Pageant Must-Haves
I recently competed for the title of Miss New York, and I came home as the 2nd runner-up! I am incredibly proud of myself, having put in months of preparation that included focusing on my health and honing my talent. As there are so many other things on our minds during pageant preparation and pageant week, I thought I would share some of the products that I bought to Miss New York that I will never be competing without again. Whether for rehearsal or onstage moments, these products make my life SUPER easy. If you're interested in watching my preparation, packing, and actual competition week, check out the vlogs on my YouTube channel!
Steamer
My steamer broke right before Miss New York, so I purchased this one when I was searching frantically on Amazon. While I didn't have a ton of time to research the best steamer, this one does the job and will go with me to every future competition. I had a huge ballgown as my talent dress, and this steamer made it look flawless onstage without a wrinkle in sight.
False Lashes
I have used a ton of false lashes in my life, but these falsies from Ardell will forever be my holy grail. These are the exact ones I wore during my interview and onstage competitions, and I felt so confident that my lashes looked perfect. Since competing, I've found that no glam look is complete without them!
Matching Luggage
Pink matching luggage. Need I say more? I finally decided to invest in new luggage before Miss New York because I knew there was going to be a LOT of things I needed to bring. Not only was this set gorgeous, but my bags were so easy to spot during competition week, and the set fit everything I needed (and I'm a huge overpacker!).
Tote Bag
Alongside my new luggage, I also purchased a weekender tote bag. We were only allowed one bag to travel with us from the theater and our hotel, so I knew I needed something sturdy that could hold everything I needed. I was able to include my makeup bag, heels, hair tools, medicine, Band-Aids, and more! Plus, I love the bottom compartment that helps keep everything organized.
Hulken Bag
When I first purchased my Hulken bag, I doubted how much I was really going to be able to use it. I'm not kidding when I tell you that my Hulken has been used more than any other bag that I own! I used it during my period donation drop-offs and fit all the large, bulky items I was packing for competition in there without taking up a huge amount of space in the car!
Spanx Thong
When I first saw these Spanx that were thongs, I was very hesitant to buy them. However, I am SO glad that I did because I wore these with every single outfit I wore during competition week. I genuinely don't know I competed without these before. They make everything nice and smooth and don't leave any lines in your clothes!
Panty Liners
As a girl who suffers from endometriosis, I am always concerned about my period showing up at the worst times. One of the last things I packed were these thong panty liners, and let me tell you, thank goodness I did. I was wearing a ton of lighter colors and white throughout the week, so I wanted to prevent any accidents from happening that would cause a major wardrobe malfunction.
Rolling Clothes Rack
One of the things I always SWEAR by is bringing your own rolling rack to have in your hotel room. For state week, I had SO many different rehearsal, competition, and special event outfits that would have become wrinkly messes if I left them in my luggage. Having a rolling rack lets all your clothes stay nice and neat and keeps you super organized throughout the week!
Makeup Case
Before competition week, Miss New York told us we were only allowed one makeup bag backstage, so I knew I needed a huge one. I found this black makeup case on Amazon that I personalized with my initials on top. Let me tell you, this case held everything I needed and more, and I loved how there was a light-up mirror inside so I never had to worry about not having the ability to see myself and do touch-ups!
Power Strip
As crazy as it seems, a power strip is THE first thing you should be packing for competition weekend. I can't tell you how many times I've had to plug in multiple hair tools, steamers, and chargers at once, and there were definitely not enough outlets for everything I needed to do. I ordered this one right before the competition, and I was thanking myself all week for buying it.
Eye Masks
During competition week, you are going to be doing heavy makeup looks nonstop, so you want to take care of your skin as much as you can. I am obsessed with these eye masks that are a dupe for the Chanel ones I save for special occasions. I swear these eye masks keep my undereyes looking bright and refreshed, and they allow you to have less cleanup with your eyeshadow.
While I definitely took way too long to unpack after competition week, I'm glad I took the time to reflect on the competition before unpacking all the memories away. Plus, I made a specific pile full of all the products in this blog because I knew I wanted to share them all with you. Whether it's your first competition or your hundredth, know I'm sending you ALL the good vibes and good luck (and I hope these products help!).
