On the eyes Charmain applies irridiscent glitter, pink glitter and navy blue underliner. On the lips is Milani Glossy Tube Lipgloss in Pink. - photos by Tesi Johnson

Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Soca season is here, when revellers will glee-fully follow instructions to, "move to the left, wine down to the ground, jump and wave, and jump and wave some more". It is like a trip to aerobics class and flexibility is the name of the game as you 'wuk up and get on bad'.

As such, choose comfortable clothing that breathes and allows for flexibility for attending the ftes leading up to the road parade and the parade itself, if you won't be 'playing mas'.

Denim is not ideal, since it limits flexibility and is not a very breathable fabric. If you must wear jeans, go with the stretch variety, which allows more movement.

Provide extra support for the 'girls' by wearing a sports brassiere to keep them in check while you're jumping. A cotton tank top with inset brassiere is great.

Carry two rags, one to soak up perspiration and the other to wave.

Remember those dreadful fanny packs from the '90s that were the ultimate UN-fashionable accessory?

Well fannies are back with a vengeance as international designers have revamped the image of the handy waist-pack.

Filling your fanny

Sunblock, so you may reapply if necessary at some point in the day.

Cellphone, so you can jeer your friends at home about all the fun they're missing.

Keys to your house, car, etc., and other items that you feel you must carry on your person. Otherwise, avoid walking with valuables.

"This is the time to have fun with make-up," says Charmain Duhaney, make-up artist at Body Accents, Shop 13, Mall Plaza, Constant Spring Road. In sprucing up the face for the coming carnival road parade, and the ftes leading up to it, the "less is more" rule of applying make-up is tossed through the window, as Charmain encourages revellers to get creative with their make-up, and maybe even go a little over the top. "You don't have to blend, your colours can stand out if you like," she says. "Just have fun!"

Preparing the skin

Preparing the skin for a full day of 'getting on bad' is paramount.

First, cleanse with a cleanser suitable for your skin type.

Apply a toner, and this will minimise the appearance of pores, and more importantly will prevent bacteria and germs from getting into the skin.

Apply a moisturiser with sunscreen to the face and neck to protect from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays.

Choosing your products

If you wish to wear a foundation, products like Revlon Colour Stay, Mary Kay Medium Coverage Foundation, Mac Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation are best, Charmain explains, as they do not 'run' when you perspire. "When you perspire it takes the form of a foundation and when dry it goes back to powder form", she says.

After foundation and powder, add bronzer to give a 'glow' to the skin, and it's time to get funky!

"Carnival is not carnival without glitter," says Charmain, and encourages revellers to put glitter anywhere - eyes, lashes, lips, and such.

For the face, choose the finest glitter, and for the body, the heaviest glitter.

Finish up with eyeliners that will not bleed or give you 'panda eyes.'

"Lashes are in," says Charmain, "so you can wear lashes as heavy as you like and adorn them with glitter", and use only waterproof mascara.

Clean-up

Use an eye make-up remover to cleanse the area around the eyes.

A cream cleanser is best for removing make-up, which you would massage into the skin and rinse off with warm water.

Tone, by applying a toner to the face, then moisturise.

- T.J.