Carnival for most people over the world means Ferris Wheels, Candied Apples and the dreaded House of Mirrors.
For us here in Jamaica and the Caribbean, Carnival is a series of events with a Soca theme, barely there outfits and the BIG day deemed as Road March where people dress in costumes and fete through the streets of Kingston.
Carnival in Jamaica has grown and people over the world are more curious than ever about the festivities and are traveling to the Island. If you are planning on attending Carnival in Jamaica this year, here are 5 tips to help you prepare.
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One doesn’t simply just show up to Carnival in any old thing — you could but you would definitely stand out like a sore thumb. Carnival in Jamaica is all about the costumes which depend on which band you’ll jump with. A band is not the musical type but think of it as a group of people in similar costumes. If you decided to jump with the Xodus Jamaica band, for example, you would go on their website and purchase one of their costumes. In Jamaica, it’s all about jumping with the right band as each is different and bring a different vibe.
As we’ve said above Carnival is all about putting on a grand show and looking good doing it. Make-up and hair is a part of the Carnival Process as it serves as the main part of the look. Carnival Make-up is bright, bold and fun and usually includes lots of glitters, gems, and lashes. You want to ensure that you have the best (professional) make-up artiste who will not only beat your face to tha gawds, but one who will ensure the make-up stays on the entire time even it rains. We highly recommend Carnival Glam Hub which offers a premiere full service pre-gaming make-up experience which also includes food, hair (for males and females), professional photos and of course mimosas to get you going! Be sure to check out the website and book your space as slots fill up quickly. For hair, we recommend a sleek and trendy ponytail that will be out your face and not get into the way of dancing.
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What accessories could you possibly need for Carnival? Just a few important items that will really pull your entire look together and are functional. Stockings are a must since the costumes are similar to swimsuits but made from more festive stretchy/fabric. Some people will opt for fishnets, others will opt for something opaque and others will opt for something with bedazzled. At the end of the day, it’s all about what you like. You will also need items like a fanny pack or some sort of bag to hold your belongings and of course a clear case for your phone in case it rains. Other expenses in this category include mani + pedi, body contouring (if you want to be snatched for a day) transportation, facial, spray tan, and shoes where thigh-high boots are the choice footwear for the day.
FRIENDS
Never go to Carnival alone! Yes, it’s a daytime event, but these types of events are better when you do them in groups. Anything could happen to you on the road where you will need someone to help you out and there are tons of weirdos who probably look normal that are up to no good that you will need to be safe from. Friends don’t let friends go to Carnival alone.
One of the accessories you need for this day is a cup with a handle for water and alcohol. Carnival involves miles and miles of walking and dancing in the street! During this time of year as we move closer to Summer, it’s extremely humid or dry and the sun is for sure scorching! You need to stay hydrated so you don’t pass out and you also need the water to balance your alcohol intake. At Carnival, the alcohol flows like water and it’s unlimited and you can easily get drunk if you don’t pace yourself! We highly recommend drinking responsibly and know your drinking limit — if you don’t ensure you are around people you can trust to help you out if you’ve had too much to drink. #majorkey “Drink responsibly and balance your drinking with equal amounts of water”
Carnival in Jamaica is a whole vibe! If you decide to jump this year, we hope these tips will help.
