colour - just be careful not to load up too much or it will look creased. When choosing an eye shadow, the most important thing to do is to choose colours that complement each other and goes with the colour of your dress.

Excellent eye shadow tips:
" The point is to look fresh and natural and to draw attention to the eyes!"

• Put powder on the eye lid before putting on eye shadow. It will make the colour last longer and will keeping it from creasing.
  
• To make the eyes ‘pop’, apply some sheer eye shadow underneath your eyes. It will give the illusion of very bright, alert eyes.
• Always correspond the eye shadow you are wearing to compliment the other makeup colours you are wearing, such as lipstick and blush.
• When all else fails, try white eye shadow. It will make you feel and look vivacious.
  

Smoky eyes...
Smoky eyes! I love them! (If you notice I almost always wore them in "Strictly Come Dancing"). It is one of the most popular looks out right now... a great combination of looking sexy and sophisticated at the same time! Fantastic for Latin-American dancers! But if you do it wrong you will look like you ran into a door knob!

One more tip…bronzer…
Don’t exaggerate with bronzer!
Some Ladies use WAY too much bronzer...you know - they're the ones that look orange!

Tips for the men:

• Men should shave shortly before a competition.
• Men should examine their skin and if they have red spots or blemishes, a make-up base should be applied to help hide any flaws.
• Foundation make-up should be blended at the jaw line, so that there is no demarcation between the face and the neck.
• Schedule any haircuts at least 4-5 days prior to your competition day to avoid that "skinned look".

Hair tips:

• Before competition wash, condition and blow-dry only short hair, never wash long hair on the same day!- it’s makes it hard to put hair up!
• Try not to backcomb, pull your hair into a tight knot or try very unconventional styles that involve twisting and tugging your hair unless it's necessary.
• Always use lots of good strong hair spray, gel, and a low heat too. Make sure your hair style will last all day long! Hair flailing about and hitting your partner's face looks very unprofessional.
• Always try to put hair up - especially Ballroom ladies because this helps to expose your neck and shoulder line and makes you look very elegant!
• Try to practice your hair style a minimum of two weeks before competition-to avoid stress and panic on the competition day!
  

I hope I have helped you to realise a few things and I am looking forward to seeing outstanding looking dancers on the floor!

For any advice and help, or to book a consultation - you can always contact me on my mobile.07958 646408 or e-mail: izabelahannah@aol.com or visit our
website - www.The2Hannahs.com