HOW TO BE A BURLESQUE BEAUTY
There are hundreds of different looks you can adopt, but the essentials stay the same. - Red lipstick
- Eyeliner either big, smoky eyes or cat-like flicks at the outer corners
- A good set of sexy underwear! Stockings, suspenders - the works!
- Heels
- Nails - Any all-over shade of red or pink is perfect, or you can leave the moons and tips natural - that's what the 40's pin-ups did.
- Impeccable hair
Burlesque jewellery and accessories
Rhinestones are recommended, as are sequins, lace, frills and ribbons. Be inspired by some of the original burlesque and movie stars' costumes - namely Betty Grable, Bettie Page, Sally Rand, Marilyn Monroe, Mae West and Lili St Cyr. Look at Dita too, because she definitely knows her stuff.
Burlesque hair
You will need the following: Burlesque performers and old-movie stars used rollers to create curls and pile their hair up into elaborate styles that literally took hours to achieve. Women in the 20's and 30's wore very tight waves made using rollers and the World War II pin-ups wore ringlets at the front of their heads or created one big roll with all their hair.
First, brush your hair so that it is tangle-free, and then make a ponytail with the front part of your hair. (If you have curly hair, straighten this part before you secure it). Backcomb it slightly so it stands up like a quiff and secure it with LOTS of pins and hairspray.
Burlesque hair care tip: if you have shoulder-length hair, you could pin the ponytail into one curl just above your forehead and spray it into place.
Then you can use rollers to put the rest of your hair into ringlets, or make a sleek bun at the back of your head. Secure it well so it doesn't fall out in the middle of the street!
If you want to, you can add false (or real) flowers, gemstones, any accessory you want really to make it stand out. British burlesque performer Immodesty Blaize pins jewelled birds and butterflies into hers!
Burlesque beauty Dita Von Teese reveals her tips for looking good:
Essentials for eyes - A liquid eyeliner - Clarins Eyeliner pen
- An intense mascara - Estee Lauder Sumptuous
- Flesh-coloured eyeshadow - Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Teddy Bear
- An eyebrow kit - Benefit Brow Zings
Pout perfection
Red lipstick - Dita's favourite is the scarlet matte Ruby Woo by MAC, but others to consider are Chanel Rouge Allure in Enthusiast (a glossy cherry red) or Lancome Color Fever in No.125 (a vampy berry red)
Nails nailed
Red nails - the most gorgeous new red varnish this season is Dior's slightly metallic Red Queen Satin, but Dita's favourite is MAC's Rougemarie
Dita's beauty advice
"Always use a sunscreen. I use one to prevent my skin from getting brown spots. And go to see a dermatologist for any skin care concerns that arise.
"I always remove my make-up and wash my face before going to bed.
When I'm on the go all day and night, and I have to be glamorous, I always take a moment to fix my make-up, usually by removing my foundation and reapplying it so it doesn't look dull or overdone. I always feel better afterwards."
Do you have special ways that help you feel great about yourself? Tell us by leaving a comment below. |
