10 Beauty Tips I Learned as a Beauty Pageant Contestant

Whenever I talk about the 10 beauty tips I learned as a beauty pageant contestant people are so surprised. I guess they expect to hear all about the artificial process of turning an ordinary woman into a beauty queen. But really, it's nothing like that. The beauty tips we were taught on our beauty pageant training began with unlearning bad makeup and hairdo beauty tips from our inexperienced past. Only after that, we learned beauty tips for making the most of our natural beauty-the beauty that qualified us to be in a beauty pageant in the first place. It's these beauty tips that bring out the woman in each of us, the alluring, sexy, natural woman nature intended us to be. These are the kind of beauty tips I'd like to share here.

#1. Luxurious Hair Will Make Any Face Beautiful

The first beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant was a hard lesson. The hairdresser who had her favorite for the crown decided to shunt me out of the running by cutting my long hair short. I spent two weeks looking quite hideous. If you don't believe me, think of Demi Moore in her baldy days. Your hair is your greatest beauty asset. Grow it long and use the best beauty products to keep your hair shiny. Avoid coloring, curling or blow-drying your hair. Let it dry naturally and treat it with homemade hair masks weekly (such as beer or olive oil). And make the most of this beauty tip by framing your hair to fit your features. If you have a high or wrinkled forehead, trim your bangs low over your eyes. On the other hand, if you have a beautiful hairline, split your long hair in the middle or to the side. This beauty tip will set you apart from other woman who are busy altering their natural hair instead of keeping it healthy and luxurious.

#2. Beautiful Skin Is Everything

The second beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant came at a time when my skin used to break out frequently due to hormonal changes. I learned not to use soaps that subverted the healthy acid balance on my skin, which killed bacteria. I also learned many tips for making my skin glow. Drinking water only also contributed to keeping my skin hydrated and fresh. And sun-screen, which retained my skin's natural paleness, also kept my skin radiant and healthy. I could then use makeup to add glow or a muted blush where I wanted it.

#3. Eye Makeup Is Crucial

The third beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant was all about the eyes and their erotic attraction. Eyes are the windows into the soul, and they are also your windows out to the world. By making your eyes look large you give the impression not only of beauty but of intelligence and perceptiveness. By giving them a slanted curve, you add an element of emphasis and mystery. To maximize this beauty tip, I always recommend using a black eyeliner over your eyes, with the line growing thick as you move to the outer edge of the eye. Mascara is optional at this point, depending on the sensitivity of your eyes, but be sure to use a Q-tip to apply a little makeup powder beneath your lower lashes to prevent the eyeliner from smearing beneath the eye as the day goes by.

#4. Rouge Is a Deceiving Elf

The fourth beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant was an amusing one. All twenty of us made a complete mess of applying rouge on our cheeks. One girl actually looked bruised and ugly for two weeks until the day we were told to take our makeup off and start from scratch. To apply rouge use a large brush. Rub it in the rough, then over your hand to remove excess, finally lightly brush your cheek from back to front at a diagonal line that highlights your cheekbone. Do not use bright rouge. A slight increase in color tone is all that keeps this beauty tip from turning grotesque. Oh yes, and always apply makeup before a well-lit mirror, preferably lit with daylight.

#5. Lip Liners Are Co-Stars

The fifth beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant seemed so obvious to me-until I saw the fashion of the last years where lip liners have taken precedence over the lips. So allow me to set the record straight. Lip liners have a single job in life-to highlight and even out the contours of your lips. The line should run the full circle of your mouth, connecting the top lip with the bottom one when you open your mouth. And the lip liner should be the same color as your lipstick. This beauty tip was crucial during our beauty pageant days. Through practice, I learned to line my lips in the rear view mirror of a dark car. Voluptuous full lips are even more important than lined eyes in making you appear beautiful.

#6. Beards Are for Men

The sixth beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant is one I've had many occasions to be thankful for. It's all about hair-the unwanted kind. Developing a steady shaving or waxing schedule is critical to staying always smooth skinned and feminine. You never want to be in a situation where your hairy legs dictate what you can wear. It may seem like an amusing beauty tip, coming from a school that preached natural beauty, but here we were taught to consider hairy legs and armpits as unnatural as bad breath and oily, unwashed hair.

#7. Adopt a Proud, Leggy Walk

The seventh beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant was all about deportment. We didn't have to balance books on our heads as we walked a tightrope but it felt pretty close to that. Back and forth, each of us paraded on the runway with our instructor insulting our flaws. I learned to hold my stomach in, pull my shoulders back, hold my head not-too-low but not-too-high. I learned to be able to balance myself on a single foot, so that if while taking a step one foot should slip, the other leg will remain firmly planted on the ground. This beauty tip through repeated back and forth practice gave me a ballerina's walk, elegant, smooth and sensuous.

#8. You Can Never Be Tall Enough

The eighth beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant was sobering. I am 5 feet 7 inches, by no means a dwarf. And yet I was the second to last by order of height in the beauty pageant. This beauty tip, therefore, was thrown at me as an absolute must. Wear shoes that will increase your height. Wear clothes that will give your figure an elongated appearance. I implement this beauty tip by always looking for uniquely styled shoes with some heel. I personally detest unstable shoes, so my heels aren't very high, but they are thin and feminine. I also wear long, straight pants or flowing skirts that give the impression that my legs go on forever. I love sheer fabrics worn over bodysuits, as these increase the airy feeling this beauty tip wishes to impart.

#9. Jewelry Shouldn't Be Wearing You

The ninth beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant was somewhat amusing. Suddenly all these sponsors offered us stunning jewels to wear. But as our instructor put it, it's easy to cross the line when you stop wearing jewelry and your jewelry starts to wear you. It's a case of too much of a good thing. And beyond this, a uniquely beautiful woman uses jewelry to enhance her enchantment only. Earrings are powerful allies when it comes to framing your beautiful face. Necklaces, bracelets, anklets are all optional, but a single, all-powerful ring will have a breathtaking effect on a slender hand. Think of this beauty tip as a minimalist approach to jewelry and you'll be fine.

#10. Let Your Mirror Be the Judge, Not Someone Else's

The last beauty tip I learned as a beauty pageant contestant is perhaps the most important. You have to have a big, well lit mirror in your home. You need to be able to clearly see yourself from all angles. Have you ever seen those women with underwear showing through their tight skirt, or worse, cellulite? Don't be one of them, that's what this beauty tip teaches.

If you're curious, here's my article about my experience as a contestant in Israel's national beauty pageant. I ended up winning sixth place, which in Israel's beauty pageant meant first runner up to the 2nd title. I appeared on television, was interviewed by newspapers and basically had my 15 minutes of fame, which were more educational than fun. Still I wouldn't trade what I learned or the money I earned through the experience.