I was watching America's Ballroom Challenge yesterday, American Rhythms. I was surprised to see how "white" most of the dancers look. I have been thinking about tans, and in my view, most of the International Latin dancers tan a lot, so they have to apply quite a bit of make up to make their facial features stand out. This results is really scary still pictures taken by photographers, especially in Paso Doble. On the other hand, if one's skin is naturally pale, why not keep it pale, and just a little bit of make up to highlight the features, to enhance rather than to create?
Too much make up?
- Thread starter Peterium
- Start date
fascination
Site Moderator
welcome to df...hopefully folks will chime in...we do also have several related threads if you care to do a search
chica latina
New Member
Hi Peterium,
I would say that the couples were really tan.... as much as the majority Latin dancers in other competitions (since I was only present for the Rhythm at this comp). I would say that i've noticed that make-up in both styles at competitions is not as scary as I've used to see it. That may be what you noticed.
Let's see if it's true on the Latin show in a couple of weeks, since I did not attend.
I would say that the couples were really tan.... as much as the majority Latin dancers in other competitions (since I was only present for the Rhythm at this comp). I would say that i've noticed that make-up in both styles at competitions is not as scary as I've used to see it. That may be what you noticed.
Let's see if it's true on the Latin show in a couple of weeks, since I did not attend.
Welcome to DF! I think what you were seeing on TV was the result of the lights for filming. The dancers were probably as tan as usual, but the lights really wash out color. That's partly what the tanning is for, to compensate for the effects of lighting. As someone who has pale skin and likes it, I know where you are coming from. But the problem is, my skin doesn't remain its natural color under the lights. It fades out to paper-white and looks like my features have no definition. A little tan makes me look more like my normal self.
I did notice that the women were wearing less make-up than usual. They probably saw from last year what a harsh white stripe under the eyebrow and 2-inch eyelashes look like in a close-up and didn't want to do that again!
I did notice that the women were wearing less make-up than usual. They probably saw from last year what a harsh white stripe under the eyebrow and 2-inch eyelashes look like in a close-up and didn't want to do that again!
WorksForShoes
Member
I'm wondering if the recent relative popularity of dance-related shows on TV will contribute to a swing away from "stage" makeup toward a more "TV-friendly" look overall, including less extreme eye makeup and more reasonable degrees of tanning.
On the ballroom dance channel, Karina and Cheryl from the DWTS show talk about the battles they've had with producers of the show over makeup and tanning. They said that they eventually realized it was better to tone the makeup down and to learn the techniques necessary to still achieve their goals (definition of features, highlighting the positive, etc) rather than cling to the increasingly circus-like aesthetic standards they brought with them from the insulated ballroom world.
They even said that they expected there would be a carry-over effect into the competitive world at large as ballroom gets more and more TV exposure, and that does appear to be happening....
They even said that they expected there would be a carry-over effect into the competitive world at large as ballroom gets more and more TV exposure, and that does appear to be happening....
Ithink
Active Member
I really, really hope so. I am already seeing signs of that in the top pro ranks although the trend is way too slooooow to get down to the mere mortals. Alessia, Sylvia Pitton and Anna Mikhed are especially great about fairly understated (by ballroom standards) makeup. As someone who's always refused to do the whole mile-long fake eyelashes and tons-of-makeup look, I am so glad what I do is becoming more of the norm
There is realy no need to do what most competitors are doing to their faces...
danceronice
Forum Master
Oh, I love fake lashes. They make me look like I have eyes.
Having done stage makeup, and having been made up for TV/video, I think the trick to TV style for it to work, you REALLY have to know what you're doing. It has to do all the things stage does, but do it without making it really obvious. Definitely a relearing curve.
Having done stage makeup, and having been made up for TV/video, I think the trick to TV style for it to work, you REALLY have to know what you're doing. It has to do all the things stage does, but do it without making it really obvious. Definitely a relearing curve.
tanya_the_dancer
Well-Known Member
I kinda like them too. Especially the kind with tiny rhinestones. Also, having seen myself on video with and without tan, I have to say that with tan looks better. Without tan and under bright lights, there is too much contrast between the skin and the hair (I am a relatively pale brunette most of the time).
BasicsFirst
New Member
Certainly "no need", but some OR a lot of us LIKE it (at the appropriate level - and in Latin). I wouldn't care to see a Bronze dancer all done up the way the world class Latin finalists or National finalists are. Perhaps worth noting, for some reason to me it all seems to fit in better with Latin; Standard they can definitely tone it down.
chachachacat
Well-Known Member
Although I adore makeup, I say thank God, and it's about time! It helps make ballroom more accessible to the rest of the world.