FROM countless hours in the gym to seemingly endless coaching sessions, it takes a lot to compete in a pageant — and there are tricks to excel on and off the stage.
As a competitor in the 2024 Miss Virginia USA pageant, I picked up a few budget-friendly tips to highlight my abs and eyes with minimal effort.
The 2024 Miss USA pageant will air live on the CW network on Sunday, August 4.
Following the resignation of Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt, her first runner-up Savannah Gankiewicz, assumed the title.
Now 51 women from across the country have descended upon Los Angeles, California to vie for the 2024 crown.
But to get to the national competition, they had to get through their state pageant first — just like I did.
Add up the glitzy outfits, entry fees, coaching lessons, photoshoots, hair and nail appointments, and spray tans, and you’re easily leaning into the thousands.
After ten months of preparation and long and grueling hours in the gym, I placed first runner-up to Miss Virginia USA 2024 Himanvi Panidepu.
Although I prepped as hard as I could and walked away with newfound friendships, I didn’t take home the top prize.
But throughout my journey to the crown, I learned several beauty secrets.
There is no doubt that pageants are expensive, and competitors always look for affordable ways to cut costs and still look their best.
When it comes time to it, there are additional methods competitors take to stand out in both the interview room and on stage.
The top two are so easily accessible, that you can find them right in your local drugstore.
Miss USA contestants already work hard on their fitness to look their personal best on stage.
Like many others, I opted for a spray tan to give my skin an all-over smooth color and an additional spray contour around my muscles.
After getting bronzed at The Bronze Collective in Alexandria, Virginia, I asked spray tan specialist and owner Stefani how I could make my body look even better.
She recommended the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lightweight Sunscreen Spray, $9.88, with SPF 30.
Immediately, I ran to the nearest CVS and bought it.
I sprayed it before each area of the on-stage performance on preliminary and final days, including the opening number, swimsuit, and evening gown portions.
It absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel sticky, but rather weightless and clean.
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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lightweight Sunscreen Spray, $9.88, Walmart
LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops, $6, Amazon
The SPF 30 sunscreen mist is non-comedogenic and oil-free, so it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts.
My skin glowed on stage and had an overall highlighted look, while my stretch marks and cellulite were barely noticeable.
It also enhanced my muscles and made them pop, from my abs to my legs.
To see its effects off the pageant stage, I tested it on top of a self-tanner before a beach day and it had the same results.
I recommend it for any glam girl on the go who wants to look airbrushed and glowy.
This next tip attracts attention to your face.
Whether you’re a frequenter of the competition stage or not, Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops make your eyes sparkle.
The eye drops reduce redness to “reveal your eyes’ natural radiance.”
I dropped them in my eyes before my panel-style interview with the judges and before the preliminary and final competition events.
I loved them because they worked immediately and kept my eyes bright all day.
I even got compliments on it from other competitors and my family.
Pageant days are long and tiring, so the drops also helped me appear more awake.
According to the product description, they take one minute to activate and last up to eight hours.
If you’re trying to stand out in a boardroom or on the runway, invest in these eye drops because they won’t stop looking at your eyes.
