The excitement among dancesport competitors and spectators alike is growing exponentially in preparation for the fast-approaching 2017 Blackpool Dance Festival.
 
This famed competition, which runs from Thursday, May 25, to Friday, June 2, in Blackpool, England, is the largest ballroom dancing contest in the world. That being the case, dancers should pay keen attention to building up their stamina. Commonly, dancers can expect to dance 3-4 rounds in a competition, but at Winter Gardens, they can easily be required to dance up to seven rounds or more. Proper training and nutrition is key to being successful at an event of this magnitude.

In addition to proper training and nutrition, dancers have to look their absolute best. The hair, makeup, and costumes have to be as flawless as the routine itself.
 
For the women, it's crucially important to highlight the eyes. You can go with whatever theme you'd like, but accentuating the eyes to the fullest is a must if you want the judges to be able to connect with your dancing as well as your emotion.



Hair must be clean yet unique and purposeful. One of the more famed hair and makeup artists is Julia Karaseva. A former competitive dancer herself, Karaseva now focuses on the styling aspect of the dancesport world.

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Last but certainly not least, costumes, in some cases, can create just as much excitement as the performances. Costumes can varying greatly depending heavily on the genre and the personality of the couples wearing them. Here are some of my personal favorites from competitors in the past.




That dress tho! #PurpleRain 




The lady in Red.