Miss Washington - Tips from a Beauty Queen

Road to the Crown - Miss USA Pageant

We had a chance to sit down and talk to Former Miss WA 2012 Christina Clarke and reigning Miss WA 2013, Cassandra Searles about all the beauty tips and tricks they have learned as they head down the road to Miss USA.





What We Learned - Tips from a Beauty Queen

I had the opportunity to sponsor Christina Clarke in 2012 as she pursued Miss USA and made the trip to Las Vegas last June.  She did an incredible amount of work to get ready for the pageant and I had the privilege of a behind the scenes look at what went into this pursuit of the crown.  I recently got a chance to catch-up with both of them and ask them specific questions about the process.

When talking with Christina and Cassandra, both ladies mentioned fitness and weight training was one of the most important aspects of being ready for a competition like this.  I can of course relate because of my background as an NFL Cheerleader, Seattle SeaGals, but also because I am now 35 and weight training has become way more important then cardio.

I used to spend hours and hours each week on cardio thinking that is how I was going to loose the most weight.  It rurns out that weight training is a vital part for females workout routines.

• Christina and Cassandra both have personal trainers who encourage them to focus on strenght training and then add cardio in on your own time.  They both said they saw amazing results, and it made a difference in their success on stage.

We are often scared of being bulky or too muscular, but as I have found out thru my Crossfit workouts it is really really hard for females to bulk up to the point where it looks masculine.   A combination is best, but Ladies....don't skip the weights, they will make more of difference then you realize.

Next focus was on their teeth, and I guess I tend to skip over this aspect of beauty a lot...but it is extremely important.  Besides getting their teeth whitened they also gave me tips such as wear a bright red or pink lip stick that has a blue base tone to it.  A tan is a huge part of the process as well, not only does it make your teeth appear whiter, but it also makes you look thinner and makes all of the colors you wear, pop!

• Both Christina and Cassandra get regular spray tans and avoid the tanning beds because it makes the skin appear dry and weathered.

The next important part is learning to walk in 6" heels with a platform.  As Christina told me, you don't have a lot of time to practice with the heels you are wearing in the pageant and you may be asked to do charity events in crazy outfits (wedge race down Las Vegas Blvd).  This means you better be ready for anything.

Practice is key for anything at a high level...a favorite quote of mine (from Russell Wilson).."Separation is in the Preparation".  I think that says it all.

For all of us who will never be a beauty queen or on a stage in 6" heels, we can still take some of these tips in our own lives.   We may not be on a stage, but we can feel like a beauty queen everyday;)

Cheers!

Pink Lips - Pretty Pout

The Perfect Pink Lipstick - 

A pretty pout for Valentines Day is a must, and one of my favorite colors and looks this year is "Pretty in Pink".   A few rules to go by when picking your lipstick for your date this year...

Tips & Tricks

1.) Exfoliate your lips the few days before any big event

2.) Keep them moisturized with your favorite lip conditioner

3.) Pick a color that is not only good for your skin tone, but also compliments the outfit you plan to wear...don't match your lipstick to your outfit, a shade lighter or brighter is better then matchy matchy

4.) If you have thin lips, use a slightly darker lip liner and you will want to do a glossy lip to make them appear a little bigger 

5. ) A matte pink lip (Mac Chatterbox or for a lighter look Mac Cream Cup) is super trendy right now, but make sure it doesn't get dry and crackle during the evening...hydrate the lip under the matte lipstick and keep them hydrated during the evening.

Some Favorite looks...

A Matte Look with a beautiful cat eye and defined brows
Not much more makeup and a very soft bronzed cheek.  Stunning!

A pink lip with a smokey eye...keep the color of the smokey eye soft
greys or browns so it isn't over powering with a bright colored lip.

Glossy sparkle lip.  A great product is MAC Cosmetics Partial to Pink
with a Dazzle Gloss over the top.  Very shinny with lots of sparkle that
will catch the light.

A perfect pink lip with a thick liner upper lid on the eye and soft
pink/peachy cheeks.  It keeps the makeup look soft and matches her
soft wavy curls.

Some of my favorite products...Highlight for the top of the cheek, soft nude
warm colors for the eye (Stilla eys shadows),  a matte blush in a softer lighter
pink color (MAC Cosmetics Stay Pretty) so it wont compete
with the lips.

Pink + Red Looks for Love

Can you wear pink and red together?...Absolutely!  

Welcome to 'Not Your Grandmothers Valentines Day'

I first fell in love with the SJP look when I saw it in a magazine and here are a few other combos that work.  Good rule of thumb when you are color blocking or taking this kind of risk with clothes, keep the accessory or shoe nude.  If the accessory is small like a belt, clutch, or cuff, I think leopard print works too.

Now for the classic Coco Chanel move...step away from the mirror, come back and the first accessory you see...REMOVE!  Always take one thing off as you leave the house;)

Another good rule to live by...if you are showing off one part of your body (shoulders and chest / legs) then cover up the other.  Example, conservative blouse with sassy shorts.  Low V-Neck sexy shirt with trousers.

Always a great handbag will make you feel confident and polished.

The Perfect Foil Lips

The Perfect Foil Lips -

There is a slight difference between Glitter Lips and Foiled Lips and in this episode of Pretty Vain, Chanel Prineas and Sequoia Leopold show you how to get the perfect Foil Lips.

This is a subtle sheen to the lip that will be unexpected and unique, a must for your next fun night out.

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Step by Step -

1. Hydrate your Lips, our favorite is MAC Lip Conditioner or Kari Gran Lip Whip
2. Apply your favorite lip stick color 
3. Choose a fine glitter or shimmer eye shadow (I use MAC Pigment in Melon in this episode)
4. Use a Flat brush (MAC 242 - Shader Brush) to apply and pat the color on the center of the lip (right where the pout is) and then move out towards the corner
5. It is best if applied a little inside the lip and not all the way to the edge where you would line your lips.
6. Blot your lips once (don't rub them together like you might with lip gloss) and your lips will have a fun sheen to them right where the pout part of your lip is

It makes your lips look a little fuller too:)  I don't usually put gloss over the top of this look cause it tends to take it off more quickly, but if your lips get dry add a touch to the center and blot again.