Pageant interview hair and makeup is an important part of your overall impression in a pageant interview. Words that I would use to describe pageant interview hair and makeup include, soft glam, natural, and fresh. But, what does that actually look like and how can you achieve it?

You have three choices for hair and makeup

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The right choice for you depends on your age and skill level. Option one: have someone do your hair and makeup for you, option two: take a professional hair and makeup lesson, then do your own makeup at the pageant, and option three: do your own hair and makeup without any professional guidance.

Out of the three options, I always encourage my clients to opt for number two. Knowing how to apply your own makeup and style your hair, is a useful skill because you will use at a pageant and at appearances when you are a titleholder. This option will also save you a lot of money in the long run because you will not need to hire a hair and makeup artist for special events.

No matter which option you choose, here are some guidelines that you can follow to achieve a soft glam, natural, and fresh look that will capture the judge’s attention.

Makeup

• Stick with warm tones for your eye shadow color. Avoid glitter shadows, dark or black smokey eyes.
• Eyelashes should look natural and serve to open the eyes. Remember to trim lash strips to the shape of your eye to avoid droopy or heavy looking eyes.
• If you have naturally long lashes, you might not need to wear false lashes. For a fuller lash look try adding individual lashes instead of a lash strip.
• If you have lash extensions make sure they are not too long or voluminous. Lash extensions that are extremely dark and full are very distracting and look obviously fake. Always go for a wispy look if you plan on using lash extensions.
• Fill in your brows so they look natural. Pageant interviews are not the place for a sharp brow or noticeably dark brow.

Keep your lip color neutral so you don’t attract unwanted attention towards your mouth. (Italia Deluxe Matte to Last in the color Flawless is my personal favorite. I’m usually wearing this color when I film channel episodes.

• Match your foundation color to your neck. If you plan to spray tan, do a test run and match your foundation to your spray tan color, this way your face will match your body.
• Do not over contour or highlight. Judges interviews are in close proximity to you. This isn’t the time to exaggerate your features to the point where you look cartoonish.

Hair

• Keep it simple and styled to compliment your outfit. You do not need an elaborate updo, or hair accessories for interview. They’re just a distraction to judges.
  
• Make sure your hair is polished. In some pageant systems you can get away with hair that is sprayed stiff, but in most cases there should be some movement to your hair. Whether you style your hair straight or curly, make sure that you hairspray flyaways and brush through the style, so it does not look piecey.

• For some hair inspiration for younger contestants, check out this fast and simple hairstyle tutorial. 

If you choose to wear hair extensions, make sure they are matched to your hair color and cut into your hair style so they look like your real hair.