I was just asked yesterday by my dance instructor to compete in a small competition ( I think). I'm dancing at the lowest level there is at the competition, and I'm not really sure about how anything works. Do I need to fake tan? Does my hair need to be done in a particular way? Should I cram in practice (comp is only 2 weeks away)? What does one do when one preps? Lol, outrageously daft I know, but I'm very new to this sport...

You put on nice clothes that are practical for the dance style, immobilize your hair with spray or gel, and then just go dance your best like normal.

You should really ask your teacher to help you with these things; I consider that to be part of what you pay for. Or, if you can, seek out some other female students (I'm assuming you're female) and ask them for assistance - someone is always willing to help.

Having said all that, if you are dancing in "newcomer," you're not expected to wear a costume, so find a nice dress that flatters you. I'd recommend fishnet stockings rather than nylons, if you wear any at all. Have your hair styled neat; if it's long, it shouldn't be flying around and a distraction to your appearance. I don't think you really need a fake tan at your level, but if you're especially pale like I am, you may want to add a light coating of tanning. Wear heavier make-up than you normally would.

Most people I know who compete do take extra lessons right before a competition, I would do enough practice to feel comfortable with your steps, but not to the point of exhaustion. Sometimes I do better if I don't dance at all the day before.

Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for your advice- now if only someone could tell me where I can get a job to pay for this competition! lol. Wow, I knew it would be expensive, but I had no clue it would be this much. I need to advance so I don't have to pay so much extra to have my instructor come! :) Thanks again!

Competitions sold to you by a studio tend to be many times more expensive than attending events on your own with an amateur partner.

That is a *very* good point! Chain studios like Arthur Murray's tend to be notorious for this kind of thing. They sell you packages of lessons, sell you an expensive package for the comp, and of course, you pay for your instructor. All pro-am competitions are more expensive than amateur comps, but generally speaking doing these with the Arthur Murray-style chains can be much, *much* more expensive - even more expensive than doing a pro-am comp with a recognized dancesport champion.

Hi there!

By now you may have already done your comp, but in case you haven't, here's the deal.

If you're doing Latin or American Rhythm, *yes* you need to fake tan. The easiest way is to exfoliate thoroughly, then go to a spray tan place like Mystic Tan. If you go two or three times the week immediately prior to the comp (get the medium tan first then the dark tan the last two times) you should be set for the comp.

Your makeup should be extreme. Remember, the lights at a comp can be very strong and without the tanning and the makeup, you'll look washed out. Yup, false eyelashes *are* the way to go.

Your hair should be fixed in a way so that it doesn't fly in your face when you dance. If it's short, spray the dickens out of it so that it wouldn't move in a hurricane. You may want to slick it down first, depending on the style you're aiming for. If it's long, by all means, tie it back, either putting it up in a bun or some other neat way of wearing it. Some people will wear extensions but for your first comp, it'll be too much hassle.

For your dress, double and triple secure it. Be sure you're wearing dance trunks under your dress (they look like briefs and are in a color that matches your dress). If your dress is strapless, (or if it's made with one strap) make sure that you stitch flesh-colored or transparent straps into it (everyone does this) so that there's no chance of it falling down. Practice in your dress, moving up to speed so that you're used to the feel of it and so that you have no surprises from it. (Remember, if your dress can slip or slide from your body at all (especially a latin dress), it can be a problem for you on the dance floor.

Finally, fake nails. Some fun, huh? These should be the last thing you put on, because you won't be able to put your dress on or do anything else after you've done so. Get some duct tape, lay your nails out on the tape the night before and paint them with the nail polish color you want. Then before you dance, slap them on with some nail glue. (This way you won't have to polish them while you're wearing them.)

Good luck!