Rubys guide to aid you in your Burlesque shoot…

1. Streaky tan lines on a Burlesque shoot do not look inviting. Looking like a Burly-Q Queen means looking like a polised 50’s starlet. Skin should be your natural tone and oh so soft. (This is not a shoot for a Tango ad…take heed). 

2. Make sure you don’t wear tight fitting clothing before your shoot. Trust us, waiting for the dents in your skin where your jeans have cut into your stomach or your socks into your ankles can be a long process. It’s much better to wear something loose and flowy. This way the shoot can proceed in a quick and efficient manner.

3. Know your photographer and make sure that they are a qualified professional. You should never be persuaded or pressured into doing something you do not want to; such as removing more clothing than you are comfortable with or making suggestive poses. 

4. Know your stylist and work with them! Don’t let the stylist completely take over, remember that these are your pictures and you want to look like you, not some over-air-brushed poptart on the cover of a magazine. Yes the stylist may have a few tricks up their sleeves to enhance your look but remember that Burlesque is all about being comfortable with your own body. (Remember, the customer i.e. you, always knows best).

5. Take lots of different outfits to choose from and talk through them with your stylist/photographer. It’s good to have a nice chat with your photographer before hand to make sure you both establish exactly what you want from the shoot and how you are both going to achieve it. 

6. Don’t cake on the make-up! Although some looks in Boudoir & Burlesque are a little heavier, the camera will pick out every tiny clump of mascara, flake of powder and lump of lippie! Less is more…(Until it comes to the outfits of course!).

7. Make sure that you have matching attire that feels comfortable. (This is in case you are hit by a bus on the way to the shoot). 

As you can see from these pictures, Burlesque doesn’t mean showing as much flesh as you can! It’s all about being relaxed, sexy and confident in the skin you have.

During the Burlesque shoot, Kate, John & I had the chance to try out a number of fabulous outfits and looks, the one below was one of my favourites. Kate had brought a gorgeous silk boned corset which we teamed with frilly french knickers and long satin gloves.

Over the next few weeks I will be showing more pictures from the shoot and discussing the styling ideas, dramas and laughs we had creating these beautiful images.

***Images by John Divers. Model: Kate. Stylist & Make-Up:Ruby Divine***

This season Urban Kittys is all about the three S’s;

Sexy, Sassy & Sultry…

As mentioned before, I have been taking part in an exciting new venture from John Divers Photography which celebrates beautiful, real women by taking Boudoir & Burlesque to the front line.
But what is it that makes somebody a sexy siren? This is our quick guide to becoming a vixen…

CALLING ALL BOMBSHELLS!

If you want to play the part of the sultry temptress, you must make sure you have the perfect look. We have put together our top ten essentials to looking and feeling like smouldering Burly-Queen.

1. To achieve the perfect base for the look of a bombshell, ensure that your skin looks as smooth as silk. The best way to achieve this is by wearing a light matte foundation and lightly sweeping coral blusher over your cheekbones.

2. Make a statement with highly arched eyebrows outlined in thick, dark pencil.

3. Eyes should be lined over the top lid in black liquid liner with an outwards flick. Give your eyes a sexy cat flutter by applying more mascara (and maybe even some false lashes) to the outsides.

4. Pouty, full lips are an essential to the bombshell look. Make sure you apply lots of ruby red lippie along with a high shine gloss.

5. Every burlesque queen should have beautifully manicured talons, make sure your nails match your lip colour for perfect co-ordination.

6. Whether your hair is long or short, bouncy curls and smooth waves are the way forward. Whether hair is pinned up or swept to one side, make sure you have plenty of volume. A sweeping fringe over one eye will create a teasing peek-a-boo effect – perfect for adding more intensity to your ‘come hither’ gaze.

7. Everybody knows that burlesque is all about glamour and suggestion, so make sure you pull out all the stops on your outfit. Lacy stockings with a silk suspender belt always look provocative, try this look and let the cameras roll. Remember that skyscraper heels with this outfit are essential.

8. Your attire should scream sensual, sexy and feminine so go for soft floaty fabrics like silk or chiffon.

9. Props are also a major part of the burlesque scene, for the saucy minxes a whip or tickle stick go down well. For the shyer violets a hand held fan or a lace umbrella work a treat.

10. Finally, burlesque is all about finding your inner goddess, have fun with it and don’t take yourself too seriously.

***Image by John Divers (www.johndivers.com). Model: Kate. Stylist & Make-Up:Ruby Divine***

Hello again! You may have noticed that Urban Kittys has not been updated recently - over the past three months I have been working together with John Divers Photography to deliver you hot new content!

Look out for the beautiful pictures of the Boudoir to Burlesque shoots we have been creating and stay plugged in to read all about what i’ve been up to…

Ciao for now,

Ruby xXx

Who would have thought that an afternoon trip to Leeds would have been THIS entertaining? First of all, we found a mellow voiced guitar guy strumming it out, around the corner we came across a cool back-flipper,  and to top it all off, a man with a singing pet dog…what a day!