Peek Into a Dancer's Bag

Warning!: This post is going to be a little graphic. Newbies! Don't forget to stay fresh to death. Feminine Deodorant, along with baby wipes, are the biggest must- haves of all. Experienced dancers already know this. In the beginning, I had no real guidance from any other dancers. Everything I learned was acquired by observation, or trial and error. I didn't even know of this product, and I constantly worried about my "freshness". This was god-send for me because it gave me confidence, and piece of mind. I don't recommend the "baby powder" scented spray cuz I used it once and when I was doing some floorwork near a guy he said VERY loudly,"Whoa! You smell like a baby!" hahaha I didn't know whether to laugh or be offended, so I laughed outwardly and was mildly embarrassed inwardly. Try using the floral, or tropical scented sprays. Another thing that was tricky for me was working during "that time of the month". Once I cut a tampon string, inserted it, then a few hours later, I COULD NOT find it anywhere. It was as if it was lost in some type of vaginal abyss. It was like WAAY in there. So I panicked, payed $50 to leave early, and went home to continue my "search". After that experience I never cut the strings anymore. I think it is much easier to insert the tampon and the string, because it simplifies the removal process. On the topic of hygiene, remember to stay fully shaved from the neck down. Hair in the nether-regions can be how you like as long as its not poppin' out to say, "Hello!" from your g string. For razor burns I just use bikini zone gel. It stings like a mofo, and it'll make you wish you weren't born for a few seconds, but it allows you to shave your bikini area daily with little to no burns.

Do You Really Care?

I have pondered this many times: Do you really care if a guy that comes to the club leaves smelling of your perfume, or having a little bit of makeup on his clothes? OK, I DON'T leave kiss marks, but the picture is just for effect. I bought Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce men's cologne for myself simply because I like the smell. I put it on at work and one girl said," Oh, that's a good idea to wear men's cologne so customers won't go home smelling like a stripper!" I didn't even think of that. That got me thinking about girls at work who care about what happens to a guy after he leaves the club. Sure, its respectful, and might secure you a regular, but does it even concern you? A man that has a lady at home while hes going to the clubs is gonna be going no matter what the consequences are. Is it worth the added stress of having to worry about how makeup might rub off or how much perfume you can use? NO. Analogy: When I worked at a coffee shop did I care about how the caffeine or calories of the drink effected the customer after he drank it? No. I just made sure that he had a damn good latte, and knew that if he wanted a good cup o' joe he knew who could deliver...ME. Any man that walks through the club doors knows what he's getting himself into.

"How Much Money Do You Make a Night?"

This is a question that I am asked over and over again anytime I tell people what I do for a living. Its primarily asked by the women I meet, because I don't tell men I meet that I dance. It just prompts creepy stares and once a guy knows your a stripper its like a license to be vulgar and disrespectful towards you. Thats just from my experiences. If you like that kind of attention thats your choice. Anyways, I think its adorable when women of all shapes and sizes ask me this because I can always detect a bit of curiosity, and excitement in their voices. I am upfront and I never try to make myself seem better than I really am. I tell them that sometimes I leave OWING money. There are nights where I am just not in the groove and I'll honestly sit backstage most of the time playing Yhatzee on my phone instead of hustling. Then there are nights where I leave with $1200 or more in my pocket. It just depends on my mood, motivation, and the atmosphere of the club. This is something I had no idea about until like 3 months into my dancing career, but I pay the bouncers extra, or a small portion of my champagne room ( $20 to $40 depending), just to set me up with clients in the VIP. It is so awesome when you're on stage to have the DJ say, "Chanel, when you're done with your set I want you straight up to VIP". That means someone saw your show, the bouncer hinted at how good you are, and someone wants to meet you. Plus as much as I love the other girls, its a victory for the ego and it strengthens your position at the club as a dancer of power and importance. This technique also works because men want what they can't have. If they are aware that a man in the VIP section is wanting you, then its like a primal urge to fight the alpha male for the best female or at least test the waters to find out what the hype is about. Call me crazy, but I think of these kinds of things. It works! When I am out of VIP getting ready to go back onstage, sometimes I don't even make it as far as the dressing room before somebody wants a dance. Its like a lucrative chain of events. Find what works for you and stick with it.

Fake Eyelashes

You'd be amazed what fake eyelashes can do for your face. They aren't necessarily a must, but they definitely are a PLUS. A girl at my club wears fake lashes all day everyday, and once she came in without them and she just looked uummm...tired. When I apply them I just use my fingers instead of tweezers as I feel I have more control that way. I usually use KISS brand lashes, but any brand will work, even some dollar store lashes. Avoid super long, costumey ones with too much glitter and jazz. Just use the black ones medium in length. The real key here is thickness. On the red carpet, many stars will actually wear two or more pairs of lashes, but in our case just one pair will do. Make sure you get them as close to your real lashes as possible, and you can hide the seams with a smokey eye, or liquid liner for a cat- like effect.