| Pageants are as varied as the girls who compete in | | | | pageants and the focus in on inner and outer beauty. |
| them. Competitions abound in every age group, | | | | For these pageants, contestants may or may not |
| including infant or babies, toddlers, 6 to 8 year olds, | | | | wear make-up depending on the specific requirements |
| juniors 9 to 11 year olds, tweens, teens, and the more | | | | of the contest. Pageants like Miss USA, Miss Teen, |
| popular 15 to 25 year olds. Beyond these, there are | | | | Miss America and Little Miss Hawaiian fall into this |
| pageants for married women and those ladies over | | | | category. The events typically happen two or three |
| age 60. For our purposes, we're focusing on pageants | | | | times a year and build on each other. So a girl would |
| for children age 12 and under. | | | | first compete on a local level, then a state level, and |
| "Some children's pageants are glitzy modeling type | | | | then a national level. |
| competitions that require lots of make-up and then | | | | The attire for these pageants vary according to the |
| there are some that require no make-up," points out | | | | categories involved. Gowns can be custom-made or |
| pageant coach Elizabeth McGlynn of Professional | | | | purchased from bridal shops, catalogues, or online. |
| Pageant Preparation, LLC. As someone whose been | | | | Contestants also need a costume for the opening |
| working with hopeful pageant contestants for 18 years, | | | | number, an interview outfit, and talent wear. The |
| McGlynn has seen it all and believes the competing | | | | swimsuit is reserved for older girls. |
| youngster-not the parent-should be the deciding factor. | | | | Fees for this type of pageant can also vary. In many |
| After all, "the child should love every minute of it," | | | | cases, the state fees are high because they also |
| insists McGlynn. "Not be scared to death." | | | | cover the expenses of the national pageant for the |
| Essentially, there are three types of pageants that are | | | | winner. There are also tiered pageants that have fees |
| available for young girls. Assess your preferences as | | | | at all levels. Like glitz pageants, contestants can also |
| well as your daughter's personality to determine which | | | | hire a beauty team but may settle for mom's |
| one will be the best fit: | | | | expertise at the lower levels of the competition. |
| Professional/Full Glitz: Envision your child as a mini | | | | Prizes can include a crown, trophy, banner, modeling |
| Vegas Show Girl. Participation in these types of | | | | contracts, cash, scholarships, trips, clothes, photo |
| pageants is usually on a weekly basis and | | | | shoots, special appearances, and other gifts. |
| competitions are held all year long. Costumes and | | | | When you compare glitz to natural pageants there are |
| wardrobe are custom-made and glitzy, usually adorned | | | | similarities and differences. Both types require a fee to |
| with beads, rhinestones, sequins, and other shimmery | | | | participate, feature formal evening wear, provide cash |
| material. Contestants usually require a formal evening | | | | prizes and gifts to the winners, and have local and |
| gown, a swimsuit as well as casual, western, and | | | | national level competitions. As for the differences, |
| pro-am outfits. The majority of contestants hire | | | | make-up is encouraged in glitz pageants while most |
| professional photographers that specialize in glitz | | | | natural pageants don't allow make-up for contestants |
| photography and retouching. Other | | | | under the13 years old. Swimsuits are rarely worn by |
| professionals-for-hire could include a pageant coach, a | | | | children in natural pageants but that is a common |
| make-up artist, nail technician, and hair stylist. | | | | occurrence in glitz pageants. False teeth, wigs, and |
| Accessories such as jewelry, hair pieces, false teeth, | | | | other beauty alterations are frequently seen in glitz |
| and eye lashes are common. | | | | pageants but not allowed in natural competitions. |
| As with anything else, glitz pageants have their pros | | | | Contestants in natural pageants are rated largely by |
| and cons for the people involved in them. For | | | | their interview but glitz participants are mostly judged |
| participants, these competitions can be extraordinarily | | | | on their appearance. |
| expensive, running as much as $40,000 a year for girls | | | | Alternative pageants that promote pride, religion, or |
| who do several pageants annually. One former glitz | | | | some other cause may also be in your community. |
| contestant said the expenses for her pageant gown | | | | You just have to look in local newspapers or |
| exceeded the cost of her first car. Even still, glitz | | | | organizational newsletters to find them. |
| pageants offer the ultimate dress up experience as | | | | To determine which category is for your daughter, |
| well as the opportunity to win many prizes which often | | | | research pageants online, talk to pageant organizers to |
| include a crown, sash, trophy and savings bonds worth | | | | find out if the pageant is categorized as professional |
| up to $10,000. | | | | glitz, hobby glitz or a natural and talk to other parents. |
| Hobby Glitz: This type of pageant is a step below | | | | Also, preview the pageant prior to getting your |
| professional/full glitz. The clothing is still glitzy but the | | | | daughter involved in it: "Before my daughter, Donna, |
| items don't have to be custom-made. Contestants can | | | | entered the Miss Coastal Empire pageant, we saw it |
| shop on E-bay, consignment shops, or other used | | | | the year before. Seeing it in advance gives you an |
| clothing retailers. Pageant photos are still required but | | | | idea of what to expect," states pageant mom Yvette |
| contestants don't have to use glitz photographers. | | | | David. "At the time we saw the pageant, Donna |
| Beauty professionals and pageant coaches are a nice | | | | thought it was something she could pull off and she |
| to have at this level but your daughter can use your | | | | ended up winning the following year." |
| services if you're particularly skilled in any of these | | | | You can also get insight from pageant coaches, past |
| areas. Expenses for these pageants could range from | | | | pageant queens, photographers, and pageant |
| $10,000 - $15,000 annually. As with all pageants, the | | | | magazines. Of course, the best impressions come |
| winner still wins a crown, banner, a trophy and a | | | | from your child. Be honest about how you think she'll |
| savings bond (valued at $100 - $500). Other prizes | | | | fair physically and emotionally in the pageant world. |
| include entry fees for the national pageant, toys, and | | | | Once you settle on a pageant category then select a |
| other gifts. | | | | system. |
| Natural: These pageants are totally different from glitz | | | | |