October 2016 Favorites

Here are my October Favorites for 2016!

Dancewear: Short legwarmers

As many of you know, I have chronic issues with my left ankle.  Cooler

weather, humidity, and lots of pointework all contribute to ankle soreness

for me, and all of these things seem to happen at this time of year!  I

frequently wear short legwarmers in class and rehearsal to keep one or both

ankles warm and strong.  I am currently wearing an old pair from

BodyWrappers, but I have my eye on these cute ones from Wear Moi (Izalia

short stirrup leg warmers, available from wearmoi.us in the United States).

Streetwear: Lululemon Groove Pants

Lululemon is seen as one of the top brands in yoga and athletic clothing.

Products can be expensive, but eBay always has great deals for gently used

Lululemon items in all sizes.  I am partial to a style called the Groove

Pant (both in the skinny cut and flared cut).  The fabric most Lululemon

items are made of (called Luon) is a stretchy synthetic that is soft like

cotton, so it glides on easily over ballet tights and is comfortable against

skin.  I wear my Lululemon groove pants for to the gym, for modern dance, as

warm ups over my ballet clothes, and when lounging or running errands.

(Available at Lululemon stores, lululemon.com, and ebay.com)

Makeup: Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB Cream

I've been using this Korean BB Cream regularly for about 3 years.  However,

now that my skin type has changed to fairly dry without much acne or

discoloration, this is the only thing I use on my face most days (no powder,

no concealer).  I absolutely hate it when I can see foundation on my face,

and this cream doesn't do that.  It completely blends into my skin, protects

with SPF 15, and evens out skin tone with light coverage.  The only slight

downfall to this product is that it's only available in 2 colors (light,

which matches my skin perfectly, and medium, which is quite a bit darker but

still with neutral/yellow tones).  However, because it provides a sheer

blendable coverage, a perfect skin tone match isn't necessary to reap the

benefits. (Available from Sephora and sephora.com)

Skincare: Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream

Guess what my favorite brand has been lately.  I started using Cicapair this

month (it's a fairly recent launch for the brand) and immediately fell in

love.  The cream promises to hydrate dry skin and relieve sensitive skin of

redness and irritation.  For me, it's done both.  I use a small squeeze

morning and night, and my skin has been more hydrated and more even in tone

and texture.  I also think this cream smells great (a bit like ginger,

cucumber, and lemongrass--it will smell familiar if you're well versed in

Korean cuisine), and the texture is amazing (thick, but light). (Available

from Sephora and sephora.com)

Food: Strong Almond Protein Bars by Kind

Several days each week, I have multiple ballet classes or rehearsals with a

short break after each.  To refuel, I often eat snacks during my breaks.  I

need a generous serving of healthy vegan protein in each snack, and granola

bars are often the most convenient choices to meet my needs.  However,

sometimes the idea of eating a sweet snack is repelling to me (don't know

why; I put it down to an electrolyte imbalance).  These Strong bars are the

perfect solution for me.  They are limited ingredient nut-and-seed protein

bars flavored with savory spices like jalapeno and hickory barbecue.  With

about 230 calories and 10 grams of protein in each bar, they fill me with

energy without making me feel bloated.   (Available at most grocery stores)

Brand Spotlight: DecoDancewear

Professional dancer Casey Dalton started deco dancewear when an injury interrupted her ballet career.  Casey hand makes all of the skirts and leotards herself, so they can be specially made to both fit and flatter better than more mass-market options.

pronunciation	exactly as written
website	decodancewear.com
styles of dance included	ballet
types of items	bodywear
country of origin	USA
price point	moderate
quality	very good
availability	Poor availability.  Special order only through decodancewear.com
sizing	skirts: true to size (look at size chart; very slim dancers will be better accommodated in children’s sizes) leotards: true to size, chart is very accurate.  These leos run larger than other brands, but true to their own sizing.. (“extra long” option available in all sizes, which is great for long torsos like mine.  I wear an extra small extra long.)
Jillian’s top pick	classic pull-on skirt, Princess seam tank leotard
Jillian’s item to avoid	None to speak of, but production and shipping times can be lengthy (2 months or more in busy times).  However, you are getting the benefit of a custom made piece.

Help! My daughter did not get selected to go en pointe!

It’s a big time in a young dancer’s life when she starts pointe.  Different dance schools have different methods of promoting or selecting students to begin pointe.  Some studios place students in a special “first pointe” class where all students get their first pointe shoes together (usually at the beginning or midpoint of the academic year).  Other studios (usually smaller ones) approach students individually or in small groups and allow them to start pointe when they are ready.  This method often results in a class in which some students are en pointe and some are not.  If your daughter is in such a class, she (or you) may feel very disappointed if other students are selected to go en pointe and she is not.

The students who are going en pointe will probably happily share their good news.  They often don’t mean to “rub it in” that they were chosen for pointe when others were not.  Make sure you and your daughter know the difference between innocent news-sharing and malicious teasing before you accuse anyone of leaving her out or making her feel bad.

There is probably a good reason for why your daughter was not selected this go-round.  How old is she?  Is she younger than other students in the class?  What is the studio’s minimum age for putting students en pointe?  How long has she been in this class?  If she’s newer than other students, it will probably take a little longer for her to master the skills necessary for pointe.  Has she had an injury lately?  The teachers may be waiting a little longer to make sure she is completely healed.  How is your daughter’s technique?   She may not be technically or physically strong enough for pointe yet.  Is she emotionally mature?  This is also a necessity for successful pointework.   Your daughter may need a gentle reminder of one or more of these reasons if she feels disappointed or cheated.

If one of these reasons is not obvious to you, it’s ok to ask the teacher.  Make sure you do so kindly (do not accuse her of leaving your daughter out).  Say something like, “I saw the list of students who are starting pointe this year.  When do you think Kelly will be ready for pointe?”  DO NOT insinuate that you think your child is already ready or should also be included this go-round.  If your daughter’s exclusion is an oversight, the teacher will immediately realize it.  If it’s not, she will probably give you a broad, tentative date and possibly a reason for why your daughter isn’t on the list this time.  She might say, “Probably next year.  She needs to strengthen her feet and be able to hold a longer demi-pointe balance.”  If the teacher doesn’t provide specific skills to work on, you can ask what your daughter can focus on improving. 

It is also possible (but highly unlikely) that the teacher will say that your daughter can’t do pointe.  If your daughter has had a severe injury or other physical limitation, the teacher is probably protecting your daughter’s health and safety.  Unfortunately, it is just not safe for some people to be en pointe.  If your daughter is not going en pointe for this reason, check with a doctor and possibly another ballet teacher to see what they think.  Sometimes a special teacher and gentle program can help dancers with injuries succeed en pointe, but this is only possible in some circumstances.  If 2 or more professionals advise against pointe, don’t push it.  Help your daughter transition to another form of dance if being around other students en pointe is too emotionally painful. 

If your daughter is much older than other students in her class or has a developmental disability like down syndrome, the teacher may not feel properly equipped to teach her en pointe.  Some teachers are only familiar with methods for teaching pointe to tween girls with the same abilities.  Beginning pointe is often physically more difficult for students in their late teens or older, and it can be dangerous if a student has trouble understanding instructions.  In these cases, seek out another teacher (and private lessons, if you can).  Some teachers are completely comfortable teaching older teen and adult pointe students.  A student with developmental disabilities can often learn well when given one-on-one attention.  Once you find an instructor willing to work with your daughter, have the teacher evaluate her for pointe readiness and proceed from there.

Whatever the reason, it is important that you as the parent remain calm and logical.  Do not accuse anyone of purposefully excluding your child, and never purchase pointe shoes for your daughter without a teacher’s permission.  Dancers are most successful en pointe if they begin when they are ready and receive support from teachers and parents.

Appropriate Halloween costumes to wear to dance class

Does your studio allow you (or your children) to wear Halloween costumes to class in the days leading up to the holiday?  If so, here are some guidelines on what to wear to make sure you are safe, comfortable, and able to have a good time.

1.  You may not be able to wear the costume you plan to wear for trick-or-treating.  You may need to pick a different costume that is easier or safer to dance in (or is more appropriate for the family environment of a dance studio).  Costumes based on accessories like tutus, secure hats, or capes/jackets are usually good choices.  You can also choose dancewear in certain colors in order to emulate a character.

2.  Wear your usual dance clothes under your costume.  If you normally wear a leo and tights to ballet or jazz pants and a tank to tap, wear these clothes under your costume (or as part of your costume).  You must wear your usual dance shoes, even if they do not go with your costume.

3.  Be aware that many commercial Halloween costumes are made of non-breathable polyester material.  Wearing them while you dance can make you very hot and uncomfortable.  It is ok to take your costume off if you feel too hot or faint.  Parents, avoid sending your child to dance in full costume if your child has a very heavy, warm costume and/or has health issues like asthma, diabetes, or heart problems.

4.  Avoid costume items that can be tripped over (like cat tails), easily fall off (like unsecured hats), or obscure your vision (like masks).   Do not wear a wig or jewelry.  Also, avoid costumes that are very scary or “adult”/offensive.

5.  Face paint or elaborate makeup tends to melt off when you sweat, so while it is a totally acceptable choice, it may not be the best for staying on.

6.  Need some examples or inspiration? 

-Princess: crown and skirt/tutu

-80’s workout Barbie: leotard over dark tights or leggings, legwarmers, sweatshirt, high side ponytail with scrunchie

-Red riding hood: red cape with hood

- Boo (from Monsters’ INC): hair in pigtails, pink shirt, purple leggings

 -Cat: all you need are ears! (this can easily work for another animal like a dog or a bunny)

- Nerd: suspenders and nerd glasses (works well with jazz pants)

-Peter Pan: green shirt or leotard, hat (easily secured with bobby pins

-Tweedle Dee/Dum (good choice to coordinate with a friend): yellow shirt, red pants, blue bow tie

- Vampire: black and red dancewear, red lipstick, short cape

- Tourist: Hawaiian shirt (if you can, add cargo shorts)

- Superhero: any colored leotard or shirt and bootie shorts, leggings, or pants (match character’s colors), short cape.  Print out the character’s logo and pin it to your chest.

-Cowboy/girl: hat (secure with bobby pins or strap under chin), bandana around neck

-Doctor/nurse/vet: lab coat and/or scrub top

-Clara (from Nutcracker): white or light pink nightgown, hair bow

-Sports star: any jersey

Dancewear Inspiration: Odette

This dancewear inspiration series will give you inspiration to style your dance wardrobe after your favorite ballet characters.  Whether you are looking for inspiration in an upcoming rehearsal or you're  just enjoying dressing up, I hope these looks can inspire you to have fun with your look.

Odette is the white swan character in Swan Lake.  She's demure, slightly frightened, and very graceful throughout her performance.  Odette is usually dressed in white with soft accents to her costume that enhance her innocent character.  White is a staple in Odette's look, but I prefer to add soft gray to add dimension and character.

Happy Birthday, Peyton cat!

My baby boy turns 7 years old today!  Always one to help with projects and chores, this kitty adores sewing pointe shoes with me.

Uniform Spotlight: School of American Ballet

Wonder what students at ballet schools around the world wear to class?  In this series, I'll show the uniforms of different schools so you can satisfy your curiosity and see how similar or different they are from yours.

SAB (School of American Ballet) is the prestigious feeder school for New York City Ballet, one of the most famous companies in the US.  SAB takes students from pre-school through high school and educates them in the art of ballet with Balanchine technique.  SAB does not require specific brands and styles of dancewear, but it does require female students to wear certain colors leotards and skirts, which denote the class level.

Here's a look at what students wear at SAB:

Boys uniform for all classes (Preparatory division, Boys I, Boys II, Boys III, Boys IV, Intermediate Men, Advanced Men): White shirt, black tights, white socks, black or white ballet shoes.  Primary division boys may wear black long bike shorts instead of tights.

Girls Preparatory division: white leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers

Girls I: red leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers

Girls II: light blue leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers

Girls III: light pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers

Girls IV: hunter green leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, pointe shoes

Girls V: burgundy leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, pointe shoes

Intermediate B1: navy leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, pointe shoes, navy skirt for pointe and variations

Intermediate B2: navy leotard; pink tights; pink ballet slippers; pointe shoes; navy skirt for pointe, variations, and adagio; and character skirt and character shoes for character class

Advanced C1, Advanced CII, and Advanced D: black leotard for technique classes; white leotard and white skirt for variations, pointe, and adagio; pink tights; pink ballet slippers; pointe shoes

What is “pancaking”?

Has your dance teacher told you to pancake your shoes for the upcoming performance?  Or maybe that you have to pancake the straps on your costume?   Pancaking is the act of applying a liquid/cream pigment (generally skin-colored makeup or calamine lotion) to a fabric dancewear item so that it achieves a desired color or “look” from a stage distance. 

If you are wearing a tutu or dress on stage and the costumer has attached white elastic straps, you may be asked to apply foundation makeup to the straps so they blend with your skin tone and make the costume appear strapless.  This is pancaking the straps.  If you are performing a piece en pointe or in canvas ballet shoes and you need to appear barefoot, you will also pancake your shoes with face makeup.  If you are performing a piece en pointe and the director wants your pointe shoes to be matte or the same color as all the other dancers’ shoes, you will be asked to pancake your shoes with calamine lotion (available at drugstores: just make sure you get the pink kind, not the clear kind), which dries down to a powdery texture and light peach color that matches most mesh backseam performance tights.

The term “pancaking” refers only to applying liquid or cream pigments to fabric with a sponge or brush.  If you are required to make shoes or other items black, red, or another dark color using fabric markers, you are “coloring.”  See my article on how to color dance shoes here.

The easiest way to pancake straps on a costume is to put it on and let a friend use a makeup sponge to apply liquid foundation to the straps for you.  You will probably get makeup on your shoulders and back, but this will ensure that you don’t miss the last inch or so of strap closest to where it attaches to your costume.  DO NOT use a concealer stick to color the straps on your costume; it doesn’t dry and will create a huge mess.  Powder foundation will similarly make a huge mess, and it generally does not stick to fabric straps.

To pancake shoes, use a makeup sponge, makeup brush, or paint brush to apply makeup or calamine to your shoes.  Put your non-dominant hand in the shoe to hold it as you apply color with your dominant hand.  Don’t pancake the sole of the shoe, but make sure you remember to add color to the drawstring, elastic, and ribbons.  Let the shoes dry, then go back later and touch up any missed spots.  Always let shoes dry for at least 6 hours before dancing in them (longer if you live in a very humid climate).