COMPETITIVE EDGE
.Getting Ready for Competition.
It's the night before a feis, and your nerves are jittery. You're probably in an uncomfortable hotel room, and can't stop thinking about the competition tomorrow morning. Here are some things to do to help calm yourself down for a good night's sleep, and prepare you for the feis the next day.
Mud Mask
A great way to relax and prep your face for the competition tomorrow - I love the way it feels when you wash the mask off, it definetly puts me in a happy, more relaxed mood.
Yoga
To relax yourself right before bedtime, yoga is wonderful. Even better, you don't have to take classes to learn how to do yoga - there are tons of videos you can get, or you can check out instructional websites like this one. Even if yoga isn't your thing, some simple stretching (you know, that stuff you do before you dance) can really calm you down.
Phone
Call home - see what's up with your dad and/or brothers. Call a good friend just to chat. If you're in the same hotel as some of your dance friends, call them (as long as it's not too late!) and make some plans, like where to meet each other at the feis, or where to go to dinner after the competitions are over.
Television
Every single feis I go to, I watch Zoro on the Disney Channel the night before. That is such a good show! Anyways, TV can help you relax just by taking your mind away from feis thoughts.
Tanner
If you use self tanner, this is the perfect time to apply it. I've never used it myself so I can't tell you exactly how to go about it, but this site offers some great tips.
Dinner
No matter what you do, make sure you eat a healthy dinner. Pasta is always a good bet, but eat whatever you like. But before you eat that double cheesburger and fries, think about how your stomach is going to feel tomorrow when you're hopping around the stage. Also be sure to drink a lot - and continue throughout the day tomorrow.
Sleep
Sleep is the most important thing to do before a feis. You'll need all your energy for dancing, so tonight probably isn't a good night to go see a 10:00pm movie or party with your friends.
Take care, and good luck!
.Feis Day Dress.
Merriam-Webster defines a trend as a prevailing tendency or inclination. With that in mind, know that what follows is merely a statement of what many dancers tend to wear at feiseanna based on personal preference and comfort. After all, these are the two most important things.
We all know that Irish dance dresses are not exactly the most comfortable things to wear, so like most other dancers, you alternate throughout the day between dance dress and street clothes when you have a break.
But what clothes are the easiest, most comfortable things to wear, that still allow you to make quick costume changes? I've thought about this, and realized that I wear almost the same thing to every feis. See below for my "feis-day dress:"
Comfortable Shoes
These are from Payless. The fact that they are backless is also helpful, so between shoe changes I don't have to worry about tying and un-tying them.
Shorts
These are from Delias. Or pants, although the feis is usually either outside in the summer in inside a heated/air conditioned building - whatever you're most comfortable in. Just slip them on over your bloomers, slip 'em off when it's time to dance.
Tank Top
This one is from J Crew. I love tank tops because you can keep them on under your dance dress, so you never have to pull anything over your wig.
Hoodie
This one is from Delias. Since wearing only a tank top can get chilly (esp. in places where they turn the AC on full blast!) a hoodie is nice to have. Even better - it zips up, so no pulling it over your wig!
Sunglasses
These are from Adidas. You don't really need these unless the feis is and outdoors one.
For more about competition dance dresses, click here.
.Makeup.
***Please note: Everyone has different ideas about how much makeup is necessary when on stage. The makeup routine below would probably be considered the maximum amount someone would wear - you can delete the steps you feel are unnecessary based on age and personal preference.***
Step 1 - Cleanse
Before putting any makeup on, make sure that your skin is clean. The pic above shows the Clinique 3-step skincare line; a facial soap, toner, and moisturizer.
Step 2 - Foundation
Use foundation to even out your skin tone and cover any blemishes. Pick a color that is close to your natural skin color. Use a makeup sponge to distribute the foundation evenly.
Step 3 - Blush
Blush is important so that you don't appear lifeless on stage. It helps to smile when putting on blush so that you can see exactly where the apples of your cheeks are. Sweep the blush from the apple all the way up to your hairline, and blend well.
Step 4 - Powder
Apply powder either with a large makeup brush or the pad that comes with it. Powder helps to set your foundation and blush in place.
Step 5 - Bronzer
If you put self-tanner on your legs the night before, it's a good idea to put some bronzer on your face so that the skin tones on your legs and face are more similar. Use a large makeup brush to sweep the bronzer across your cheeks, nose, and forehead, and blend well.
Step 6 - Eyeliner
Eyeliner is used to help define the eyes so they appear better from onstage. I use an eyeliner pencil because I find it the easiest to apply, but there are also liquid liners. Try to get the line as close to your eye as possible (without actually touching your eye, of course!). To learn more about how to apply eyeliner correctly, check out this site.
Step 7 - Eyeshadow
The best way to use eyeshadow is to pick a few shades that compliment your eye color. Just because you have an electric blue solo dress does not mean you need electric blue eyeshadow! (Although if it looks good on you, go for it!) Take your darkest shade and apply it directly on the lid of your eye, using either an eyeshadow applicator, brush, or your finger. Then take a lighter shade and apply it to the crease of your eyelid. For a final touch, you can take a little bit of white eyeshadow and put it right under neath the arch of your eyebrow. It really helps to highlight and open up the eye area.
Step 8 - Eyebrow Pencil
If you have really light colored eyebrows or if you want them more defined, use an eyebrow pencil that is slightly darker than your normal hair color.
Step 9 - Mascara
Put on one coat, wait a minute for it to dry, and put on another coat to make it darker. Black are brown are good colors to use.
Step 10 - Lip Liner
Line your lips, and then fill in your lips with the liner so they "pop" even more.
Step 11 - Lipstick
Choose a lipstick color that is very close to your lip liner, and then apply one or two coats on top, either straight out of the tube or using a lipstick makeup brush.
Step 12 - Lip Gloss
Put a coat of lip gloss on top of everything to finish it off and add some extra shine.
Step 13 - Glitter
If you like, add some glitter to your eyes or cheeks for some sparkle.
Step 14 - Blotting Papers
Throughout the day, use blotting papers to soak up any oil or sweat without having to redo any of your makeup.
The Clinique 3-Step Skincare line can be found at www.clinique.com.
All other makeup items on this page can be found at www.sephora.com.
.Wigs.
| PROS: | CONS: |
*Easy to use (no hours curling hair)
*Always look sharp (don't get limp after hours of dancing)
*Less embarrasing (no more going into restaurants with a head full of curlers!) |
*Expensive
*Doesn't always suit the dancer (i.e. - 7 year old girls with huge wigs look ridiculous)
*Needs occassional re-curling |
In my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons, and I would definetly suggest getting a wig. Some people complain how expensive wigs are, but think about it - you buy the wig once, and then you are done. If you curl your hair, you'll need to keep buying more gel, hairspray, end papers, hairnets, curlers, etc.
Just because you have a wig, though, doesn't mean you need the biggest, poofiest, longest thing you can buy. Nothing looks more ridiculous than a dancer with hair the size of Texas on top of her head. The most important things to look for are:
Length
You can always ask the salesperson to trim the wig for you. Realistically, you don't want it to go farther than your shoulders.
Color
Please, please, please get a wig that matches your hair color. I don't care that blondes have more fun - if you have dark hair, get a dark wig. If you have light hair, get a light wig. End of story. Of course, if the color is a little off, that's ok since you won't see very much of your natural hair anyway. Have the salesperson help choose a color that matches the best - some wig vendors even have wigs with highlights in them if you have highlighted hair. It's best to check out a bunch of samples (i.e. - if you have brown hair, don't just pick up the first brown one you see and buy it).
Ringlet Style
Firstly, make sure you're buying a wig with ringlets, not big wavy curls. There are basically two types of ringlets - skinny, coil-like ones, or long "sausage"-like ones. Both look great onstage, so it's really a matter of personal preference.
Where to Buy
Three great wig vendors are:
Broga Rince
Youngblood Haircutters
Wigging Out
.Diet and Food Choices.
The great thing about being a dancer is that we can eat almost anything that we want, because we exercise so often. But that doesn't mean we should always eat what we want. And what are the best types of foods to eat before, during, and after competition or dance class?
Everyday Snacking
| When You're Craving: | Try: |
| ice cream | yogurt or frozen yogurt |
| chips, fries | microwave popcorn |
| Coke or Sprite | sparkling water, iced tea |
| cookies | rice cakes, Fig Newtons |
| candy | strawberries, fruit |
Before a Dance Class
(I'm going to make an assumption here and assume that most people have dance classes in the evening on weeknights.)
Early in the day: Make sure to eat breakfast and lunch to fuel your body for the day. It's also important to stay hydrated - drink water throughout the day if possible. If your class is really late, eat dinner too. Just make sure you're not eating a huge meal right before dancing.
One & a half - one hours before class: Have an energy packed snack. Fruit is always a good choice, also make sure you are getting some carbohydrates. Examples are peanut butter and jelly sandwich, NutraGrain bars, an apple and a bagel, etc. Also make sure you drink something (Gatorade, water).
Half hour before class: Keep drinking, you want to be well hydrated before you start dancing. (When you are in class and become thirsty, you are already beginning to get dehydrated. Find out more about dehydration here). If you are hungry, have another small snack such as a piece of fruit. Don't have anything really greasy or spicy - you'll be uncomfortable when you dance.
Before a Competition
The night before a competition, you'll want to have a healthy meal that includes lots of carbohydrates. A good bet is pasta. Don't forget to include some veggies and fruits as well. (No, apple pie a la mode doesn't count as a fruit. Sorry;-) Again, stay hydrated.
The morning of, you'll want a good breakfast. I know so many feises are in good hotels where there are eggs, bacon, and sausage galore that is ohh so tempting, but think about how uncomfortable you will feel while dancing if you eat a large, greasy breakfast. Instead, have some fruit, a bagel, toast, or even pancakes, so long as they are not drenched in syrup or butter. Have a big glass of orange juice, milk or water as well.
During Dance Class
Unless you are at a very long workshop, you probably won't want to eat anything during class. You will, however, want to stay hydrated. Bring a water bottle or sports drink with you, and take sips from it often. You won't want to gulp it all down in one swig, though, because then you'll have liquid sloshing around in your stomach while you dance. Not fun.
During a Competition
What to eat at a feis is largely a matter of personal preference. I have a friend who would only eat chocolate throughout the day, nothing else. She said it gave her energy and it was the only thing she would feel like eating. She's in Championships now, so I guess whatever works. Some common food items, however, include granola bars, fruit, pretzels, bagels, sandwiches, small candies (Skittles, M&Ms, etc.) as well as water and sports drinks. Don't forget to check out the food vendors - sometimes there is little more than burgers and hot dogs, but often there are premade sandwiches or salads.
After Class or Competition
After dancing, it's important to keep drinking water, and also to eat something with protein in it. Protein helps to rebuild and strengthen muscles, which is important after you've put a lot of stress on them. Other than that, eat something that you really want - you deserve it!
Check out this article from Dance Spirit Magazine fore more tips on eating healthy.
The wonderful thing about Irish dance, unlike some other dance forms, is that people of all body types are accepted. There is no need to be supermodel thin to be a champion Irish dancer. Unfortunately, eating disorders are very common among dancers and teenage girls. Visit www.eating-disorders.net for more information, or if you or someone you know might have an eating disorder.
.After a Feis.
After a feis, I think there are three basic things every dancer needs to do.
1. STRETCH 
Your muscles have been working hard all day, so stretching is a good thing to help decrease any change of injury or pain tomorrow morning. Stretching when your muscles are warm also helps increase flexibility.
2. EAT 
Eating and drinking are really important, because your body needs to replenish all that it lost during the day. Chicken or other items with protein are good choices because protein helps to repair muscle that is worn down.
3. RELAX 
After a long day of dancing, you deserve some relazation time! I know I always hit the hotel jacuzzi first thing at the end of the day.
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News Updates :.
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12.19.2004 :. Finally Done! |
| Links are on the right - I'm still in the process of adding some new content, but it should all be up by Jan. 1. |
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