International Ballroom

Ballet in the ballroom? Top ways ballet can benefit your ballroom training

Ballet is one of the oldest dance forms in the world! It is also considered the foundation of all dance. From the body lines, to the technique, to even some of the verbiage, we have to give a lot of credit to ballet and its elegance. We spoke with Blake Beardsley, who was a professional dancer for 15 years before taking on the ballroom world, to get his thoughts on how ballet can benefit your ballroom dancing, and what to expect from our BALLET CLASS offering coming to the Mount Pleasant location on Saturday mornings.

There are many similarities between ballroom and ballet. Ballet, though it may look delicate, is a very powerful art form and requires a lot of muscular strength. Similarly, ballroom requires a lot of muscle control to make every move flow effortlessly across the dance floor. From the power required of the legs, to the beauty of the arm styling, to the powerhouse of the core, you will find that ballroom and ballet are almost identical in how your body works. When asked about how ballet training will complement our ballroom training, Blake replied, “Overall, expect to develop core strength, foot strength, an increased range of motion, arm shaping development, and alignment of the spinal cord, just to name a few things.”

We also asked Blake what to expect from the class itself. “This class is going to be a full hour of learning various exercises that will be addressing strength, flexibility, and shaping in a way that is new and different.” Blake advises interested students to wear close fitting clothes…preferably leotards, leggings, tights, skirts, etc. “The goal is to make sure your core is visible and your clothing is easy to move in. Also make sure to have ballet slippers to protect the feet.”

Looking forward to our newest class addition? Stay tuned for details on when we will be starting up with this awesome opportunity! 👍

Coach Spotlight: Linda Dean

We are excited to welcome Linda Dean to our studio! In case you are not familiar with this legend in the industry, take a look at what all she has accomplished.

Linda Dean has spent a lifetime dancing and, almost just as long, with Fred Astaire Dance Studios.

Learning ballet, tap, and jazz when she was five years old, Linda entered the world of ballroom dancing when she was twenty. At that time, staff members at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Philadelphia persuaded her to enter the studio’s training class. From that point on, it wasn’t long before she was on her way. With partner, George Hendrix, Linda competed in the first USDSC in 1971. Placing in the finals that year, Linda and George came back in 1972 to win both the Theatrical and American Style divisions.

In 1975, Linda began her partnership with Vernon Brock. Linda and Vernon won the USDSC’s International Latin division for the next four years. From 1975-1978, they represented the United States in the World Championships, making the finals for all four years.

They continued to do shows until 1984. Presently, she is an adjudicator at major United States and world championships. When judging, Linda looks for timing, characteristics of the dance, and control.

Linda also coaches and is a member of the Fred Astaire Dance Board. Currently based in Arizona, she has been with Fred Astaire Dance Studios all over the United States, including New York, Texas, New Orleans, and Florida.🗺

Some of her accomplishments include:

Former U.S. American Style Champion
U.S. Theater Arts Champion
U.S. International style Latin Champion for four years
Four times a finalist in the World Championship in International Latin
Member of the Fred Astaire Dance Board 25 years
Galaxy Dance Festival, co organizer

If you are interested in getting some good quality coaching, talk to your instructor and get on her schedule!

Dance Travels: What to expect on our “Fun Trips”

Going on a trip can create a lot of stress when it comes to packing; what type of clothes do i need? Did i pack all of my toiletries? HOW MANY PAIRS OF UNDERWEAR AM I GOING TO NEED?! One thing that you never have to worry about packing is your dancing. That can be taken with you everywhere you go! The big question is…where all can you go to dance? We at International Ballroom love to travel…ESPECIALLY to places where we can dance as well. Take a look at what all we really do on our “Fun Trips”

First of all, what is a fun trip? A fun trip usually consists of a weekend out of town fully loaded with tons of dancing packed in. From New York, Chicago, and New Orleans, to as far as Buenos Aires and Europe, we have found dancing fun all around the world for our dance family to participate in!

So now that you know what a fun trip is all about…lets talk about what to expect when you join the International Ballroom dance family on one of their experiences. No matter where you are going or what you are doing on one of these trips, your instructor is going to make you feel like true royalty. You will be catered to 100% of the time. You will also be dancing…A LOT! All of our trips include dancing every day. We will be your personal tour guide in every location and show you various places to dance that you may have never thought would be prime dance spots. Going around town with all of your dance friends “cuttin’ a rug” everywhere you go…what could be more fun?!

So now you are ready to be treated like the king or queen that you truly are…the next question is…where do you want to go? We have a bunch of really fun staple locations that we attend every year. However, we also love planning new fun trips for people to go on. Do you have a certain place that is on your bucket list? We can turn it into a trip of a lifetime filled with your favorite people and dancing! Take a look at all of our fun filled dance adventures we have planned throughout the year on the Dance Travels page. For more details about the various places we go or if you want to plan a fun trip of your own…talk to Lacey and she will be able to answer any question you may have! NOW…pack your bags and let’s go have some FUN!

Trophy Ball? What’s that? Top 6 FAQs answered

Picture this…you have been dancing for about 6 months and are really starting to get the hang of the dances and feel like you are actually DANCING! THEN…your instructor comes up and says to you…”mark your calendar for our Trophy Ball coming up…” and starts talking “gibberish” about this event; buddy teacher? dance entries? JUDGES? First of all…DON’T FREAK OUT! Your teacher isn’t trying to pull a fast one on you and secretly sign you up for a competition or anything. Trophy ball is a Semi-Annual event for our students to show off everything they have been working on for the past 6 months. It is also a GREAT way to benchmark your progress in continuing to build your dances. Here are some of the frequently asked questions so you know what to expect from this event:

Where is this event going to be? We host Trophy Ball at our West Ashley location. This way, we can have both studios in one location for this fun event!
Who all typically attends this event? This event is open to ALL DANCERS in the IBDS family! Whether you are just starting out and wanting to get a base line on your progress, or you have been dancing for years and wanting to keep up with your personal dance goals, we are ready to see you at your best!
How long does it usually take? Typically, our Trophy Ball starts at 3pm on a Saturday. Depending on how many students are dancing, the event usually lasts a few hours. So it is best to eat a big lunch and/or bring something to snack on so you will be full of energy and ready to strut your stuff on the dance floor!
What should I wear? This is your time to make your self known in front of the judge and your peers…so you definitely want to show it with your attire. For beginners and intermediate level students, ladies can wear a cocktail dress or something that isn’t constricting but still looks polished and the men can wear just a simple collared shirt and tie. Typically, our Bronze and above level ladies tend to wear ballroom practice wear (Dance America, Light in the Box, etc) with the appropriate skirt for both rhythm and smooth. And OF COURSE…LADIES SHOULD REMEMBER TO WEAR DANCE PANTS! Advanced gentlemen should invest in some black dance pants like the pros wear, a black dance vest, and a matching shirt & tie (or bow tie if you’re feeling snazzy)!
What else do I need to bring? OBVIOUSLY, you need to have your dance shoes (unless you don’t have any yet of course). Also make sure you are prepared for a cold ballroom! We turn the AC low so that everyone who is dancing a lot of numbers won’t be burning up. Therefore, if you know you will probably be having long periods of sitting down, you will want to bring a jacket, blanket, etc. to keep you warmed up and ready to dance! Also be sure to bring anything extra your instructor may request (skirts, tights, DANCE PANTS, etc).

REMEMBER…no one is there to judge you harshly! This event is designed to get constructive criticism from a different set of eyes with all of your IBDS dance family! This is a chance for you to accomplish your dance goals in a comfortable environment. However, if you have any additional questions that arise, please talk to your instructor or drop a comment below!

Coach Spotlight: Rufus Dustin

Rufus Dustin, a World Dance Council (WDC) professional, provides coaching and choreography for some of the best Professional and Amateur competitive dancers in the world. He routinely acts as an adjudicator at some of the most prestigious dance competitions around the globe. Rufus has been certified as an adjudicator by the National Dance Council of America (NDCA), the World Dance Council (WDC), and Fred Astaire Dance Studios Inc. in International Style Standard, International Style Latin, American Smooth, American Rhythm, and Theater Arts. As a Professional dancer, Rufus competed nationally and internationally, attaining titles in International Latin, American Rhythm and Theater Arts. He has performed all over the world, including special presentations at the Blackpool Dance Festival.

Dustin’s roots lie in ballet. It was only during a summer break from a ballet company that Dustin ran across an opportunity for a teaching gig at a local Ballroom Dance studio. Never did he imagine this summer fling would soon become the love of his life. Dustin went from dancing ballet in Boston to winning the first American Style DanceSport Championship in 1974 in just a few short years.👍

Dustin kept with ballroom over ballet throughout the rest of his dancing career. “In the other performing dance arts, modern, jazz, ballet, the subject is about your own sort of absorption as a dancer. It’s just about you, just your dancing. I was so excited about the idea in the Ballroom world… to recreate mythically what Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly did in the movies, who I always admired greatly. The dancing came from such a different place, because you had to be concerned not only about yourself, but also about this woman in your arms. I found that, and still to this day, find that magical. It’s what’s kept me Ballroom Dancing for all these years.”

Some of his many accomplishments:

2-time World Exhibition/Cabaret Champion
2-time United States National Professional American Style Champion (Rhythm and Smooth) (1974 – 1975)
North American Latin Champion
North American 10-Dance Champion
United States Champion
Blackpool Dance Festival Champion
Multi-time Lecturer at the World Ballroom Dancing Congress in Blackpool, England

What is a F.R.A.M.E?

Frame. One of the most essential tools for a ballroom dancer…and probably one of those things you hear about in EVERY lesson you are in! But what exactly goes into building a good dance frame? One of our students created a great acronym for you to use as a mental checklist when practicing all of your dances with your partner.

F: Focus on communicating with your partner—When dancing with another person, frame is the ultimate communication tool we have. It’s how the leader tells their partner exactly where they need to go. Yet, for most, it is the one factor that tends to fall the most. We think of the footwork, the timing, the posture, the head position, etc…but without the frame, we lose our partner in the mix of it all. Whether you are the leader or a follower, your frame is the open line of communication that should never break. The man is the sturdy frame that holds the beautiful picturesque woman.

R: Radius of frame should remain big to facilitate communication—Whether dancing smooth or rhythm, your frame needs to stay big and stretched the entire time. One of the first things that tend to drop while moving are the ELBOWS! The elbows drop to the side and moving around becomes more of a chore than effortless. When you stretch your arms out from your sides and keep them up as parallel to floor as possible. BUT the key is to also not stretch them to where your elbows are behind you…that can pull the lady off of her balance. You want to extend out and toward your partner to create a radius that is balanced between both you and your partner so both of you are in balance.

A: Attach and establish firm connection to your partner—Since the frame is THE MOST IMPORTANT tool when it comes to dancing with a partner, it makes sense that connecting to your partner is absolutely necessary to communicate with your partner. For the ladies, making sure to have their left hand on the man’s shoulder and maintaining as much arm connection as possible will strengthen the line of communication. For men, making sure to attach to the ladies shoulder blade with the right hand and keeping the left hand at the ladies eye level will keep the lady more in tune to what you want her to do.

M: Maintain strong frame throughout your dances—As we know, we all start out with everything in place and “perfect”…then we start moving. All of a sudden, the frame drops, the eyes go down, the posture weakens, and it’s tough to bring it back up…which makes sense considering EVERYTHING ELSE you are thinking about. But remember, the frame is ESSENTIAL in communicating through dance. The more you practice maintaining frame, the better communication you will have with your partner!

E: Engage posture, sternum up, head high and belly tight!—This is ultimately the best thing to think before you walk into a lesson, perform your showcase, or walk out onto the competition floor! As mentioned in the other letters for F.R.A.M.E, standing tall and erect are essential…and keeping your core engaged (belly tight) is a big part in maintaining good frame and posture.

Who is Ready for a SHOW?! What to expect from our Showcases

When it comes to events, International Ballroom Dance Studios REALLY knows how to do it up! When you come to a showcase in our studio, there is no doubt in mind that you will be anything less than impressed and have a truly unforgettable evening. We host 4 showcases throughout the year, each with different and exciting perks. Let’s take a look at the various types of showcase events we have so you know what to expect.

Showcase Spectacular (mid March): kicking off our showcase season, this low-key cocktail party will definitely make for a very fun and unique date night! With your entry, you get to see a phenomenal 1 Act show full of both student and professional numbers, followed by an hour and a half dance party with all of the cast who performed as well as your favorite instructors. With it being a more intimate setting, this allows the performers and spectators more opportunities to dance with everyone! Enjoy a cocktail with your IBDS comrades and get the chance to dance dance dance!

Red Carpet Extravaganza (mid April): This event invokes everything that is in the name! This event starts in the early evening and will be one very special night for all! Take a walk down our red carpet and get your photo taken by our professional photographer. As you walk into the beautifully decorated tent, you will be able eat, drink, and socialize with your entire dance family. Walk inside, and you will be able to enjoy general dancing until the show! Then…its SHOWTIME! You will get to enjoy a full blown 2 Act show with both student and professional numbers with an intermission to replenish your beverages, eat some more delicious food, etc. This showcase is great for ANYONE who wants to both participate or spectate as it is truly and EXTRAVAGANZA!

Fall Dance Fair(NEW!!! October): This Fall Carnival style event is our newest addition to our showcase season! Similar to the red carpet set up, you will “fall” in love with this casual yet fun setting. Imagine walking up to the studio and catch the smell of fresh kettle corn popping and delicious barbecue. With fun and festive fall-inspired decor, you will feel like you walked right into the county fair. And, given that Halloween is right around the corner, you will have a full blown 2 Act show filled with some ghoulish showcases as well as many other exciting routines, INCLUDING our always popular Ladies formation! So dust off your cowboy (or cowgirl) boots and get your best flannel ready for this inaugural event!

Holiday Ball (November): As we enter the Holidays, we want to kick off the season of giving with a special gift of our own. Our Holiday Ball is truly a magical night. This exclusive night includes a fully catered dinner, a fun and festive showcase, as well as 2 hours of general dancing with ALL of the dance family! Could it get any better? OF COURSE! On top of the amazing and memorable night, all of the proceeds we raise go directly to the Jenkins Institute for Children. By the end of the night, your heart will be full of happiness and cheer knowing you not only had blast, but that you also are supporting such a great cause!

Be Healthy, STAY HEALTHY…Top tips to be in tip-top shape

We at International Ballroom pride ourselves on keeping a clean and safe ballroom for all who walk into our doors. With all of this uncertainty of what is going to happen with the pandemic we are currently facing, we want to make sure the well-being of both our IBDS family and staff is our number one priority. So, to prevent from spreading ANY illness, we have comprised a list of ways to keep both you and others as healthy as possible!

COVER YOUR COUGH!: According to the CDC, you should always be sure to cover your cough or sneeze. They mention using a tissue and to throw away the tissue immediately after use. However, you may not always have a tissue around when you feel the need to sneeze or cough. The next best alternative is to do, what I like to call, the “vampire cough”. Our hands are the easiest way to transmit diseases and illnesses and…in our industry…we do a lot of hand touching! So, the best alternative could be to cough into the bend of your arm like a vampire. It will help prevent the immediate spread of germs as much. However, remember to always sanitize your hands afterwards…no matter how you sneeze or cough!
BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!: We know…for some people, dancing is one of the biggest highlights of their week. HOWEVER, again…remember we are in the people business!
- If you are feeling sick, stay at home! Trust me, we understand people get sick. And, to put it in perspective, though you may feel bad for potentially cancelling your lesson, remember that your instructor is going to be around way more people throughout the day. Also, to keep yourself as healthy as possible, be sure to stay out of large crowds. Our studios can have as many as 5-6 lessons going on at a time. WHICH MEANS…anywhere from 10-15 people will be on the floor at a time; not to mention the 20-30 people at our social dance parties. So the best thing to do is to just rest up at home and see us when you are healthy!
- Delivery over dining in is another great alternative. In these modern times, we have the blessing of being able to order just about anything right at our fingertips! Delivery services such as GrubHub, DoorDash and UBER Eats are doing everything they can to provide the safest option for food delivery. They have many local restaurants within their network and will be happy to deliver the food right to your door! Also, many local grocery stores provide the service of ordering online and/or delivering to your car or even doorstep! So be smart, and help the cause to prevent the spread of germs and disease! Also take a look at the article from Charleston City Paper to see what other restaurants are participating in curbside service to help keep Charleston healthy!
PRACTICE HEALTHY ROUTINES!: Even if you are healthy, you want to make sure you STAY HEALTHY! So be sure to do the following things.
- Be sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep. According to Healthline, getting the right amount of sleep helps boost your immune system! “When you sleep, your immune system releases compounds called cytokines. Some cytokines have a protective effect on your immune system by helping it to fight inflammation, including inflammation due to infection. Without enough sleep, you may not have enough cytokines to keep you from getting sick. Other components of the immune system, like antibodies and white blood cells, can be reduced over time without enough sleep.”
- Exercising regularly is also a great option. We know dancing is a great form of exercise for many reasons! However, in the event you can’t come to the studio, going to the gym or even taking 20-30 minutes out of your day to work out does a huge amount for your immune system and overall health. According to Healthline, exercising can help with weight loss, developing strong bones and muscles, reduce risk of chronic disease, help with relaxation and sleep quality along with many other great benefits.
- Keeping your house clean is definitely a must! If you are going to be staying away from the general population and self quarantining, why not be productive! Wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant, leave no dirty dishes in the sink, wash your clothes, dust your vents and ceiling fans, vacuum…you get the idea. This will not only keep germs at bay, it will also give you peace of mind knowing you have a sparkling home once again!
DANCE AT HOME!: We know, this can be a very hard thing to do without the help of your awesome IBDS instructors. But what if i told you that you can at least review your dance steps and keep practicing what you know? Dance Vision, the company whose syllabi we utilize in our studios, is offering a free 30-day trial to access all of their videos…NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED! That means you can keep on with your dancing training even in the confinement of your (hopefully now clean) home! You may even find some other dances you may want to get into.

Though times are a little shaky right now, just know you will always have your dance family to rely on and help you! We care about our students and staff and wish good luck and good health to all of you! TAKE CARE AND STAY HEALTHY!

Benefits to introducing social dance into your lives

Take the first step on your dance journey…

Life can be so crazy at times; working all day, taking care of the family, cleaning the house, making sure all necessities are handled, etc. But what about time for you? What about something that can be just for you? Ballroom dancing could be just the thing. Trying a new hobby such as dance can bring a whole new world of benefits and give you a new and unique personal challenge! Take a look at what to expect when getting started with us in introducing you to the joys of the ballroom dance world!

Our introductory program is where you will begin your journey. This program consists of 2, 25-minute private lessons, as well as a group class and a social dance party. Here, you will be able to get a feel of everything we can provide for you as well as get a taste for what you like and want to pursue.

Private lessons: On your first lesson, you will sit down with your instructor and be able to talk about what you are wanting to achieve for the program. Think of this as a sampler platter. In your 2, 25-minute lessons, you will get the chance to explore the 6 major social dances; waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, rumba, swing, salsa. You will get to see what kind of dances you like and want to further develop on your road to dance. Maybe you have a particular dance in mind you have always wanted to learn…we can help with that too! For example, say you have always wanted to learn our state dance, the shag! Our team at IBDS will be able to show you the foundations, as well as recommend what other dances complement this style (ex: rumba, cha-cha, foxtrot, etc). Remember, this is JUST AN INTRODUCTION! We want to get you introduced to the world of dancing, but we cannot teach you everything there is to know in the Introductory Program; this is just the tip of the iceburg…the beginning of your dance journey! This is the chance for both you & your instructor to get to know eachother and find out how ballroom dancing can add to your life. We want to make sure you will be getting the most customized instruction for your goals in dance!

Group Class: We have group classes designed for every level of dancer! The class we recommend for the newly introduced dancer is our Newcomers class! In this class, you will get a chance to review what you learned in your private lessons…OR gives you a chance to learn something new! Sure, it may be different from your private lessons…but this is only going to help you on your journey! You are going to be in a class with people who are at the same level as you. This will also build the strength in how you dance with someone else. You get the chance to dance with other partners, which will build your leading/following skills. And, as an added perk, you get to get to know your new dance family! Take a look at our group class blog for more information: https://internationalballroom.net/uncategorized/top-3-benefits-to-group-classes/

Social Dance Party: It’s just as it sounds, A PARTY! We dim the overheads, switch the laser lights on and play a BUNCH of different music for you to dance what you have been learning in your lessons. We announce the different dances that are coming on, you get to dance with all of our dance family and practice what you know without the “eagle eye” of the teacher staring at you! It is a low-key environment with no judgment so all levels are welcome! It’s a great place to really practice what you know in the best of company! Take a look at the top benefits to coming to our social dance parties: https://internationalballroom.net/uncategorized/get-out-there-and-dance-top-benefits-to-go-out-and-dance/

Our introductory program is the best way to learn about what ballroom dancing can do for you! If you are ready to take the first step on your dancing journey, you can get your start here:

https://internationalballroom.net/product/introductory-course-gift-certificate/

We look forward to meeting you soon and helping you find that “moment for you”!

Look like a STAR! The basic how-to for an amazing showcase look

It’s showcase time! It’s time to show off your dance moves for all of your dance family to see! However, your dance moves aren’t the only thing people are going to be “oohing and ahhing” over. Your costume has been perfected and every hair has been put in place…now what about your makeup? Your makeup is what will take your look to the next level and make you feel like the dancing goddess you already are! Take a look at our step-by-step instructions on creating that star-studded look!

Before going through the following steps, one thing we always recommend our ladies to do is to get a spray tan! This will further define your muscles and contour your body to look your absolute best!

Step 1: take care of your skin! Be sure to go through your skincare routine.

Be sure to wash your face (of course) and also exfoliate!
- Exfoliating helps prepare your skin for makeup.
Finally, be sure to moisturize your face. Make sure to find a moisturizer that matches your skin type. This will help you create an even canvas to work off of.

If you don’t have a skincare routine and are looking for the best products for your specific skin type, go to the following website and take a short quiz to get a customized list of products for you:

https://www.ulta.com/innovation/skincare-advisor/?source=vba

Step 2: Start with the eyes: Eyeshadow gets messy sometimes, eyeliner never seems to go as planned…sometimes you have to fix and adjust to create the perfect look! So starting with the eyes allows for mistakes without having to redo anything with your face makeup.

Pro-tip: using simple scotch tape from the corner of your eye to the end of the brow can help create a super crisp line and more professional look.
Reminder: This is for dramatic makeup, not just a “night on the town”. So remember, More is better!

To start, use some eyeshadow primer on the lid up to the brow. Remember, your makeup is going to need to stay looking amazing for a while. That means going through the process of run throughs, changing into your costume, socializing, sweating, etc. You will need your makeup to last for hours and making sure it looks like you just did it. Eye primer will not only help with that, but will allow for even distribution of shadow and keep it looking vibrant the whole time!

Now it’s time to add shadow. Always start from the outside working in.

Start with a white all above the lid and up to the brow line. This is going to help with the blending process. It Will also help to highlight the brow line and make your eyes look bigger!
Moving on to the crease line, you will want to start with a slate grey/light charcoal with an eyeshadow blending brush. Starting from the middle and moving outward, define your crease. Then, move in with the black shadow with an eye contour brush to further define your crease. A little black does go a long way! Use the blending brush and brush outward and around to create the “smokey eye” effect.
- You may have to go back and use more white and light grey…and that is OK! Blending is your best friend when making a beautiful eye look!
Now its time for the lid! Use a light grey for the whole lid with a simple eyeshadow brush. Then, blend outward from the top of the lid to the crease to create a nice, blended look

Next, eyeliner. Remember, the bolder the better! (we are going to do a cat-eye as an example)

Start with the top lash line. Moving as close to the lash line as possible, go from the end to end and extend beyond the outer lash line toward the brow (about ¼ of the way)
- Remember, with scotch tape, you can still have a crisp line without being perfect!
Next, bolden the line. Start from the outside and work your way in. You want the boldness to taper the closer inward you get. So, the best thing to do is start from the tip most outward and create a thin triangle toward about the middle of your lash line and color in from there.

Finally, fake lashes (optional) and mascara!

If adding fake lashes, the first thing you may need to do is clip the lashes to fit your lid. Nothing is more annoying than a fake lash poking you in the eye for hours!
- Clip from the inner part and be sure you are putting the correct lash on the correct lid.
Next, add the glue. DON’T attempt to put the lash on immediately! Let the glue get tacky first. This will allow a clean application.
Next, apply the last starting from the inside out while closing the eye you are applying to. Stay close to the lash line and take your time! Fan the lash with your hand to ensure it is dried and in place before blinking.
Once the lashes are added, apply your favorite mascara to blend your lashes together!

Step 3: Move on to the rest of the face! Use your preferred makeup remover wipes and wipe off any excess eyeshadow from your face and, if used, remove the scotch tape.

Start with a face primer. This is going to create a smooth canvas so you can apply your makeup evenly.
Next, apply your color corrector/concealer. This is going to be used under your eyes and on any skin blemishes you may have to keep an even coloring.
Next you will apply a foundation on the entire face to create a neutral canvas.
- Optional: applying a translucent setting powder after the foundation will keep the foundation in one place faster.
Next, we want to contour the face. Using a bronzer or contour palette, you want to carve out the “natural shadow” of your face. Take the dark color with a face contour brush and tap into the temples, under the cheek and jaw bone, and on each side of the bridge of the nose. Remember, you want to define these spots and not blend just yet.
Next is time for the highlighting. Using a highlighting powder and using a highlighter brush, tap onto the opposite spots you tapped the contouring powder; T-zone, on top of cheek bone, top of the bridge of the nose, etc.
Now it is time to blend everything together! Take a powder brush and draw little circles all over the face going from center out and upward until all is blended together!
- You can always add more highlighter once the blending is done to add more “glow” to your face!
Next, add your blush. Smile big so you can accent your cheek bones! Tap 3 circles with a blush brush starting from center toward ear then blend from the center outward in small circles.

Step 4: Finally, it is LIP TIME! A bold lip will really take this already fabulous look to the next level! You can use a lip liner if desired to draw out your lip line or just go straight to the lipstick. Find a long-lasting lipstick and be sure to reapply just before walking onto the floor! It is always best to use a bold color such as a bright red or pink depending on your costume color.

Ways to take your look even further: Glitter and rhinestones always make the look even more extravagant!

Add glitter to the lid for an additional pop and shine.
Add some rhinestones to the corner of your eyes as well as your hair using eyelash glue for some extra embellishment.

Remember, this look is about making YOU look amazing on the floor! Customize the look to fit you and your comfort level with makeup. The main things to accentuate are your eyes, cheeks and lips! Take a look at our video tutorial on how all of these tips and tricks will create a phenomenal look on the dance floor!

If you have any additional questions, drop a comment in our blog and we will be sure to respond! Also be sure to go to your local ULTA store or MAC counter to get additional help on your makeup needs!

https://www.ulta.com/

https://www.maccosmetics.com/