Have you ever wondered what makes pageant winners different from others? No, right! So, let’s take on the roller coaster ride of becoming pageant queens. First, you will analyze the previous year’s pageant winners and their stories.
You can take inspiration from recent pageant winners, their dresses, their perception of seeing different cultures, etc. For instance, Miss World 2024 winner Pyszkova said she will carry “the spirit” of India back home with her.
Further she also said, “I can see that people here try to reach their purpose. I believe purpose is the most important thing. We must know our lives, and I will take that home.”
So, if you want to conquer any pageant crown, you have to make an effort because, in fashion, not only your clothing but also your beauty with brains are important. No worries if you are preparing for one and don’t know how to get started. Here, we’ll tell you about the preparation of beauty pageants.
Beginner Tips to Prepare For a Pageant
Research Different Pageant Events
Before competing in any pageant, thoroughly research the event, such as where it will be held, the criteria, the talent round, etc. Ensure that you understand all the details and prepare accordingly. Additionally, know about age, residency and eligibility criteria.
Keep Yourself Physically Fit
While participating in a beauty competition, ensure a healthy lifestyle, including a proper diet and regular exercise. A healthy person glows more and looks more confident on the stage. So, keep fit, develop a skincare habit according to your skin type, and select a hairstyle that suits your features.
Work on Public Speaking Skills
Public speaking skills are important to winning any contest, especially when doing interviews and talent segments. So, you should work on skills by practicing in front of the mirror. Focus on clarity and the art of storytelling.
Get Update on Current Events
Becoming a beauty queen does not always mean being a fashionista; it is also a matter of staying up-to-date about current events. While participating in the beauty competition, you should be well informed about local, national, and international news that can prove knowledgeable.
Judges often ask about current events worldwide. Watching news channels, reading magazines, and staying current on social issues can prepare you for such questions.
Challenges You Can Face as a Participant
Participating in beauty competitions is difficult, as participants face many challenges. Here are some common challenges.
Tough Competition
The pageant participants have to face high competition on an individual level, making the environment very intense. The competitors will feel pressure to stand out differently from equally talented and prepared contestants.
Psychological and Physical Preparation
When participating in competitions, you may feel challenges not only on a physical level but also on a psychological level. As pageant contestants sometimes are conscious about their physical appearance and skin tone, which leads to eating disorders and comparison with others. Furthermore, your mental health and self-esteem fluctuation also come out at the time of competition.
Time Management
You may believe that time is the most important resource humans need to utilize thoughtfully. As a pageant contestant, you must balance preparation and responsibilities such as work, school, or family. So, a proper time management technique is a must for maintaining all aspects of life.
Ready to Take Feedback
As a participant, you should be open to all opinions, whether you face criticism from judges, audiences, or social media. Dealing with negative comments can sometimes be detrimental to your mental health.
Performance Pressure
Every contestant faces the pressure of performing better than before; at that time, the need to perform best is your priority. You should be able to perform on different segments such as talent, interview and evening wear all are a matter of pressure. Participants must remain composed and confident under the spotlight.
Mistakes to Avoid While Participating
Ignoring the Rules and Criteria of Pageants
While participating in a pageant, ignoring the rules and regulations can cost you losing your crown. Each pageant has a set of protocols and guidelines that must be followed. Make sure to read and understand them to avoid point deductions.
Participating Without Preparation
Entering the pageant without preparation is like entering an examination hall without opening books. Before entering the pageant, practice walking, talking, and talent round. With the right preparation, you will be confident to face any challenge.
Inappropriate Attires
Choosing an outfit unsuitable for your personality and competition can earn you negative points. Wear attire that matches the pageant dress code and showcases your features. Proper clothing improves your appearance and boosts your confidence.
Ignoring Etiquettes
As for the contestants of the pageants, politeness and etiquette are important. Being polite to judges, fellow participants and organizers is professionalism that all the participants should observe. Understand that your behavior outside the stage is also part of the performance.
Overdoing Makeup
Though making your features more appealing for makeup is possible, going overboard is not a good idea. Make it as subtle as possible while emphasizing the most sensitive areas you want to attract attention. Too much makeup tends to divert attention to it and the beauty it conceals.
Essential Tips to Win the Pageant Crown
Choose the Attire Wisely
Select pageant outfits that will bring out your best and fit the pageant’s style. Think about the themes, and dress codes which should be followed and look elegant.
Comfort is a main factor because you must be relaxed and comfortable in your attire. Considering professional tailoring, one can underline that paying attention to that aspect is important since it can greatly improve a person’s image.
Makeup Tips
Opt for makeup that does not overdo the looks but should be able to accentuate your natural features. Less is more: perfect skin, beautiful eyes, and lips – just choose the right, but not too flashy, lip product. Think about the stage light that influences how the makeup appears. Revise how you apply the makeup and how to make it last during the competition.
Practice Walk
Your walk should express your self-esteem and be elegant. Walk around the house in your pageant heels for a good walking rhythm. Pay attention to your posture: be proud and confident, with your shoulders back and your head up high.
If you are unsatisfied with how you walk, best try it in front of a mirror or, better yet, record yourself. Confidence and grace when walking are important and can easily help you score better impressions.
Show Your Talent
Select a talent that best suits you and one that you enjoy doing the most. In any kind of performance, whether singing, dancing, or any other show, ensure that your rehearsals are well done to produce a well-polished performance.
Believing in your talent segment is also an added advantage when you are competing against several other contestants during the competition, as it depicts that you are a hardworking and flexible person.
Engage With Confidence
Self-confidence is a virtue brought into business when participating in pageantry ventures. Look the client in the eye, use a good handshake for the lady and male clients, and speak clearly.
Confidence is reflected in one’s body language, facial and oral communications, responses, and conduct, which implant lasting impressions on the judges and the audience. Have faith in yourself and in what you can do.
Learn About The Theme of the Pageant
Know more about pageant themes to prepare your performance and its values. Research past winners and the organizations that mission. Research emulating past winners and the organization’s mission. Be polite and adjust with your answers and dress appropriately and enthusiastically enough to show that you commit to achieving the pageant’s goal.
Smile
A genuine smile brings out the light on the stage judges/audience and makes a very good impression. Practicing smiling naturally, especially under pressure, is also effective. Smiling warm and confidently positively impacts your physical look and makes you look friendly and assured, which is well suited for any stage performance.
Be Yourself
Being real has a positive impact on the judges and the audience. Be yourself and show your true character in as many ways as possible during the show. Do not mimic competitors; find out what makes you stand out. Avoiding artificiality during the talent show allows one to win the judges’ favor and make a good impression.
Conclusion
Contesting in beauty pageants entails research work, health fitness, diction, and confidence. Never change for anyone; gather information from various sources and practice as much as possible. With the help of these tips and illustrated mistakes, you get a better idea of how to improve your chances of winning the crown.
FAQ
What to look for in a Pageant contestant As seen by the Judges
Contestants are usually assessed on factors such as dressing sense, carriage, smile, voice modulation, dancing or singing abilities and intelligence during interviews. They seek a decent, wholesome woman who will be a good role model for the pageant organization.
What Should I Do Before the Interview Segment?
Certain interview segments have common questions that are usually practiced and updated on current events and the pageant’s mission. Try to be as clear, brief, and self-confident as possible in your verbal and written expression. Much of the nervousness stems from not knowing how to answer the questions and how to present oneself to the best of one’s ability.
What Should I Wear for Each Segment of the Pageant?
Every segment performed during the pageant may have some appropriate dress codes. Traditionally, the formal wear/glamor wear platforms would require evening wear. In contrast, the fitness segment requires fitness wear, if not swimwear and for the personal interview segment, stylish wear of the contestant’s choice would suffice. First, it is important to select outfits that would be comfortable and perfectly fitting, not vulgar and obscene but correspond to the pageant’s concept.
