Hi there, bohemians; welcome to the blog again, where I share all my tips on the near-decade I spent working in the club. As I’m retired, I share all the tea and helpful posts that are tricks of the trade no one wants you to know.
DIY TIPS TO HAVE A STRIPPER LIFESTYLE ON A BUDGET
It’s hard to maintain life as a stripper, between all the hair, nails, outfits, house fees, tip out, facials, make-up, stripper wear, and accessories. It can all add up quickly. Now, see my other post on making your money last, but here are some other DIY tips on saving money or increasing income as a dancer.
BTW this is a slightly longer post but it’s wroth it ;)
DIY CUSTOMIZATION
It’s easy to visit a strip store or Victoria’s Secret, but we know both overcharge for essentially the same products. Unless you really need the VS logo on your G-string, consider the options below:
You can buy affordable items such as bodysuits, lingerie sets, or fishnet stockings from stores like Amazon, Shein, and Forever 21. Ensure they do not have glitter, as clients and clubs tend to dislike it.
If you find a plain bodysuit, you can easily customize it by adding rhinestones, sequins, fringe, or fabric paint to make it stand out. Craft stores like Michaels and online shops like Etsy sell embellishments that can be sewn or glued onto outfits.
Not only can you save a lot of money by DIY stoning or cutting it to fit your body, but customizing lets you create one-of-a-kind pieces tailored to your style.
Now, don’t buy your T-back from a secondhand store (ew). However, for other dancewear, especially for clubs that require evening gowns (yes, this is a thing), here is a nice list of ideas for thrifting outfits. Check local thrift stores, online secondhand shops like Poshmark, Depop, and ThredUp, or even eBay for unique items. I have had luck buying and selling old dance clothes on Poshmark. I also found a vintage robe that I wore instead of a gown on colder nights. Lingerie doesn’t have to be expensive. There are also some super cute sets at Nordstrom for cheap (go search it, I promise).
For other online retailers, try AliExpress, Yandy, and Dolls Kill. These sites often sell costumes, lingerie, and festival wear that can also double as exotic dance outfits.
Wait until Black Friday or Semi-Annual Sales, make sure you utilize points and sign up for email alerts for discounts, especially around major sales events.
Try recycling dancewear or making it yourself, which is way easier than it seems. If you know how to sew, you can always go to the fabric store and make a design yourself. However, I don’t really recommend this one, as there are many other easier and cheaper alternatives. Even Amazon has some cheap bodysuits you can cut up and rhinestone yourself. Instead of spending $100 on an expensive VS sparkly rhinestone suit, spend $10 on a bodysuit and $8 on rhinestones and glue (E600).
Some social media groups on Facebook might have other resources for dancers to get and swap recycled clothes. I have especially seen different dancer and raver wear on Esty.
In addition, this means don’t go out and buy new pairs of shoes; instead, get your super glue out and improve the ones you have. Buy a pack of rhinestones and glue them on yourself instead of spending the $200 those sparkling shoes cost.
DIY SELF CARE
Nails: You can also stop getting manicures and pedicures and do them at home. It’s really too dark in the club, and men usually don’t care about nails as long as they are well-manicured. I used to spend a ton on gel but then learned to do it at home.
Lashes & Brows: This also goes for lashes and eyebrows. It’s easy to learn how to use serums for eyebrows or makeup. For lashes, extensions are also easy to learn, or just use old-fashioned mascara and glue instead of expensive lash extensions.
Makeup: The two things I will not say to cheap out on are makeup and hair. These two things can make or break you. Spend some money here and budget for it accordingly. If you can’t spend it, however, some affordable options are IT Cosmetics, VS Makeup & Body Spray, ELF Cosmetics, and BH Cosmetics for makeup. But please buy a good foundation. Don’t cheap out if you don’t have to; your skin will thank you.
Hair: For hair, visit salons that are training new hairstylists. I would go to the Aveda salon here. It does take longer (way longer because they are training), but I booked my appointment early in the morning and brought work with me. This is an easy way to get a full service for cheap. I do not recommend using sites like Groupon ever for hair. Ever.
GET A STRIPPER THERAPIST,
Especially when dealing with financial issues; it’s hard not to associate your self-worth with what you make and bring home each night. This is one part of self-care that you can’t DIY. The bad part about making little and having to budget can eat you. It’s super important to have someone to vent this to. Maybe it’s your BFF, partner (I don’t recommend this), or a trusted family member. If you don’t have these or don’t want to tell anyone about your struggles by a mental health professional, you can vent all your stripper shit. The app I recommend is Better Help (not sponsored). It’s super cheap; you get a few monthly sessions for a subscription, and you can do it on an app on your phone. I utilized this the MOST in 2021; stripping during a quarantine was intense. I didn’t get into anything hardcore like all my other issues, but this therapy did the trick when I needed to unload all the club drama and bullshit.
FIND A SIDE HUSTLE
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, here are seven ideas for great side hustles for strippers who don’t want to drive for Uber.
1. Content Creation and Subscription Platforms: OnlyFans, Patreon, and Fansy – you don’t have to create more sexy content, but you can focus on BTS or fitness routines.
2. Social Media Management or Influencer Work: This includes managing YouTube, TikTok, and IG accounts that match your stripper persona.
3. Personal Training or Dance Coaching: great for those with pole skills or strong people skills. Find a studio or offer online coaching for other dancers.
4. Selling Customized Merchandise or Digital Products – it can be related to stripping or not. Just try to find a personalized brand that you can capitalize on.
5. Freelance Work in Creative Fields – photography, graphic design, and blogging are perfect for during the day. You can find work on Upwork or Fiverr pretty easily. I also recommend voice-over work. Strippers have some of the best, prettiest voices I know, and it’s easy to start a portfolio on social media.
6. Event Hosting or Promotional Modeling – do Red Bull or beer promotions, work as a freelance bartender on GigSalad, or with a production company. Look on Craigslist or Facebook model forums for photographers and businesses looking for models.
7. Virtual Assistance or Administrative Work – lastly, the most boring one but probably the most stable. You can find options on Indeed, Remote.co, or the other freelancing sites above.
Sorry for the long post but conflict = no money
Resolution = DIY + Side Hustles
Love & Glitter,
BW
