My Miss Locs Pageant Sponsors
Makeup- Tierra Nichole Artistry
The Miss Locs Pageant preparation started when I arrived to my 10:15 am appointment with Tierra Nichole. Her assistant started with me at that exact time. Zoe asked me if I normally wear makeup. And I don’t. I showed her a picture of a look that I was thinking of. It was just what she was thinking as well. When I got to Tierra she inquired about the event and recommended earthy tone and dramatic lashes. I was for it all. Zoe already placed lashes on, so Tierra placed bigger ones on top. As long as they didn’t look like bristles on a hairbrush I was fine. Voila!! See my picture!! To book Tierra Nichole – click here.
Nails- Polished by Trell
I’m really a plain Jane when it comes to nails. Typically I get a solid color and that’s it. I was on Instagram the week of the pageant and saw what I wanted in my feed. My friend Satrelia “Trell” had a post on some pretty pink nails. I knew then that was the look I wanted, or something similar, so I commented on the picture asking if she was available. That same evening, she did my acrylic fingernails and polished my toes.
Satrelia is a high school classmate of mine who started a business venture in nails last year at La Bella Nails in Goose Creek, SC. As she carefully did my nails, she informed me of every step of her nail technique. We went back down memory lane and it felt like a teenage sleepover. See more of work and book your appointment Polished by Trell.
Hair- Wrap-A-Loc Tool
I’m currently growing the back and sides of my hair. I envisioned flat twists on the sides of my head and curly locs swooped to the right side. I got my locs retwisted and the unloc’d hair coiled. When I got home I flat twisted the left side. Then I started individually wrapping all the locs with wrap-a-loc tool for my curls. To get your own wrap-a-loc tool click here.
Photography-Brand On Graphics
Brand On Graphics supplied the professional photos that you see for the event. In between breaks we took various poses including with my friends and other contestants. Contact Brandon and follow him at Brand On Graphics here.
Miss Locs Pageant Day
As I arrived my husband and I gathered all my things including clothes and supplies and went inside. I was the first contestant to arrive. Within the hour I met and greeted the other contestants: Tisha Baker, Maranda Churn, Nikki Dunn, and Alzeta Hardaway. All of them came from out of town including Georgia and Maryland. These are very talented and amazing women who are mothers, a (young) grandmother, survivors, and active in their communities.
Pageant Judging
1st Category – Business Attire
First we got dressed into our business outfits. I selected a primrose pink pant suit. The blazer tied in the front which isn’t traditional, but stylish. One of my besties assisted me with final decision on my blouse and earrings. We went with the pearl drop earrings. Mine were left at home so she came through to let me borrow a pair. I ended up wearing the black short sleeve blouse to compliment my gray plaid and black kitten heeled shoe. I went with the low heel to help me with walking as my (broken) great toe wasn’t 100% healed yet. And it’s a nice professional look.
For this category all of us contestants lined up, walked through the aisles of the auditorium and made our way to stage. Then shortly we exited the stage to prepare for our talent session.
2nd Category- Personal Style
I’m no style guru, but my choice of fashion has improved over the past 5 years at least. Pinterest and my friends helped with that.
Here we wore whatever we desired for our talent. Since I was crafting I figured I could be cute while I worked. I had on a kitten heel suede boot that allowed comfort and practicality. My top was black short sleeve, and off the shoulders. Pants were burgundy, black, and gray plaid boot cut dress pants. I wore a light gray beret with black trim and frosty silver pair of hoop earrings.
Talent
My talents does not involve entertainment, but more so writing, hospitality, and service. I’m really good with planning and organizing events and trips. Showing that as a talent just didn’t formulate in my mind. I love arts and crafts; however I haven’t drawn or painted in years. Plus painting would be messy.
I chose wreath making. Since I wasn’t sure the amount of time we’d be given, I had one of my completed wreaths available on the stage as an end product. I brought a small table from home (just in case the venue didn’t have one) to sit the wooden wreath on. My flowers were pre-cut to save time. (You see me planning right!) I had my scissors and glue gun to actually show how to cut and secure the flowers, but as I was putting on my business attire I had a snag in my pants, so my friend got my scissors from my supplies and I left them in the back. Did I panic? Just a little, but I had to keep going. I didn’t complete my wreath as I was signaled by the host to end my session.
3rd Category- Evening Wear/Q&A
Initially I was excited about this. The dress I planned to wear was a one shoulder, A-line, floor length teal dress with pockets. When the dress came in on that Friday it did not fit at all. I had two sizes 6 and 8. There’s is absolutely no way I should need a size 10. Therefore I was out at the malls and bridal boutique that evening. It was disappointing, but there was no time for me to get mad. I had to find something. And it needed to be affordable and able to wear at a later date. I decided on a long black chiffon dress to pair with my black velvet open toe heeled sandal. Although it was last minute, I got a layered white pearl necklace and pearl bracelets for my accessories.
As for the Q&A, I graciously and confidently came out into the auditorium and on the stage. I responded to the questions tactfully and honestly to the audience including the other contestants who were watching. There were 3 questions. I can recall two of them at the moment. One was related to what does the world need to be a better place. I provided a detailed response pertaining to love. The last question was regarding what makes me a good candidate to be Miss Locs. Here is where I could have shared more about myself. In hindsight as I’m reflecting, if I wasn’t asked directly I didn’t share. One of the few lessons I learned.
Miss Locs Pageant Final Results
- 3rd Place– Alzeta Hardaway
- 2nd Place– Nikki Dunn
- 1st Place– Maranda Churn
I’m not sure who won the Instagram People’s Choice Award. It wasn’t announced. Perhaps it was factored into the final results.
As you can see I didn’t win anything. That was disappointing. At the end there was a rush to vacate the building. I’m kind of glad because that prevented me from having a self pity party. What made my night was when a lovely little girl who might have been around 10 years old came up to me and asked to take a picture with me. In my mind, I was like, “Really, me?” Maybe I inspired her. That’s what it’s all about. Another lesson.
I’ll end this post with the famous Latin phrase, “veni, vidi, vici” meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Fear was conquered. People’s thoughts weren’t on my mind. Nor was I nervous the entire day. I tried something new and did what I sought out to do even though I didn’t win. I owed the experience to my younger self. The unattractive little girl with the relaxed, but still nappy hair who never thought she was pretty. You aren’t just smart anymore. From embracing my nappy crown down to my painted toes, I’m naturally pretty, beautiful, and talented inside and out.
Additional Miss Locs Pageant Pics
