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There is a myth that one “look” wins beauty pageants. All you have to do is to glance at photographs of winners over the past few years in order to see the fallacy of that statement.

There is no one exact “winning look” that is guaranteed to succeed.

One of the reasons that a “special look” won&’t always win a beauty pageant is that pageants are not all the same. Each pageant has its own distinct “look” and image. The secret is to find the balance between being yourself and conveying the image of the title you hope to win

Winning the pageant means you will be representing that pageant for the next year and you must “look the part.” Understanding the pageant’s image will help you develop the most suitable look for the competition. Different pageants have different looks. You should tailor your hairstyle, makeup and wardrobe to look your best and to fit the general image of the pageant you are entering.

The image of the Miss America pageant calls for classic beauty, an elegant evening-gown look, usually mid-length or upswept hair and a wholesome figure. Contestants are generally between 5’3″ and 5’11” in height.

Miss USA contestants tend to be taller, between 5’6″ and 6’0″ in height; and the pageant calls for more of a supermodel look, gorgeous face, glamorous evening gown, long or upswept hair, sexy, busty, leggy figures.

Miss Universe is a multi-ethnic look, a classically beautiful face, oftentimes a regal look, hair worn down over the shoulders or upswept, pretty but not necessarily a voluptuous figure. Heights tend to be in the Miss America range.

In the major teen pageants it is becoming increasingly difficult to match the “wholesome” factor with today’s media-inspired “glam” look.

America’s Junior Miss and Miss Teen of America look for that girl next-door image, a pretty face, healthy body and simple, pretty evening gown look. The Miss T.E.E.N. pageant is a very similar wholesome image but with a slightly more glamorous look, a “teenage Miss America” look.

The Miss Teen USA image is probably the most glamorous of the teen pageants with a youthfully pretty look, glamorous but simpler evening gowns and a well-toned figure.

Questions & Answers:

• “I really want to win. It would be smart to look like last year’s winner, wouldn’t it?”

Not necessarily. While you want to reflect the overall image of the pageant that you enter you don&’t want to be a “clone” of last year’s winner.

The secret is to balance the look of the pageant with your own, unique beauty. Be original, not a copy of someone else. Try to fit the image of the title you are trying to win but make sure you remain an individual and the best you that you can be.

• “Are “Big Hair” and “White Dresses” a sure bet to win a pageant?”

While it is true that more pageant winners have worn white dresses than any other color, almost as many past winners have worn other colors as there are colors of the rainbow. Specific colors that have done very well in the winner’s circle include black, red, pink, royal blue, turquoise, lilac, metallic silver or gold, pastel blue or aqua, beige or skin tones, yellow, ivory or cream, peach, greens, and even prints and designs.

Colors that do NOT do well include brown, gray, camel, rust, mustard, olive green, navy blue, dark purple, orange and stripes. It would probably be best to stay away from those colors when selecting an evening gown. But otherwise – anything goes! Choose a color that YOU look good in.

“Big Hair” is also a feature that many pageant winners share but your haircut and style should be both the most flattering style for your face and a look appropriate for the pageant you are entering. Although there is a “winning look” for hair – feminine, natural, and flowing – it is uniquely different for each girl.

• Should a pageant contestant get dental veneers?

Once again the answer depends on the girl and the pageant. At the national level a winning smile is absolutely one of the most important aspects of a contestant’s appearance. At the local level and in the younger age ranges it becomes less important.

High tech cosmetic dental procedures are putting the perfect smile within reach of any contestant who can afford it – but be aware that cosmetic dental procedures are a considerable financial investment.

There are some less involved and less expensive alternatives including: teeth whitening, contouring natural teeth or bonding procedures.

• Should I try to look more elegant for a pageant, or just go with my normal look?

For the interview and rehearsal portion of the program you want to go with your own, natural, look – but be the best you that you can present. Nicely styled hair and carefully applied makeup, an appropriate interview outfit or rehearsal clothes will make a statement about you.

In the evening gown competition you want to match the image of the pageant and keep in mind that even the most wholesome family-oriented pageants expect some degree of “elegance” in the evening gown competition.

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Source by Stacy James