The Belly Dance Chronicles October/November/December 2016 Volume 14, Issue 4 | Page 21

Mila (Texas) My favorite beauty secret is to accent my eyes with liner, mascara, etc. and especially to use waterproof makeup. After all, the eyes are the windows to the soul. Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan (California) Since I am known for my “glittery dance persona and glitter eye shadow,” let me share some tips. Secret #1: For using glitter as eye makeup: Mix a tiny drop of clear drying eyelash adhesive into water. Mix with a cotton-tip. Apply this solution to your eyes (or face), then immediately press glitter in place. Let dry and use a soft brush to remove excess glitter. Secret #2: How to make loose mineral powder eye shadow into a brilliant waterproof shadow. Dip a cotton-tip into the glue-solution, then dip directly into the loose eye shadow powder. Apply to the eyes, and let dry. When the eyelash adhesive solution dries - your eye makeup will be waterproof. The powdered eye shadow color is much more brilliant with this method! Secret #3: For makeup removal use your favorite oil. Coconut oil smells great. Photo by Carl Sermon   Dhyanis (California) After years working in theater, I use the face contouring “rules” that I learned there to look more striking as well as younger from the stage: 1. Always line lips around the outside with a few shades darker color then fill in with lipstick/gloss/glitter 2. Apply darker blush tones (I like more copper, rather than pink) within a pointed triangle from lower ear straight to center of face under cheek, then back up towards upper ear. Nothing worse than the “apple doll” look of blush on rounded cheeks! 3. If neckline and chin are not perfectly taut (after about age 35), apply same copper blush under chin and blend outward under jawbones. Be sure to blend gradually down into neck to avoid a line. 4. Use the lightest, brightest glitter or eyeshadow just under the eyebrow to highlight the bones. Amaya (New Mexico) 3 Secrets: #1. Sleep! Getting plenty of rest and liquids makes my skin smoother. I can look 5 years younger (or older!) depending on whether I have had my full sleep or not. #2. Eyebrows! They are so important because of the expression they allow on stage. They MUST be seen. Pencil in with light hair strokes or have them permanently done by a super competent tattoo artist. Make sure they use tiny stroke lines to make them look natural. #3. Haircut! Get a good one. Even if you have a simple style…make sure to have good trims done periodically so that your hair hangs nicely on stage. October 2016  The Belly Dance Chronicles 21