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Stacey Whittington has been involved in the pageant industry for over
10 years. She is the owner of Elite Styles where she is a cosmetologist.
Stacey also is involved in pageant coaching. She offers modeling lessons
and hair and makeup services for pageant competitions. She may be contacted
at staceywhittington@hotmail.com or you may call 985-320-1789.
- 2002 Mrs. New Orleans
- 2002 Mrs. Lake Charles America
- 2002 Mrs. Louisiana America
- Pageant Coach: Modeling, Hair and Makeup
Advice from a contestants view
Be yourself. The judges can see right through you. You need to be mentally
prepared as well as physically prepared.
Interview: Price and color is not an issue, it's what compliments
you. You have to feel good in it. You don't want a flimsy material or
anything clingy. Tailored is good but not to tight. Length of skirt depends
on you. I personally like my skirt right above my knee. That too depends
on the pageant system you decide to enter. Nude or tan pantyhose depending
on your skin tone and taupe shoes. I would also suggest your suit to be
of solid color. You don't want your suit to be distracting. The judges
should notice you, not the unforgettable design your suit had in it. Hair
and makeup should be as natural as possible. Give your face some color
but don't over do it, the judges will be very close to you in interview.
Know your bio as well as what's going on in the world around you. You
never know what they might ask. Most important: Don't be fake, Be yourself.
Swimsuit: Choose a color that compliments your skin tone. You
may not want to wear a white swimsuit with very blonde hair and fair skin.
The style of the suit also depends on your figure. I would suggest two
piece swimsuits for teen and miss contestants and one piece for mrs. Many
contestants wear a variety of shoes for this competition. I personally
like the taupe shoes. There is a spray you can buy to keep you swimsuit
from sliding up when walking. I say it's a must, especially for me!! Most
of the time you have to wear your hair the same for this competition as
for evening gown because you don't have time to redo it. Hair away from
the face is attractive, whether you wear it up or down. Makeup needs to
be heavier due to the fact the lights on stage will wash you out. You
can really show your personality in this competition. Have fun on stage
when modeling your suit, don't be uptight.
Evening Gown: Again, color or price should not be an issue. You
are not judged on how much your gown cost. You need a color that compliments
you. You want to make the dress, you don't want the dress to make you.
Straight, A-line, one or two pieces, would depend on your figure and age.
Clear shoes and nude or tan pantyhose with gown. Some contestants choose
not to wear pantyhose, and I personally don't see a problem with that,
although some judges do. Hair and makeup need to be heavier than interview.
You may consider some false eyelashes as well. Modeling your evening gown:
you should be very relaxed, confident, and poised. Have fun, but take
evening gown much slower than swimsuit.
Advice from a judges view
Interview: As a judge, when I look at a contestants bio sheet
I don't like to see it all typed and squeezed together. That gives me
a headache. Typed is great, but keep it apart and neat. You don't have
to list everything you have ever accomplished. I like to hear a contestant
introduce themselves. You never know when a judge may have the wrong bio
in front of them. A great smile is a must. Show your personality, it allows
the judge to see who you are. No slouching, speak slow, and make eye contact
with every judge. Although you may be nervous, don't do anything distracting.
For instance: look at the ceiling (how serious are you if you're looking
away from me), move fingers in lap (it's o.k. to use your hands in conversation
but don't go crazy with it), and please don't answer: well, I don't know,
I don't know. If you don't know the answer to a question, be honest, tell
the judge you don't know it. Tell him to get back with you later and you'll
have the answer for him/her.
Swimsuit: Modeling is so important. Keep shoulders back, big smile
and always make eye contact with each judge. You can be a little more
relaxed with swimsuit for your modeling, but stay very poised. A judge
can see everything in a swimsuit. The way you stop and turn, the way you
position your feet, and even your self esteem. I like to see taupe shoes
with solid color swimsuits. I do take into consideration how the suit
fits but I focus on how you carry yourself in the swimsuit. Does it show
that you are comfortable?
Evening Gown: Again, Model, Model, Model!! Show your stuff. I
don't like to see a contestant rush this event. It should be time for
you to show the judges what you're made of when it comes to modeling.
I do take into consideration the style dress for the person wearing it,
but again, how it is presented on stage. I want to see a contestant make
the dress. Never have a dress too short. The hem should be at the tip
of your toe in your shoe. You don't want it too long either. I like to
see hair match the dress. If you have a dress that comes around your neck,
you might consider having your hair styled up.
Here are some tips you may want to remember:
- Be yourself, especially in interview.
- Be confident and determined.
- Modeling-practice, practice, practice.
- Wardrobe, Makeup and Hair - If you're not sure, get professional advice.
- A Bright Smile (very important) see Dr. Soileau.
- A little more advice as a contestant and judge: a smile can make or
break you on stage. Make sure you have a nice, bright smile
This is advice from my perspective. Other contestants and/or judges may
or may not agree with my opinion. There are no rule books for pageants.
This is strictly my opinion as a contestant/judge. I hope my advice helps
you in your future.
If anyone is interested in any services I offer, please feel free to
contact me at anytime. A special thank you to Dr. Soileau. I always get
compliments on my beautiful smile!!!
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