Contouring—in my opinion, this usually backfires. When done incorrectly, you will create a "Lily Munster" look with strange looking cheekbones, and shadows across your face. Do use a highlighter on the apples of your cheeks.
Don't use frosted white eye shadow under your brows, as the lights and any camera will distort the image. Do use a flat white pencil instead.
Don't line your lips with black or dark brown. Instead, choose a color 2-3 shades darker than your lipstick. Ths will define your lips, but still appear natural.
Take extra care when doing your eyes. The eyes are the window of the soul. For centuries, women in the Middle East have been veiled, revealing only their eyes. Aspire to create expressive and beautiful eyes with your makeup. Blondes and redheads should use brown liners, so as not to give a "hard" look, while brunettes can wear brown-black to black colors.
Experiment with your makeup. Have a friend take a picture, and maybe a video clip of you. Do you look natural, but exotic as well? Do your colors blend, or are there distinct lines where rouge or shadows meet? Study magazines or books which feature Middle Eastern women. Be open to suggestion and be creative! Try to develop a beautiful and glamorous look that is all your own.
Thia is a middle eastern dancer extra-ordinaire, winner of the prestigious "Headliner Belly dancer of the Year 2000" has emerged as on of the brightest stars in Utah. She is the owner of the 'Egyptian Dance" studio, "Touch of Arabia" belly gram company and has performed in Greece, Germany and Turkey. Early in her life, Thia was exposed to Middle Eastern dance in an ethnic community in New York City. Her family's attitude instilled in her an appreciation for the varied cultures of the many faces of our world. They immersed themselves in the different neighborhoods of New York enjoying the foods, entertainment, dancing, style of dress, attitudes and language. From this background emerged the fantasy that Thia has realized for herself.