OK, I seem to have a lot of visitors to the site looking at my Geleration review so I thought I’d write a slightly more detailed/useful review.

I’ve tried quite a couple of different Gel style manicures and they are my nails of choice for when I want something that looks grown up. My nails look shiny, well kempt and well…expensive. I do a lot of random stuff with my hands which means that the normal manicures (no matter where or what polish) don’t seem to last longer than two days tops. By the third day they look battered, scratched just not pretty any more.

The Good…

For a couple of pounds more I can have the gel layers built up (or the Glitter) in around the same time and have ‘good’ nails for a week – week and a half. They are great for holidays or busy weeks where you know you’ll be photographed and want less time to worry about any unkempt hands. I’m even at the point where I’m debating getting my own set of varnishes and little UV machine.

The Bad….

But – they are a pain to take off. You have to soak the nails in Acetone nail varnish before painstakingly removing the gel and I’ve found if I have them more often than once a month my nails get very weak (hopefully that’s not due to my method of removal). It’s obviously no good as well if you’re wanting to change your varnish quickly to suit your mood (or if you work in an area that bans varnish) and the range of colours tends to be very limited.

The Summery….

Go for it. Don’t believe the places that tell you it’ll last for weeks and weeks. If you’re going away for two weeks then bring along a matching colour for touch ups. I haven’t noticed any difference in longevity between places that charge a fortune and those that don’t so don’t feel you need to pay a fortune.

Every so often, life really does have that movie magic, although with a lot less spontaneously choreographed dancing. Eye's that meet across a crowded bar, The underdog powering through at the last minute - or a seemingly chance meeting that turns out to be perfectly placed. It's almost enough to make you believe in those "Reality shows" that are plaguing our screens at the moment - full of carefully constructed settings, extras and plotlines. 

A couple of months ago, I was showing off my non-local skills in London by actually looking at a map on  the underground. Trying to work out just how to change lines at a one line station. Stood next to me was someone being as confused by the complete non-helpfulness of the instructions as I was. We instinctively tapped into our inner Blanche Dubois, and relying on the kindness of each other we struck out in search of the fabled connecting station.

 Since I suffer from the inability to walk 10 steps without at least some sort of gossip, we started chatting - at which point I found out that she was not only a costume designer, but had been busy shopping for a London celebrity. I mentioned I was after a new costume and we swapped details and then went on our merry way.A couple of phonecalls later (and one deeply envy inducing conversation where she mentioned her latest movie...*cough* Dark Shadows...) we had sketches, swatches and serendipity to thank for this:

 My wonderful new costume (Pre Rhinestoning) - based on the fabulous Rita Hayworth's dress in Gilda.

I know she's currently taking on commissions so anyone wanting to discuss any costuming idea should contact her ASAP - You can view her website at http://robynmanton.weebly.com

Well I didn’t part any seas…or even puddles..and I’ve spent plenty of time in the desert without getting lost…and I prefer a tablet computer to a stone tablet…but I have got my own Burlesque Commandments.

Just thought I’d share them with you – cause…well. Look at number 9. Why not. Would love to hear of anyone else's golden rules.

10 Commandments

1) The day you stop learning, you stop improving.

2) Look like you’re worth every penny – and then some.

3) Innovators beat imitators every time.

4) When in doubt – think Drag.

5) You can always find room for another Rhinestone.

6) If you don’t think you can do it – why should anyone else?

7) Practise makes perfect.

8) The audience like those who love it.

9) Why not? You never know – take that chance, help out another performer and don’t ignore opportunity when it’s kicking down the door..

10) Have fun!

1)     The day you stop learning, you stop improving.

I love learning new skills – whether they are performing, dance, costuming or just something new that I never even though of doing. In November alone, I have Charleston Lessons, Fire eating lessons and will learn how to make the perfect skirt for a new costume. So I admit to always being a touch surprised when I met performers who seem to feel they’ve learnt enough. The performers who continue learning and pushing their limits are the performers who continue to improve and after talking to quite a few of my burlesque idols & inspirations, they all admit to constantly trying to expand their knowledge and ability.

2)     Look like you’re worth every penny – and then some.

You want the audience to not feel cheated? You want promoters to start paying you a decent sum? Then look like you’ll be giving them their money worth. A good costume doesn’t make a good performer, but it sure as hell helps disguise a poor one.  Oh – an off the rack purchase does not a costume make. There is no excuse for not even trying to customise and there are plenty of costuming money saving short cuts to take. But don’t expect to rock up in a polyester hen night outfit and be headlining. My rule of thumb, learnt from a Burlesque Hero, is to budget 10 times what you hope to charge for the routine on a costume. 

3)     Innovators beat imitators every time.

Are you a tribute artist or an original? Unless you are marketing yourself as a tribute artist then don’t copy. It’s amazing how quickly gossip moves in this industry and that coupled with the internet means copycats are found out every time. You may think it’s a generic idea, but by copying the costume, music and feel of the routine, you’re just making enemies and making yourself appear lazy & uncaring. Not exactly high praise. Oh and if you are a tribute artist, follow Carrie Ann O’Dell example and pay extra close attention to costuming and choreography. 

4)     When in doubt – think Drag.

Glitter and feathers are never going to help bring out your inner wallflower. Face it now and accept that sometimes you just have to supercharge the glamour. If you’re unsure – add height to the hair and glitter to everything.

5) You can always find room for another Rhinestone.

                Seriously – I’ve even seen performers rhinestone the underside of their shoes. You don’t need to rhinestone up to be a performer – but if you’re going down the glamour route they really are your best friend.                   

6) If you don’t think you can do it or are any good – why should anyone else?

This doesn’t apply to newbies – we’ve all been there. This does apply to those who should know better. Sometimes an act will go wrong – and sometimes it will go seriously wrong. You know it, We know it – and there’s a chance the audience knows it. Spending the rest of the evening backstage agonising over it and asking if it was ok and if you should stop performing isn’t helping anyone.  

And while we’re on the subject. Popping up on Facebook & Twitter under your stage name and agonising over whether you’re a good performer or not, or if you should quit is another no-no. Why would any promoter book someone who might decide tomorrow that they don’t want to perform anymore? And the same goes for announcing you’re quitting if you aren’t 100% sure. Much better to announce you’re taking a break if you need to make any big decisions.

7) Practise makes perfect.

We’ve all had to wing it on occasion. But knowing your routine inside & out will make any cover ups look so much smoother. Practise is also the key to making it look as though it’s natural. And a mirror is your best friend – just cause a move looks great on one person, it can make another look like a clumsy troll.

8) The audience like those who love it.

Watching a live show should be an amazing experience. Some of the best performers, bands and singers make every audience feel special and they are loved for it. That’s why people will pay to see them and not just spend the evening at home with Youtube.  The worst thing you can do is ignore or glaze over the audience – that’s the quickest way to lose their interest & sympathy. And seriously – why wouldn’t you love them? They’re cheering you!

9) Why not? 

You never know – take that chance, help out another performer and don’t ignore opportunity when it’s kicking down the door..
Sometimes that chance meeting, conversation or visit will provide you with an amazing opportunity. Oh, and don’t be selfish backstage. If you can help out someone, then why not? You pay it forward in the hope that one day you’ll be helped out when needed.

10) Have fun! 

How lucky are we to be performing? Life is good, enjoy! 

Last month I attended the fabulous ‘House of Burlesque’ a regular event at the Kings theatre in Southsea, Portsmouth. Hosted by the gloriously twisted Mister Joe Black (www.misterjoeblack.com ) it’s one of the best UK shows, regularly showcasing the rich variety that makes up the British Burlesque Scene. And what makes it even more of a feast for the eyes, is the theatre itself. Gloriously ornate with decorations every single place they could cram them in.

www.kings-southsea.com/

And you simply can’t turn up to a theatre like that underdressed…well unless it’s in a Donna Jane Corset that is.

Donna is a couture designer based in Bristol with the most amazing corset making skills – She can do things with a simple piece of cotton that simply transforms your figure into a mass of swooping curves – while at the same time being a hundred more times comfortable than any pair of Spanx style items I’ve ever tried .

Track her down on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DonnaJane3), Twitter (@_Donna_Jane) or e-mail her at donnajane82@gmail.com.

And those eagle eyed reader will have spotted the logo on the photo of Mr Scott Chalmers (http://about.me/scottchalmersphotography). A Southampton based photographer who is simply the photographer for Hampshire burlesquers. He has the magical ability to manipulate light and angles to produce some of the most stunning photos I can think of.

In honour of the first cyber outing of the Eris corset, I’m going to give away a pair of designer Pasties. All you need to do is to comment on any blog post and be following me on Twitter. The winner will be picked at random &  announced on Twitter on Halloween

I may have a slight red lipstick addiction…I have nearly identical colour lipsticks from Benefit, Besame, Chanel, Mac, Dior, Maybelline, Max Factor and some where the label rubbed off long ago. But I still search for the fabled lipstick. One that will go on smoothly, stay in place and give me the red carpet pout I want with no effort.

Red lipstick does so much more then any other colour I can think of. It’s more Woman then girl and as most people play safe lisptick wise, you immediately stand out. (And are much more likely to have Men hold doors, give up seats and even apologise for bumping into you in London.)

It’s benefit’s aren’t for the shy or retirings types – which is probably why Kate Moss looks so good in Adverts for Rimmels new lipstick range.  Launched with much fanfare (over here in the UK at least) there are just a couple of colours, but they manage to get in all the must haves, from the barely there to the bright Hollywood red in the adverts.

Rimmel is almost a tardis to me. My first lipstick that was constantly plastered on my lips in my teenage years was a Rimmel lipstick, and at college I’d have at least one concealor and eyeliner floating around my bag. But since then I never really tend to buy anything Rimmel (with the honourable exception of nail varnishes). I’d consigned it to those days, along with torn fishnet tights, Lolita goth style and the ability to hide from sunlight for hours on end. Rimmel was reliable, affordable but not really exciting so apart from emergency buying of eyeliner it made way for for more exciting or grown up brands.  

But my name is Eris, and I’m a make up junkie. So it was only a matter of time (ok…days) before I fell for the bright bright red of the adverts (Shade 01) and decided to add to my ever growing collection of  Red lipsticks. They’ve obviously spent a bit of time and money on the packaging. It stands out from the other rimmel lipsticks by being in a ever so fashionably Black – but with a bright print of Kate’s signiture. They’ve also added a strange fragrence to it – one that reminds me strangely of the sweet section in oriental food markets.Somewhere along the line you get the impression they decided to appeal to someones daughter, but sweet notes aren’t something I look for in a lipstick. But the colour – oh the colour is perfect. A gloriously bright red that stays pretty well and is so easy to wear. I’ve received compliments every day I’ve worn it. Of course it isn’t as glossy as in the adverts but I prefer Matt lipsticks anyway – at least this way you have the option to slick on some lipgloss to shine it up.

            It may not be my holy grail of lipsticks, but it currently has pride of place in my handbag (beating out the Chanel) and may even tempt me to have another look at the Rimmel counter.

This weekend went by in a fabulous blur. Saturday I performed at the Purple Parlour in Southampton. A brand new burlesque night run by the fantastic team of Honey Falls, Merely Scrumptious and Vie O’lette. Backstage was a wonderful blur of stockings, feathers and merkins as always but made extra special by the fabulous Ruby Rebelle (accompanied by Mama Rebelle), Mr Mistress (who’s amazing fan dance to ‘Do it like a Dude’ made me smile all night long & my favourite compare – Sally Monella. Not to mention the other amazing performers, including a couple of debutantes who made it a fabulous night. Hurrah to them all!

Sunday was then spent in the presence of my absolutely favourite performer – the stunning Anna Fur Laxis. She was down south with some of her wonderful workshops, Victory Rolls, Vintage make up, Merkin making and posing with confidence and it was an absolutely fabulous way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It was the kind of workshop I’d have found invaluable a couple of years ago, but even now there was enough useful nuggets to keep my scribbling down notes as fast as I could. And since then I’ve been using her fool proof eyeliner flick technique every day. (The merkin I think I’ll save for special occasions).

You can read the Anna Fur Laxis blog on here trip down south here: www.annafurlaxis.tumblr.com

           

My favourite Burlesque Queen - Anna Fur Laxis is coming down south this weekend to run some of her fabulous workshops.

If you've ever wanted to be a pin up bettie, then come and learn how to do perfect victory rolls, retro make up and how to pose for the camera, not to mention merkin 101, then you need to be at this class: http://shop.annafurlaxis.com/product/afternoon-of-workshops-southampton-23-october-2011

Apologies everyone, I stopped blogging as my site was meant to be under reconstruction surgery - but instead it went into a constant holding pattern. So I figured I'd nose dive straight back i

This weekend was spent vainly wishing for the golden age of rail travel to reappear. I do feel that I wouldn’t mind the constant delays quite so much if I good spend it in a old fashioned dining car with a glass of wine and the harmless flirting with suited strangers. Instead now we have the aroma of Burger Kings and the catcalls of football fans…But I did make up the travel misery by having a wonderful time in Reading – up for Vintagenie’s Show Off Sunday I was sharing the bill with a lovely mix of variety acts and the venue with some amazing Vintage stalls. – It’s going to be a regular thing, so keep an eye out on https://twitter.com/Vintagenie

I’m currently in love with a pair of gloves with a buttoned wrist that I’m probably going to wear more this winter then they’ve been worn all decade. If you’re looking for some more vintage clothing sources then I really recommend www.outoftimevintage.weebly.com