Thanks to Stephanie Simons I had the opportunity to connect with Maureen Atwell, Miss Nevada USA Executive State Director. Since the Miss USA pageant is known for their swimsuit competition I took the opportunity to get Maureen’s advice on the pageant swimwear competition.

Click Here >>> To Learn about the 5 Foods that Fight Abdominal Fat

Q. What is the best hairstyle to wear during the pageant swimwear competition? Up or down?

A. Best hairstyle for swimsuit would be what looks best on the person taking into consideration: age, height, face shape, hair texture, health of hair, etc. Personally, for Teen I like it up in a ponytail or half up/half down so the attention is drawn to the face. For the Miss USA pageant, I prefer to see the hair styled down, simple and with a little bounce.

Q. How can the girl determine what is the best cut of swimsuit for their body?

A. Do your homework and figure out what assets you want to enhance and those you would like to divert attention from. When pageant swimwear and cut is involved there are tips for a longer leg, balancing figure shapes, amount of cleavage you want to have/show. However, before you can implement these strategies you have to know what you want to accomplish. And please check the fit of the swimsuit from the rear. Double-sided tape and spray glue will help keep most swimwear in place, but a good fit will negate any need for glue or tape.

Q. When it comes to beauty pageant swimwear how important is the color of the swimsuit?

A. Personally, I prefer to see a solid “true” color on stage. The pastels get washed out and the neutrals don’t show up well under the stage lights. You don’t want to fade into the background. Check for the rules on what your pageant will allow regarding swimwear cut and color and look online for ideas before purchasing. Currently metallics are coming back into style. Be careful of where the spotlight or stage lighting will hit and create a “bump or lump”. Don’t emphasize an area you’d rather not have spotlighted.

Q. While competing in the pageant swimwear competition are your suggestions concerning earrings and shoes?

A. I would suggest keeping earrings simple. If you are going for big, go for a hoop. Look at size and shape from the distance you will be judged from. If they are too small, most likely the judges won’t see them. If too big, they will over power your face and draw attention to the earrings instead of the contestant. I do not recommend rhinestones with swimwear.

Shoes! Hot topic here! I would love to see the clear acrylic platform shoes be considered extinct. In place of those, try a gold, silver or skin colored strappy high-heeled sandal or if you have to, pumps with a peep toe. Try to avoid the clear acrylic 7″ heels, with the 4″ platform under the toe. Just not classy.