I’m a Miss USA Pageant Contestant – A $10 Drugstore Secret to Making Our Abs Pop
FROM countless hours in the gym to seemingly endless coaching sessions, there’s a lot to competing in a beauty pageant and there are tricks to excelling on and off stage.
As a contestant in the 2024 Miss Virginia USA pageant, I’ve learned a few budget-friendly tips to accentuate my abs and eyes with minimal effort.
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The 2024 Miss USA pageant will air live on The CW Network on Sunday, August 4.
After the retirement of Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt, Miss Hawaii USA 2023 and her first runner-up Savannah Gankiewicz took over the title.
Now, 51 talented and inspiring women from across the country have traveled to Los Angeles, California to compete for the 2024 title.
But to advance to the national competition, they first had to participate in the state election, just like me.
Add to that the shiny outfits, entrance fees, coaching lessons, photo shoots, hair and nail treatments and spray tan and you’re quickly reaching thousands of euros.
After ten months of preparation and long and grueling hours in the gym, I finished second in the rankings Ms. Virginia USA 2024 Himanvi Panidepu.
Although I had prepared as best as I could and made new friends, I did not take home the main prize.
But during my journey to the crown I learned several beauty secrets
Most read in Hair & Beauty
There is no doubt that beauty pageants are expensive and contestants are always looking for budget-friendly ways to cut costs and still look their best.
When push comes to shove, there are other methods contestants use to stand out, both in the interview room and on stage.
The top two are so readily available that you can find them at your local drugstore.
LET THEM BUMBLE FLY
The Miss USA contestants work hard on their fitness so they can show off their abs on stage.
Like many others, I opted for a spray tan to give my skin an even colour and an extra spray contour around my muscles and prominent areas.
After I got a tan at The Bronze Collective in Alexandria, Virginia, I asked spray tan specialist and owner Stefani how I could make my body look even better.
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She recommended the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lightweight Sunscreen Spray, $10, with SPF 30.
I immediately ran to the nearest CVS and bought it.
I sprayed it before every part of the performance on stage, on the days of the preliminary round and the final, including the opening number, the swimsuit and the evening dress.
It is quickly absorbed and does not feel sticky, but light and clean.
The SPF 30 sunscreen mist is non-comedogenic and oil-free, which means it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
On stage my skin glowed and looked highlighted, while my stretch marks and cellulite were barely visible.
It also strengthened my muscles and made them bigger from my abs all the way down to my legs.
To see the effect off the pageant stage, I tested it over a self-tanner before going to the beach. It had the same result.
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I recommend it to all the glamorous girls who want to look polished and radiant.
EYES ON THE PRIZE
The following tip will draw attention to your face.
Whether you compete regularly or not, Lumify Redness Reliever eye drops (€21.48) will make your eyes shine.
The eye drops reduce redness and ‘rediscover the natural appearance of your eyes’.
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I dropped them in my eyes before my panel discussion with the jury and before the preliminary rounds and final of the competition.
I loved them because they worked immediately and kept my eyes clear all day.
I even received compliments about it from other participants and from my family.
The days leading up to beauty pageants are long and tiring, but the drops made me look more awake.
According to the product description, they take one minute to activate and last for up to eight hours.
Want to stand out in a meeting room or on the catwalk? Invest in these eye drops, because they will make sure your eyes won’t let go of you.
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