Thread: Ah-hem, Body Glitter?

Hi,

Recently I've heard several times (from different sources) that body glitter is a must for belly dancers. Is this really true? My teacher(s) never told me anything about body glitter AND I've performed for years without so much as one sparke of glitter.
And if it is a must, then why? So that your ultra-shiney costume doesn't out shine you? In my opinion glitter looks like a bit like sweat. Nobody likes to see an extremely sweaty belly dancer- especially non dancer type audiances.
And the stuff probably gets on everything anyway. Glitter is hard to get rid of, you know?
Elabrate for me please?,m::

It's a personal choice. I've seen Egyptian dancers in Cairo covered in glitter. I've also heard that glitter seems "amateurish."
As far as I know, there is no standard or requirement for belly dancers to wear glitter.
As long as you don't wear it for photography, it's good whether or not you wear it.

Ditto what Azhia said. It's a personal choice, not a requirement.

My dance partner's husband *hates* glitter because it gets everywhere, and forbids it to enter their house.

Sometimes I wear it and sometimes I don't. I think it can look really pretty in lower light and a bit garish in daylight. This is just my opinion and how I feel it looks on me. I also sometimes only put a little on my shoulders, chest and stomach to avoid looking like a disco ball. Not that this is a bad thing either. I love the "dipped in glitter and kissed by God" look sometimes, just not ALL the time.

I'm so pale that unless it's clear/AB glitter or really really fine, I just look kind of dirty! ..l;,

The other issue is where it is applied. Remember that the eye goes to what ever is brightest and glitter will draw light. So if you want to make your waist look smaller put glitter down the center of your stomach. Because that is where people will look. Highlight your cheek bones, brow, etc.

Personally, I love glitter but it has to be done with a light hand except when it doesn't need to be done or when it needs to be spackled on! In other words, use as appropriate!

{{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

The other issue is where it is applied. Remember that the eye goes to what ever is brightest and glitter will draw light. So if you want to make your waist look smaller put glitter down the center of your stomach. Because that is where people will look. Highlight your cheek bones, brow, etc.

Personally, I love glitter but it has to be done with a light hand except when it doesn't need to be done or when it needs to be spackled on! In other words, use as appropriate!

{{{{HUGS}}}

Good point! It is besst when applied to key location. PS be very careful not to get it in your eyes. I had a scratched eyeball once and it was HELL.

It's actually not that noticeable on me. It just makes your skin look glowy, as in healthy not sweaty. Of course, I'm very pale so I tend to glow under light anyway, lol.

There's good quality body glitter and there's -- ummm -- that other type of body glitter.

The smaller the actual pieces of glitter, the better, because it looks more like light highlighting than someone putting some glue in with the craft glitter and smearing it everywhere . . .

Most people aren't careful with this purchase and application and they end up looking absolutely awful.

Cheap, even.

Deborah

I tend to like body shimmer, rather than body glitter. Like Deborah was saying, the smaller the pieces the better.

Originally Posted by DeborahDances

I'm so pale that unless it's clear/AB glitter or really really fine, I just look kind of dirty! ..l;,

Oh, that happens to me too!

Originally Posted by casbahdance

There's good quality body glitter and there's -- ummm -- that other type of body glitter.

The smaller the actual pieces of glitter, the better, because it looks more like light highlighting than someone putting some glue in with the craft glitter and smearing it everywhere . . .

Most people aren't careful with this purchase and application and they end up looking absolutely awful.

Cheap, even.

Deborah

OH SNAP! I love big chunky craft glitter, because I think the smaller pieces of glitter make the dancer look sweaty from far away.

It really is a matter of personal taste. Though if I look cheap, I hope people would say something to me!

Does anybody use Bare Minerals Jade or Precious Diamonds? I was happy with it (but I just am a newbie).

Originally Posted by DarkestDesert

Hi,

And the stuff probably gets on everything anyway. Glitter is hard to get rid of, you know?
Elabrate for me please?,m::

That's the best part of being a Belly Dancer finding glitter everywhere ..l;,..l;,

I just buy the super fine craft glitter and dust it on after my lotion aplication.

did you guys see the documentary The Belly dancers of Cairo? There is one "up and coming" dancer who is performing at a wedding I think and she is absolutely COVERED in body glitter. It was way too much! I found myself only staring at the glitter and wondering how she was going to get it all off and why it seemed so sweat-proof instead of watching her dancing. It's not for me! Plus it can damage your costume and I think it looks a little desperate and diva-ish. But I would use it in a fantasy halloween kinda instance.

Oh yes... body shimmer especially the bronzing kind! I love that stuff!

Originally Posted by nimah

OH SNAP! I love big chunky craft glitter, because I think the smaller pieces of glitter make the dancer look sweaty from far away.

It really is a matter of personal taste.

And from what I've seen, the big chunky glitter makes people look like they've got dirt smeared all over their chests! See -- it really is a matter of personal taste!

Deborah

Originally Posted by Sariah

I tend to like body shimmer, rather than body glitter.

Yes, shimmer rather than glitter. Even then, application is key . . .

Deborah

Can't do gitter. The texture is a nightmare for me (offending my tactile issues) and to hard to clean up (offending my OCD issues). Dying to be me now aren't you.

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

did you guys see the documentary The Belly dancers of Cairo? There is one "up and coming" dancer who is performing at a wedding I think and she is absolutely COVERED in body glitter. It was way too much! I found myself only staring at the glitter and wondering how she was going to get it all off and why it seemed so sweat-proof instead of watching her dancing. It's not for me! Plus it can damage your costume and I think it looks a little desperate and diva-ish. But I would use it in a fantasy halloween kinda instance.

I thought she looked great and her "dipped in sugar" look inspired me to rethink glitter! But since I am very very pale, it really doesn't show much. Like everyone said, it's very much a personal choice.

Originally Posted by casbahdance

Yes, shimmer rather than glitter. Even then, application is key . . .

Deborah

I've actually found that body lotions that have a slight shimmer to them seem to work best. Very subtle but still have a bit of sparkle.

Ditto, shimmmer in a lotion is good. I don't use it on the face though, sweaty enough!

I love the glitter. It's fun and lord knows it would in inappropriate in my day job. Of course my boyfriend will never forget the night of the glitter disaster when I dumped half a pot of purple shimmery glitter in my cleveage. It was everywhere for days, including all over his 6'3" Viking self.

Originally Posted by adeylah

I love the glitter. It's fun and lord knows it would in inappropriate in my day job. Of course my boyfriend will never forget the night of the glitter disaster when I dumped half a pot of purple shimmery glitter in my cleveage. It was everywhere for days, including all over his 6'3" Viking self.

LOL My husband knows that anytime I use glitter or shimmer, he's going to end up shimmery himself for at least a couple of days. He's learned to accept it. ..g.:

Originally Posted by Sariah

LOL My husband knows that anytime I use glitter or shimmer, he's going to end up shimmery himself for at least a couple of days. He's learned to accept it. ..g.:

I sort of see it as a way to mark my territory. he he.

Yes I agree, shimmy and well placed glitter are the best, if at all. It can look sloppy and hookerish if done wrong. Oh, and the whole "hippy with glitter" look gags me too.

Originally Posted by samiramirage

I sort of see it as a way to mark my territory. he he.

..l;, I've never thought of it that way!

NEVER hit on a man covered in body glitter.

Originally Posted by samiramirage

I sort of see it as a way to mark my territory. he he.

Well said! My honey likes it when I wear glitter....then he gets to wear it for a few days, too. When we were in a long-distance relationship, it was fun for him to find my glitter on him or around his house for days after I had been there.

Once, we went to the pool with some friends one morning after I had performed late the night before, and we both still had glitter all over us. He got teased a lot that day. ..l;,

Originally Posted by LizzyDancer

Does anybody use Bare Minerals Jade or Precious Diamonds? I was happy with it (but I just am a newbie).

I have tried all of the Bare Minerals shimmers, and here is my ranking of them, in order of preference:
1. Jade
2. Precious Diamonds
3. Platinum
4. Gossamer

Oddly enough, I own #3 and #4, but not #1 and #2. I prefer the first two because they give a very nice, warm glow. The latter two have a cooler look to them, which doesn't look as nice on my skin, which has yellow undertones. Gossamer is subtle enough for everyday use, though, which is nice.

Any one of these are nice to mix with clear lip gloss, or to mix with other Bare Minerals eye powders to give them a little more sparkle. ..g.: