Is ballroom dancing the last bastion of the perma-tan, or what?

It seems like all the couples I see in competition, especially in Latin, are tanned this deep, dark color. As long as they're dark-haired and dark-eyed, I can see how they might be trying to actually look latin themselves. (Look the part. ) But what's with everybody else?

I've been in the dance world all my life, but only fairly recently have I been exposed to much ballroom. I'm in love with the dancing, especially the latin, and competition is a goal. However, I am a fair-skinned natural blonde with blue eyes, and although I can and do get a little color, I have never ever been that super-dark color I see the competitors get. I really don't want to be that color, I can't imagine it.

What are your experiences? Is this peer pressure? Is it for the judges? Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to say they (the tan competitors) don't look good, I just know right now that I'm never going to be that color, and I'm wondering if there are any more of you out there.

I think I can cast a little light on your questions. And if I were under stage lights right now I'd cast plenty of light. I'm a fair, freckled redhead, (former ballet dancer as well,) who hates to do the protan thing. That being said, I do it anyway, not so much because I'm afraid of what the judges think, but because when I watch competitions, I notice when competitors are too pale. They stand out in a negative way. (Myself included on occasion, I'm sure.)

This is especially true in the latin, not only because competitors may be trying to look latin themselves, but I've noticed that in skimpy clothes pale people look more naked than tan people. (I don't know why. This is just my observation.) So I think the more skin you have exposed, (whatever category you compete in,) the darker you need to be, up to a point. As Jon said, you don't have to be a Nubian princess.

In the ballet world, as in Burn the Floor, most performances are theatrical productions where the lighting is designed to accentuate whatever look the performers are going for, which is normally somewhat related to their natural looks. Not so in ballroom competition. You get good ole natural hotel light most of the time, and if you're lucky some bonus theatrical lighting designed to help the stones on the dresses more than the skin tones of the people.

I don't know exactly who was in Burn the Floor, but I believe many of them are champions from different countries. There are plenty of champions who are naturally fair, but who tan to compete. I'm sure they were happy to have an opportunity to try and effect some change in ballroom norms, both in creating a forum for more creative use of ballroom dancing, and in incorporating different aesthetics. Whether or not one likes it is entirely individual, but I say good for them for taking the risk. But I digress.

In case you want some input on the actual tanning process, I have a new favorite product...Coppertone, and I believe Bain de Soleil as well, now offer self-tanners that come in two attached tubes, and only mix when you dispense them. The color is good, and it develops much faster and darker than anything else I've used so far, without being as unpleasant as Protan. Plus, it's readily available at your local drugstore.

I think I've gone on long enough about this now. Good luck with your dancing and your dillema.

Joy Kelly wrote:

[QUOTE]I was first attracted to ballroom by a show I saw, called Burn the Floor, not by seeing a competition. Here's something, though: except the dancers who looked *actually* ethnic, I didn't see any of those dark tans we're talking about. (On Burn the Floor.) Weren't those some of the top dancers in the world? They didn't look anything like the competitors I've seen.

Clue me in, please! [/QUOTQ]

I own a copy of "Burn the Floor". I don't believe this show represents anything of ballroom dancing nor having top ballroom dancers in the world in it. Actually I was very disappointed by the show that I watched the tape once and never have interests to watch it again. The tape may have 5% of ballroom dancing included but mainly the rest was just a stage presentation of costumes and a show that is too loud and too wild.

Getting back to the original question: No, it is by no means necessary to be dark as mud in order to keep up with the competition. It's kind of typical these days, especially in the Latin, but not totally necessary. What is important is that you be dark enough so that when you step out under the bright lights of the competition floor, you don't end up washing out like a neon ghost. Some naturally darker people can get away with very little preparation, but fair-skinned people like you and me need to work just to look normal.

Think of it this way: If you take your complexion in everyday life and subtract two to three shades, that's how dark you're going to look on the floor. If you want to look on the floor like you do in every day life, you'd be well-advised to do at least two, possibly three coats of pro-tan (or similar tanning product). That's just to make you look normal!

If you want to go a shade or two darker, it never hurts. Trust me, with your complexion as a starting point you're not going to look like the ultra-tan island princess unless you go to ridiculous extremes. Do a few shades and you'll look normal to slightly darker than normal. Just that little extra effort will help you a great deal out there.

Note that I am speaking in terms of fake tanning shades because I would never recommend that someone of your complexion use a tanning bed or (god forbid) the natural sun to prepare for competitions. If you were to do it once it probably wouldn't hurt, but frequently over the course of months or years is like playing russian roulette with skin cancer.

Pro Tan doesn't look totally natural, but fake tanning products have come along way in the last 10 to 15 years. With a little makeup to go with, it really doesn't look bad at all. Again, it's not necessary to be a nubian princess. Just a few coats will help you look normal. That's all.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson
white boy to the extreme

I just ordered burn the floor in the mail....got it today.......(I just happened to read your not-so-good comments on it today before it came in the mail and was quite disappointed being that I haven't seen it yet and was hoping it would be a good show) I watched the first half an hour..........yes its loud and I found myself asking myself "um ok, wheres the ballroom dancing?" o yea and "who are they?" Probably would have been better off ordering a tape of a competition or a festival. Hmmm....
as for tanning, I've always been a self-tanner fan myself(havent competed yet though!) but i've had my fair share of self-tanners. So far, there are several that are good. Whoever said that self tanner has come a long way in a few years was very right. I'm half Spanish/half German so I have skin that tans pretty easy in summer, but in winter, I think I look pretty pasty!
To take of that problem I've used:
*Estee Lauder Self Tanner for Face and Body (really really REALLY good stuff if you want a dark, glowing tan...looks absolutely fab on legs NO ORANGE I PROMISE)
*Epicuren Sunless Miracle(I sell this at my work, a little complicated to mix but a natural looking tan
*Murad Self Tanner for Face and Body(a lighter tan but probably the most natural ive ever used...smells gross but hey! don't they all?)
*Neutrogena self tanner(totally gross, totally orange, totally stinky......three words--->DONT BUY IT)
I hear Coppertone Endless Summer is quite good.....by the way I've never tried Pro-tan or Superbraun, how do they work and how do u guys rate it?

Sarah