The weather here in the UK seems to have taken a turn into early Autumn which just happens to be my favourite season. In celebration my mind is starting to think about what new Autumn clothes I should buy this year.

One of my few clothing regrets is not being able to buy a Alexander McQueen trench a couple of years ago. I fell in love with it, but the rent needed paying so I put it back on the hanger and walked away with a heavy heart. Now imagine my delight when I see this - a Trench that reminds me of that very coat, but at a much lower price….now where can I get some silver skull buttons?

www.allsaints.com
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One of my favourite bands is just about to launch a new album! Apocalyptica's 7th Symphony will be out 23rd August.

www.apocalyptica.com

I've just ordered a new pot of powder from T. Le Clerc. A fabulous company that makes the most gorgeous shades of powder in pastel shades reminisant of Laudree Macaroons. I've used the peach shade for quite a while but for a new routine I need a perfectly pale glow reminisant of a true ice maiden. Their Parme version will apparently give me the perfect iced tone so am excited about getting to play with it when it arrives. Full review to follow this month. Let's just hope I don't leave this behind in a changing room like I did my last pot..

www.t-leclerc.co.uk/
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Branded* 08/17/2010
 
Myface

I love this brand. Perfect for those who feel they may be in a make up rut or aren't sure about what colours suit them. The brand is split into three sections, For light, medium & dark skin tones. Each section has a range of colours that can be mixed & matched and will suit that skin tone. You have concealers, foundations, lipsticks, blushers etc. I've tried blushers I never would have chosen at another counter and have always been pleasantly surprised. The pared down packaging suits the feel of this brand, and helps keep the cost down, while avoiding the feel of a 'budget' brand.

Price: Budget - but without a 'cheap' feel.

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Glitter me up! 08/17/2010
 
Q. How can I get those red glittery lips, the sparkle lipsticks just don't seem to ..well.. sparkle…

Red Glitter lips - where burlesque meets Drag. The best way to have glittery lips is to forget about the sparkly lipstcks and just go with glitter. Do your lipstick as normal, top with Lipcote (or another lipstick sealer), or spirit gum and then dab on the glitter. (I find the best way is with a dedicated lipstick brush). And be prepared for a lot of sparkle in your life...

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Code Red 08/17/2010
 
Q. I can't find and red lipstick that suits me!

Ahh the search for the perfect red. There's plenty of information out there on the steps, but here's what I would recommend:

1) First decide what you need your lipstick to do and what look you want. Super long lasting? Matt? Shiny? Do you want a strong classic red to invoke the decade of movie glamour or a light touch of red? Wearing red lipstick when you're used to more sober colours is a big change so don't expect to find one that looks natural.

2) What type of red do you want? The spectrum ranges from blue reds (will help lighten your teeth) to more Orangey reds (fabulously bright and beautiful for those who get away with glowing colours).

3) Once you've thought about it (and If you still don't know), then the only way is to try them all. Get to a beauty counter on a quiet day, And then go from counter to counter in the search. Talk to the brand representatives about your search and explain what you're after. They should be more then happy to let you try them. Don't buy however. If you find one you like, get the name marked down and leave the store so you can see how it looks in daylight. Go and browse a clothes shop and see how it looks in different lights. If after an hour you like it, then go and buy it (preferably from the assistant that helped you).

Pay attention to what the beautician does. If she's used primer/lipliner,lip brush etc, that will effect the final look.

 

If you can't find any that suit you (and you've tried the following counters: MAC, Chanel, Dior, YSL, Benefit) then you may have to try some counters where you will have to buy without trying.

For a young, subtle, easy to wear red.

Try Benefit & Myface. Slip in on with no Primer or Liner and just enjoy the summery burst of colour.

For a strong 40's Starlet Red.

Try MAC, Chanel & Besame. Use Primer, Lip liner (both before & after the lipstick). Powder and reapply.

For a Futuristic red

then try the new Rimmel Vinyl's & Dior. Slip on some Gloss in a darker colour in the centre of the lip.

My favourite one at the moment is a Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato

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Wigging it 08/17/2010
 
Q. Where did you get your candyfloss wig?

The sweet shop. It is in fact a mountain of candyfloss (strawberry flavoured). And after having that much on my head, I still can't bring myself to eat the remaining untouched tub…..

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Kiss & Make up 08/17/2010
 
Foundations

Q. Do you use foundation? And what one?

A: I'm a huge believer in foundations - both with underwear & make-up. Make up wise I've tried a fair few over the years, and below is a brief look at my favourites and the almost rans.*

 

La Praire. Caviar foundation. 4.5 Pasties

I love this one, it is by far and away my favourite. Despite being scarily expensive, I would happily pay the money again (if my bank account would let me). It gives the skin that privileged glow that suggests you've spent your life having regular facials & expensive creams. It provides cover without looking heavy and comes in a large number of shades that help those with typical 'in-between shades' find the perfect one. The only reason it doesn't get Full marks is that the beautifully presented pot (complete with a concealer brush + hidden concealer pot) just isn't that hygienic after a year of use (and mine comfortably lasted that long).

Myface Foundation 4 Pasties

It's no surprise that myface foundation is already a cult product with beauty editors. The entire brand is built around the idea of being affordable and foolproof. The foundation is no exception. While being in pared down packaging, the foundation out performs many expensive brands I've tried. Good coverage, again without being heavy, and while there aren't a rainbow of shades to pick from, the foundation blends exceedingly well.

L-oreal True Match Roll'on foundation

I confess to buying this in a 'forgot my make up' emergency. I wasn't expecting to love this and I saw the roller as a gimmick. While I still dislike the roller (I prefer brushes) I was very impressed by the foundation. Perfect for when you need a 'foundation finish' as opposed to the 'naturally flawless). It's much heavier then the other two, but still avoids looking caked on. Only piece of advice? Make sure you wash the sponge on a regular basis - I have seen some that look disgusting after the owner hasn't washed them but has used them for the last month…

It's not you..it's me….

Illamasqua

I love the brand. I love the background, the story, the colours and the eyelashes. But…the foundation just doesn't feel special. I don't hate it. It does the job perfectly adequately, in a range of shades and lasts a decent amount of time throughout the day. I use it (I hate throwing away nearly full tubes), but can't see myself buying another one.

I admit to being more disappointed then I would be with another brand. Illamasquais one of my favourite counters when I'm in London to visit, And I still want to try a truckload of their other goodies…but for now I'll stick to using their eyelashes, while flirting with the idea of trying the highlighter.

 

MAC

Again, I was expecting to love this - who doesn't adore MAC? Tested and trusted by the entire entertainment industry worldwide. Yet the foundation just seemed to be missing a certain something. I don't mind paying out more for MAC's eyeshadows (they are more finely milled so last longer and have a brighter colour), but the foundation…meh...

 



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I first got interested in burlesque after watching Gypsy with Natalie Wood, and having been a performer for over ten years it really appealed to me. I get inspiration from lots of different places; I try not to get inspiration from other performers because I think you risk making your act like theirs. 

For my signature act, Cowgirl, I was watching Shanghai Noon and as I heard ‘Cowboy’ I started seeing myself on a horse covered in crystals and cracking a whip. I started to research cowgirl acts and found that although there were a few already, but none of them were the same as what I had in mind so I started thinking about costume and props. I didn’t want a rocking horse or a carousel horse because they are already used by Immodesty Blaize and Dita Von Teese. I loved the idea of spunky 50s pin up cowgirl and based my costume around that. I wanted clothing that could be removed easily but was authentic. I looked at traditional western style cowgirl wear with tassels, and then added rhinestones and custom made pasties for a bit of glamour and glitz at the end.
Once I had a rough idea of costume and props I listened to the music and worked out some basic moves. Over the weeks I added props and took them away until I came up with an act I was happy with. Then I showed the routine to those closest to me, Mr Thology came up with the idea of using a gun belt which I hadn’t even thought about but now seemed so obvious. I took on board their thoughts and tweaked little bits and pieces. And now I have a signature act that I am happy with, and one of the few I haven’t had to redo too much or scrap altogether.

While I was working on Cowgirl I had lots of other ideas. I have a project book full of possible routines, many of which I discarded mainly because when I researched them sometimes they were too similar to someone else’s act, other times they just didn’t seem to ‘fit’. Having been on the stage for many years I knew I liked big, stage show, over the top routines with large props and extravagant costumes. 

I liked the idea of having a gimmick, as Gypsy was told ‘you gotta have a gimmick’, and with a name like Anne Thology I had an obvious theme on which base my acts; they are all inspired by books. Once I have an idea in mind, I look at props and movement. I like to add something different to each routine to make it interesting and unique, although very few ideas are truly unique now because burlesque has been around for so long. I also had to consider venue and the performing space. Whilst big props and lavish costumes work well on big stages, sometimes a smaller act is more appropriate in an intimate club space. 

When I am planning a new act I look at what I have already, there is no point in having six fan dances that all look the same. What makes each fan dance different from the others, and anybody else’s for that matter? I wanted Stardust to be more than ‘just’ a fan dance, so I added ball walking to give it a little something extra.
I also believe you get out what you put in. Some of my acts have only cost a few hundred pounds for props and costume, other have cost much more and have required specialist training or prop making. This doesn’t mean that an act will be good just because you throw lots of money at it, or that a performer will be great because they have attended every workshop or class going.

I am lucky to have supportive friends and family, not only do they keep me going when everything feels like it’s going wrong or I have a mental block, but they also keep me grounded, which is great because otherwise I would be living in dreamland rather than living the dream.


The lovely Anne Thwww.annethology.co.uk.
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This is dedicated to ThatBlondeGirl, who contacted me and asked for a detailed explanation on how I create a routine from start to finish.

First, I'm afraid I have to confess that every time I create a routine it's slightly different. Sometimes the Music sparks the idea, sometimes it's a prop or a costume.

Most likely it's an idea that just appears one day.

The most recently created routine has been my Pirate themed "Pasties Ahoy!".

Once upon a day, on a far away notice board known as Facebook there was a post from a costumer looking for a performer wanting a pirate costume. My mind started brimming with ideas and a couple of messages later we'd settled on a time travelling steampunk pirate.

One of my personal heroines is the fabulous Emma Hamilton (I highly recommend 'Englands Mistress by ) and I decided to base my character on her fictional roommate. Cast aside by Nelson and gang pressed into a steampunk pirate space. The character in place I was able to play around with plots and ideas. You can't have pirates without treasure so I decided that She would be hunting down the belongings of her former friend and rival.

I'm a big fan of treating each routine as a little play (even if not instantly apparent to the audience) so I had the idea for first act in Place.

Act 1. The hunt for the treasure

Watching lot's of Pirate cartoons I had the idea of casting away the old fashioned treasure chest in return for the more modern Sat Nav, And while watching nautical cartoons you will come across plenty of Spongebob episodes - which lead me to the music for the first act of my routine.

Act 2. The opening of the treasure

After the success of finding the treasure, you need a disappointment - how to open it? Sword & Gun both fail. Only for the memory of a key to appear (although I am still playing with the loony Tune idea of spending time and energy undoing a lock…that then turns out to have been open all along)…

I had so much trouble finding the right music for this part of the act. I tried hunting for pirate/nautical/sea shanties/movie music and just couldn't find the right music for the act. Then when hunting for music for an entirely different act, I came across the Pete Gunn theme tune which proved to be perfect. I used this music for the remainder of the routine.

Act 3. Success!

The treasure is opened and there was buried gold…of a sort ….

 

Notes:

I am a firm believer that act's should be under five minutes. Nothing worse then seeing someone struggle through minute number 9 of an act that really should have finished 7 minutes ago. Yes, there are some fabulous performers out there who can hold a stage for 10 minutes of magic. Most can't - and as always, you should leave the audience wanting more.

If you find yourself rushing through an act, then try rethinking it. You don't need 17 items to remove - just removing one can take 3 minutes if done well. And don't try to cram too much in, if need be make it two separate acts instead of one long one.

If you're trying to think of ideas and keep hitting a mental block, then go and do something else completely. You'll be amazed at what your mind throws up when you least expect it. But try to think about character before plot & costume as it'll influence both. When you do have an idea then youtube it. Watch any cartoons/slapstick/popular scenes about the subject to help with ideas. (And to make sure your idea isn't already out there*)

 

* Performers spend a lot of time and energy creating routines and it has been known for new performers to 'borrow' routines. Don't. It'll get you blacklisted and annoy people who are probably much better established and have a lot more contacts. In the case of one performer who borrowed another's routine down to the design of the pasties, it could even have you barred from being an audience member.
At the same time, most performers realise that there are no 'new ideas' and the same theme pops up a lot. Housewife, Secretary, Innocent getting drunk - they've all been done and will always be a safe fall back for those learning. But for the more unusual ideas you have an additional problem if you are a newbie to the scene. There are performers out there who have stamped their personality/style so strongly on a routine that similar routines created by a newer performer will be dismissed as it simply won't measure up. Have a look at Anna Fur Laxis's iconic 'Betty' tribute. No other Betty routine I've seen comes close.

 

Just to give you a balanced look at act creation, I'm also posting a 'How I do it' from another performer, Rose De Vine.

 

 

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I have fallen in lust with the classic design of this Womb Chair. How perfect for curling up on an autumn evening…..

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I am planning on popping into the Finnish pop-up resturant Hel Yes! When it arrives in London next month. Helsinki is one of the place's I have long wanted to visit and I am looking forward to trying the fabulous food. www.londondesignfestival.com/events/hel-yes 

 

Biscuits! While I'm trying to resist all forms of bad food, these M&S cookies are far too yummy to be bad for you. From Lemon Meringue to Apple Crumble, they are currently pure temptation for me. (And will be the fuel for this weekend of wedding planning)

 

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Pasties Ahoy! 08/13/2010
 
Pasties Ahoy!

Last weekend saw the debut of my new pirate themed routine at the fabulous Burlesk! In Hastings. I had a fabulous time, from wandering through the streets after they'd broken the world record for the number of pirates in one place. Walking around the streets of the old town surrounded by thousands of pirates I felt as though Jerry Bruckheimer would be yeeling cut at any moment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-10897861

If you want to see my Pirate routine, then I'll be performing it at Exeter's premier burlesque event, Kinky & Quirky on the 20th August. It will be the last performance until I finally vanish into the world of tulle and tableplans. Hope to see you there xxx
www.kinkyandquirky.com
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