How Does a Beauty Pageant Contestant Prepare for a Pageant?

Rehearsals

Above all else, preparing for a beauty pageant takes practice. A contestant will undergo a large variety of rehearsals in an effort to prepare for a pageant. Before registering for the pageant, the contestant will rehearse her talent, interview techniques and general stage presence. This often takes place in the home, with the help of a coach. After the beauty-pageant contestant registers, she will typically rehearse for group performances with the other competing contestants. Rehearsals typically eat up several hours of a pageant contestant's day. The rehearsals will take up more and more time each day as the beauty pageant nears.

Appearance

Any beauty-pageant contestant must work to be beautiful. This involves shopping for all the outfits she needs for the competition, deciding on hair styles and makeup, and staying physically fit. To accomplish all of this, a contestant will often exercise each and every day. She will also get a haircut and dye job every 4 to 6 weeks. She will then shop for outfits for each pageant. Typical outfits include a formalwear outfit, a swimsuit or sportswear outfit and a talent outfit. Since a large number of points are awarded solely on the contestant's appearance, she dedicates a considerable amount of time to looking just right.

Getting Organized

Since a contestant must change outfits very quickly during a beauty pageant, she must be very well-organized. It is also common for a professional pageant contestant to attend several pageants away from home. Since traveling is involved, the preparation process can take weeks to complete. Before venturing out to attend a pageant, the contestant must ensure that all registration has been completed, all outfits and gear are packed and all portfolios are ready to be delivered to the judges. After arriving at the beauty pageant, a contestant will need to lay out all of her outfits in the order they will be worn. She will also need to organize all makeup and hair items for easy access.

Other Preparations

In addition to rehearsals, seeing to her appearance and honing her organization, a beauty-pageant contestant must also prepare a portfolio to showcase to the judges, make travel arrangements and line up the people needed to help the contestant succeed. The latter group includes choreographers, coaches, makeup artists, hairstylists, friends and family. The more prestigious the beauty pageant is, the more people are required to help the contestant win.