Carnival is only a few days away and I can’t even say I’m excited...I’m FRIGGIN excited! Every year we look forward to these two days when we can bare our bodies, “pretty up” ourselves and use endless amounts of glitter without someone asking if we had a rumble with Edward Cullen; but before you think about all the bajillion accessories that you’re going to buy at the store with the purple bag (*ahem* gimmeh some makeup nah…), here are some useful carnival tips that might save you some pre- & post-carnival stress!

Don't flake on the sunscreen…or you’ll be flaking for weeks after de Stage! Everyone Burns! Including you person-of-colour-reading-this-column. If you can find a foundation with sunscreen in it, even better. It will ensure that your face is just as protected from the sun as your body. Sunglasses are also essential to protect those corneas from getting fried like plantains.

Do try to avoid buying “footwear fuh de road” on the carnival weekend - corns aren't cute. To avoid ugly post carnival feet, buy your boots/sneakers way in advance. Use every chance you get to put on your carnival kicks and walk around the house, stretch them out to ensure they’re comfortable for carnival Monday and Tuesday. When you put on your boots DO NOT forget to wear socks to avoid chafing from occurring.  Dr. Scholl’s also offers several gel innersoles which will keep you comfortable for more than 3 miles!

Always buy an extra pair of tights/stockings! Some people think that they can use one pair of tights on both days, you can...but only if you plan to dance like a mannequin. Do check that the colour tights that you buy is the same or similar to your complexion. Feel free to ask the store clerk if they can open the pack of tights to allow you to put your hand through it to just make sure the colour is right. If you do get a hole in your tights before leaving the house, dont worry, a little clear nail polish around the edges of the hole will stop it from running.

Instead of spending extra money on getting your make up done, there are several makeup tutorials online that will give you step by step instructions on how to get that carnival look you want to achieve.  Makeupgeek.com has some great MAC makeup charts that will show you which colours to use and where to apply them.  There also quite a few makeup video tutorials on Youtube.com and also on (believe it or not) the WorldNewswebsite.

A great tip (especially for germaphobes like yours truly) is having hand sanitizer on hand – Wet Ones are also a good option and are easily found in small travel size packs in any pharmacy or Pennywise! You’ll be climbing walls, holding onto poles, climbing onto the wee-wee truck, touching up people, and spreading germs faster than Snooki goes through men. A little bottle of hand sanitizer can go a long way and keep you germ free throughout the whole day. 

Your band might be providing food and drinks on the road but always make sure you have vex money. Just to be safe, separate it. Put some in a mini Ziploc bag in your shoes or any other creative, sanitary hiding places, and some in your purse. If you are walking with a purse, always make sure it’s in front of you or you’re holding it at all times to avoid being pick-pocketed. If you really need to walk with your camera or blackberry, rock the mini Ziploc bag and keep it in your purse as much as possible to avoid unnecessary attention from thieves. To be quite honest, you should really invest in a “me too” cheap phone and a disposable camera to be on the safe side.

Check back soon for more makeup tips so we avoid looking like a contestant for RuPaul’s Drag Race. 

Cheers

Afiya

Curious about what was buzzing last year? Check out: Carnival Liberties: Hot or Not