So many contest, so little time!

Now for some sound advice from everyone's favorite glitter-filled fairy godmother, Valerie Voiture, with some tips to help make your contest participation fun, easy, and effective!

It's the peak of summer which means we are half way through the season.  For pin ups that like to compete, it's enough to get a few contests under your belt, learn a few things, and still do a handful more before the leaves turn. There's plenty of good advice out there regarding how to win but have you ever thought about how to best choose a contest to increase your chances?  Here are five simple tips to help you navigate the contest scene...

1. Who is running this ship?
Reputations matter. Is your coordinator well known? In a good way?!  It's nearly impossible to rig contests and it's far and few between but it does happen on rare occasions. Choose contests that you know will be fair because the organizer is respected and has everyone's best interest in mind.  These are typically excellent options that will be scored and weighted in a well thought out, organized fashion. Remember, this is supposed to be a fun enjoyable event!

2. Who are your judges?
Not all contest organizers share that information prior to the show. It's usually kept secret to avoid contestants influencing or "buttering up" judges ahead of time, which can be a wise decision. That said, some contests do disclose judges' names or perhaps you know who did it the year before. If you know who they are or who they may potentially be, consider their credentials. Are they well known in the community? Are they asked to judge multiple shows because they're trustworthy and fair?  Have they, themselves, won several titles and have loads of experience?  Are they able to be impartial, even if their friends are competing?! Reputation, experience, and integrity matters here again.

3. Who are your competitors?
 If you're brand new and decide to do a huge show like Viva, you may find yourself in way over your head!  Huge prizes draw very well seasoned competitors.  You also may not know until the day of the show, either, which can also be unnerving. Think about taking baby steps and starting small at local shows with friends or other amateur contestants first in order to build some experience and confidence. Use it as a learning platform and take feedback into consideration. Make improvements and try one that might be a little tougher!

4. What's the event?
It's no secret Glitterbiscuits is a bit of a glamourpuss, Dahlingks, and I do love my rhinestone bougieness. That said, it wouldn't be prudent to wear a full sequin gown to a psychobilly motorcycle event or drag racing event.  Know what sort of event you're entering and fit the style.  Sometimes contests have themes so the work is done for you already. If not, check social media for more information including photos posted by attendees from previous years. See how the past winner(s) looked and find a way to emulate a similar style that still suits you and who you are as a person all while representing the event itself.

5. Find a mentor
Having a trusted person who you admire give you feedback is invaluable. Anyone whose style you love, is kind, and knows their stuff is a great asset to upping your pin up game in general. It's likely, too, that they have been in the scene a while and can speak to the quality of a contest you're considering or, at least, the level of competition might expect for any given show. Again, choose wisely!  Invest your trust in someone worthy of it. Whether their credentials are winning multiple titles, numerous publications, style mavens, bloggers, etc., find a mentor who matches your own goals. Additionally, it's always good to have some moral support and guidance from someone in the know who genuinely cares about you.

Lastly, enjoy your summer! It's here for such a short time and there will be snow again before you know it. Have fun! Try new things! Learn stuff!

 If you ever have any questions you can always shoot me a message! Remember! I'm here to help! Glitterbiscuits loves you!  💜😘

~VV

Valerie 'Glitterbiscuits' Voiture
Valerie.voiture@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/lavoiturerapide

The Positives Notes of Pinup Contests

For the people who don't know me, I have been on the pin up circuit for seven years. I have done multiple contests, I have won, lost, judged, and sat on the side lines. After all that, I have nothing but positive thoughts when it comes to contests, so let me share with you of all the good things that you get out of putting yourself out there.

It's a great way to get your name out there and promote what you have to offer!

• Your name is announced to everyone.
• The audience gets to see you strut your stuff.
• If you are asked questions you can mention charities or events you want to promote.
•  Sometimes people (more important than judges) will actually see you,  such as working with top photographers and those photos possibly being nationally published
         (that happen in a contest I lost!)

It makes you more approachable for other photographers/people to want to work with you instead of just hanging around in the crowd.

• This is the icebreaker for most people, because you officially introduced yourself to everyone and made yourself a public figure.

You make new friends!

• I have met many of new ladies just by being in the contest. I wrapped my arms around a lady because she was cold. I adjusted another’s outfit so it was stage friendly and she placed. I've dusted other girls' clothes off after they sat in a dusty spot. I have, over all, gotten along with most the girls. There are the ones that are standoff-ish and that is ok. Sometimes they're just shy! It's a contest but no one is trying to be your enemy here

Look at all these beautiful ladies that I have met and can call friend!

You feel good about yourself!

• This is the tricky part. It is very disheartening to lose contests, especially if you put in a lot of effort to make yourself stand out. But the true winner of the contest is for the ladies who never give up. Making a name for yourself is more important than the win, because you’ll be remember as a talented, beautiful, and most of all gracious, lady instead.

You are still a winner.

• You did it! You stood up in front of the crowd and you showed those people who’s the boss. If you won, congratulations! But if you didn’t win the shiny crown, the money, or the sash that doesn’t make you any less of a winner. You made a memory, you made new friends, and you made a name for yourself

The long path to be an impersinator

So, you may be wondering why a brunette like me is so fascinated with Marilyn Monroe. Well, she just an amazing, talented lady.

My first attempted was trying to embody her with what I had. I curled my hair short and used her makeup tips to paint my face, It kinda worked. Its more of a dark Marilyn effect.


                                                                                                                                                                                                             Photographers: Autumn Luciano
So my next step was the wig. It is super hard trying to find a Marilyn wig. Even impossible to find one with a widows peak. So I used what I could get.

The 2nd attempt to embody such a lady involved her famous white dress from the Seven Year Itch. I looked and looked until I could find one that had the proper pleating from top to bottom with the ribbon lacing. I found a beautiful one from the UK...I wore it right out of the package, was a bit large. It'll be fixed by my next attempted. Also, I found a reproduction of her pink dress made famous in her movie, Niagara. I found it at www.pinupgirlclothing.com its actually very nicely made with just a few inaccuracies. I closed off the slit in the front and opened it in the back, Still need to make a few more alterations, but its wearable.



Photographer: RSII Photographer & Pointe Photography

And other than a few corrections, I almost have it down. Yet, most people wonder why I just don't dye my hair blonde. Well one, it will completely destroy my hair, and two, I'm not Marilyn Monroe. I don't want my whole life being compared to someone I can never be. I want to give people the entertainment of one of their idols, but still know I can still be myself.