PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

• On Costuming
• On Hair Styles

• On Skin & Makeup
• On Other Aspects of Appearance

By Shira

• Tips & Tricks Related To Costuming. Quick tips on costuming and make-up.
• Keep It Smelling Fresh! Avoid odor build-up in costumes and remove odors already there.
• What Makes It Professional? Costume upgrades needed when moving from student to pro.
• What To Wear On Your Feet! Explores pros and cons of different options.
• Tips & Tricks for Belly Dance Footwear.
• Dear Shira: I Want to Dance Barefoot! A reader asks why her audience complained about her bare feet.

• Dear Shira: A Jewel In The Navel? What's the deal with wearing a jewel in the navel, anyway?
• Dear Shira: What About Stretch Marks Or Surgical Scars? What options are available for covering them?
• The Undercover Story: What About Underwear? Advice on making appropriate choices for what to wear under your costume.
• Seven Reasons Why You Should NOT Lend a Belly Dance Costume to Someone to Wear to a Halloween Party. How it can all go wrong.

By Dina Lydia, the Costume Goddess

• Using A Chain Or Coin Bra/Belt Set. How to attach a bra cover to a bra, how to wear the matching belt.
• Buying Coins For A Costume. How to choose coins for matching costume items you already have.

• Tying A Hip Scarf. How to keep a beaded/coin hip scarf from sliding down over the hips.
• Gluing Rhinestones. How to glue rhinestones (and other items) directly to the skin.

By Saqra

• Belly Dance Costume Checklist. Points to consider when deciding which costumes to buy, or which to use for upcoming shows.
• The Stinky Dancer Issue. Saqra offers a public service announcement for belly dancers on an issue that can lead to being denied a performance spot at an event.
• Becoming the Best Belly Dance Performer You Can Be: Part 1, Your Appearance. Checklist to help you become a better performer through assessing your costume and makeup.
• Securing Clear Bra Straps Under a Costume. How to keep the straps hidden without damaging them.

• Belly Dance Costume Maintenance: Prolonging the Life of Your Sparklies. Saqra offers a tip on protecting the sequins and paillettes on costumes from wear and tear.
• Cheap Costume Jewelry for Belly Dancing. How to use affordable sparkly jewelry as part of your belly dance costume.
• Why Wear a Cover-Up at a Show? Saqra explains why this is important.

By Trish St. John

• How to Care for Assuit. By Trish St. John. Advice on caring for this delicate, expensive fabric.

By Shira

• How to Make a Rectangular Head Scarf. Includes ideas on how to wear it after making it.

• Hair Styles and Accessories for Belly Dancers. Ideas to make your hair as interesting as the rest of you!

By Dina Lydia, the Costume Goddess

• Hair Styles For Long Hair. Ideas for fixing your hair to look great on stage.

• Hair Styles For Short Hair. Stage-worthy styles for short-haired dancers.

• Basic Makeup for Dancers of Color. By Christine Millan.
• Belly Dance Makeup to Go With Your Costume. By Saqra. Things to consider when choosing makeup colors and deciding how much to apply.
• Four Quick Stage Makeup Tips for Older Belly Dancers. By Saqra. Suggestions for applying stage makeup to camouflage some of the signs of aging.
• Tips for Making Eyeliner "Wings" in Stage Makeup. By Saqra. Placed online February 22, 2020.
• Stage Makeup for the Porcelain Brunette. By Amartia.
• 10 Things I Wish Every Belly Dancer Knew About Makeup. By Sophia Ravenna.
• Dear Shira: What About Stretch Marks Or Surgical Scars? What options are available for covering them?
• Face It: Makeup Techniques for the Belly Dancer, by Meleah. A video review by Shira.
• Tribal Basics, Volume 2: Makeup & Costume, by Carolena Nericcio. A video review by Shira.
• Basic Makeup for Performance and Photography, by Azhia. A video opinion poll.

Photo to the right by Kaylyn Hoskins, Solon, Iowa.

• The Great Armpit Debate. Armpit hair - let it grow or make it go?
• Belly Dance and Weight Loss. Will belly dance help you lose weight?

• Too Heavy to Belly Dance? Can larger-sized dancers belly dance?