If you want to know how to win your first pageant, you’ve come to the right place. There are many paths to the crown, but there are some steps that all contestants must take. If you’re new to pageantry, you’ll want to prioritize your pageant prep. Since some things take more time to prepare than others; it’s best to get started on the most time consuming parts of preparation first.
Wardrobe
Every pageant has different areas of competition and required events. You’ll need wardrobe for each of them. Finding the right style for your age, body, and pageant system can take some time. You’ll find the most variety online; make sure to allow extra time for shipping and returns. Whether you purchase online, or in-store, give yourself extra time for alterations. If you purchase custom wardrobe, like a gown or interview outfit, you can expect to wait one to three months for your garment.
Want to know what outfits NOT to wear? Check these out.
Paperwork
This can sneak up on you, because it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about pageant prep. Some pageant systems require extensive amounts of paperwork. You may need to submit: sealed school transcripts, notarized forms, or proofs of birth and residence. Pageant resumes, bios, and headshots are often your first impression with a judge. It’s important to submit clear, well-written, documents, that demonstrate your preparedness for the title.
Get help creating professional pageant paperwork HERE.
Hair and Makeup
Great hair and makeup has the ability to make you stand out. Most don’t consider that terrible hair or makeup can cost you the crown. There are several options for approaching hair and makeup. Option one: hire a hair and makeup artist, option two: learn how to do your own hair and makeup by booking a lesson, option three: watch some Youtube makeup tutorials and give it your best shot. (I suggest starting these this one)
If you book a hair and makeup artist you’ll need to make sure they have experience working with winners in your pageant system, or within a similar one. It’s not uncommon to book reputable artists 6 months in advance. If you decide to do your own hair and makeup, you’ll need time to practice your new skills so you can feel confident during competition. Perfecting your beauty routine requires practice, just like your stage walk.
Managing your mindset
Possibly the most overlooked element of pageant prep is mindset. The reason some contestants do not perform as well as they expect is because they did not prepare their mindset for competition. It takes more than a fierce walk to win a pageant. Contestants who do not know how to manage stress, public criticism or tests of their confidence, often falter once they hit the stage.
Practice
In order to develop the communication skills and stage presence of a titleholder, you have to practice. Studying your pageant system and the things they “look for” in a titleholder, provides direction for your practice objectives. Walking in heels, or providing well spoken answers, is not second nature for most contestants. Regardless of your natural abilities, there is always room for improvement.
The interview competition is typically at the core of your preparation efforts. Interview often accounts for the largest percentage of your pageant score. It greatly influences the way a judge scores other areas of competition. A winning pageant interview is a combination or personality, confidence, and effective communication skills.
Prepare for your best interview with the TOP 20 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS every contestant should know.
