Stage glam isn’t everyday glam. It’s time to LEVEL UP.
You’ve sculpted your physique, perfected your posing, and locked in your stage look—now it’s time to complete the package with camera-ready, stage-slaying glam.
On show day, your makeup and hair have a big job to do:
This week, we’re showing you what stage glam really takes—because looking the part is just as important as playing it.
Stage makeup is bolder, darker, and more defined than everyday looks. You’ll be under bright lights with a deep tan—so subtle doesn’t cut it.
Go 2 shades darker than your face (or 2 shades lighter than your tan if you're already sprayed).
Think smoky/bright, dramatic, and well-blended. Shimmers can add pop, but avoid anything too light, or frosty, or colorful.
Brows should be defined and clean. Lashes? Go full glam. Strip lashes are a must!
Bold, lined lips with lasting power. Think berry tones, mauves, or reds—nothing nude or too light.
You will sweat. Lock everything in with setting spray and powder.
Your hairstyle should flatter your face, stay put, and match your division’s vibe.
: Flat hair = flat look. Use rollers, texture spray, and teasing to build shape.
Loose, bouncy curls are a go-to across divisions. Straight hair can work if your hair will hold it perfectly straight and shined. Sleek ponytails or waves can work if styled with polish for the figure division.
Consider a V clip or Halo for length and fullness if needed.
Lopsided or unbalanced styles can throw off your symmetry. Practice your show-day hair beforehand. No surprises backstage!
A flawless tan can make or break your look—don’t wing it.
Your tan brings out the muscle definition, symmetry, and lines you’ve worked so hard to build. But if it’s blotchy, too light, too dark, or streaky? It becomes a distraction instead of an enhancement.
Follow these essential tan prep tips to make sure your skin is ready to glow—not freak out.
Start 7-10 days before your spray tan and exfoliate daily with a non-oil-based scrub or exfoliating mitt. Focus on elbows, knees, ankles, underarms, bikini area, under glutes, and back of the neck. Avoid scrubs with moisturizing beads or oils—they create a barrier that can mess with your tan.
Moisturize your whole body daily up until 48 hours before your spray tan. After that, stop using lotion completely. Any residue will prevent your tan from adhering properly. Avoid heavy, fragrance-filled lotions (like Bath & Body Works) leading up to the show.
The day of your base tan: No deodorant No makeup No lotion No perfume All of these can cause green spots, uneven tan, or patches.
Shave/use hair removal cream at least 24 hours before your tan application. Don’t shave the day of—it can cause irritation and lead to blotchiness. If using NAIR or similar, do this 2 days prior to your tan application. Avoid waxing within 3–5 days of the show to prevent skin lifting or residue.
Bring/wear: Loose, dark clothing (no seams, no tight waistbands) Slides or flip flops Long-sleeve robe or coverup for after tan Old sheets and a towel for your hotel bed
No spray tans before your competition tan No bar soap or Dove soap—it leaves residue that blocks the tan No oily or thick lotions No tight sports bras, socks, or leggings after you’re tanned
If you’ve never used a specific tanning company before, try to get a trial tan 3–4 weeks before your show. It’ll help you see how the formula looks on your skin and whether you need extra color layers on show day.
✨ FINAL THOUGHT:
Your tan is your stage lighting insurance. A perfect physique can be ruined by a bad tan—and an average physique can be elevated by a clean, even glow. Treat it like part of your prep—because it is.
Test your full makeup + hair look in lighting that mimics stage conditions. Even if you plan to have it professionally done, knowing you have a backup plan will put you at ease.
Practice taking selfies or video under ring lights or harsh lighting—see what pops and what fades.
Avoid white shimmer or frosty shades. They can wash out or look ashy under stage lights.
If you’re not confident doing your own glam, book an artist with experience in stage makeup—not bridal or editorial. We have the best recommendations for artists across the country.
Show day glam starts way before the stage—it actually begins with your skin prep. If you want your makeup to look smooth, vibrant, and flawless under those bright lights, you need to start taking care of your skin well ahead of time.
That means building a consistent routine now: cleanse daily, exfoliate gently a few times a week, and moisturize to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Hydration plays a huge role in how your foundation lays and wears—dehydrated skin can make even the best makeup look patchy or uneven.
Make sure you’re also protecting your skin from breakouts or irritation by avoiding harsh products close to show day. And don’t forget your lips—exfoliate and keep them moisturized so your lipstick applies smoothly and doesn’t crack.
The goal is to create the perfect canvas for your glam. When your skin is taken care of, your makeup won’t just sit on top—it will enhance your natural beauty and last all day through posing, photos, and the big stage moment. Think of your skincare routine as part of your prep—it’s just as important as your meals and training.
"POV Beauty" has a great all line of Skin care that I LOVE!
It’s not about matching your face exactly to your spray tan. In fact, trying to match it too closely can actually make your face look muddy or too dark on stage.
Going about 1–2 shades lighter than your body. A great go-to is NARS Radiant Longwear in shades like Aruba or Tahoe and buying one shade closer to your natural skin tone and blending them until you find that perfect in-between.
The key is balance. Once your foundation is on, use contour and bronzer to pull everything together and match the warmth of your tan without going overboard. That layered, blended approach gives you a flawless, glowing finish under those bright stage lights—and keeps your face from looking flat or too heavy.
When it comes to show day eye makeup, less is more in the right places. You want bold, defined eyes that pop under the stage lights—but still look clean and polished.
Lash extensions are great, but skip the super long or overly thick ones. Big lashes can cast shadows on your cheeks and actually make your eyes look smaller on stage. Go for a wispy, full set that lifts and opens your eyes without weighing them down. Think volume, not drag queen drama.
Avoid trying to match your eyeshadow to your suit color. On stage it can clash, distract, or just look overdone. Stick to flattering neutrals—warm browns, bronzes, golds, pinks or champagne shades—that enhance your features and catch the light beautifully.
Use matte shades in the crease to define your eyes, and add just a touch of shimmer to the lid or inner corner for that bright, awake look. Keep everything well-blended—harsh lines don’t hold up under stage lighting.
Don’t forget the brows and lower lash line—they tie the look together and help your face look balanced from every angle.
Your eyes should enhance your presence, not compete with your physique .
Lip color on stage is a game-changer. The key is finding the perfect balance: not too light that your lips disappear, and not too dark that it overpowers your whole look.
Avoid super nude or pale lip shades—they may look great in everyday glam, but under bright stage lights they’ll wash you out completely. Your lips can vanish in photos or make your whole look feel unfinished.
Go for rich, warm tones like rose, mauve, or soft berry. These colors bring life to your face and pair beautifully with a strong tan and bold eye makeup. A little shine or satin finish helps too—completely matte lips can fall flat on stage, while a subtle sheen catches the light just right.
Liner is a must—define your lip shape with a slightly deeper liner and blend it into the lipstick for fullness and dimension. It makes a huge difference in how your lips read from the stage.
Using a Long wearing lip color such as Maybelline ink crayon will ensure your lips stay on from pre judging to finals !
Show day hair is all about enhancing your overall look—not distracting from it. Whether you're rocking natural hair or extensions, the goal is soft, polished, and stage-worthy.
Soft curls are the most popular choice for a reason—they add volume, movement, and frame your face beautifully under stage lights. Think loose, flowing curls rather than tight spirals.
If you’re wearing your hair straight, make sure it still has some body and movement. Straight styles should still look intentional and glam, not like you skipped the styling altogether.
Avoid wearing hair that's too long—especially if it falls below your waist. Extra-long hair can cover your glutes and waistline, hiding the shape you've worked so hard for. Keep your hair at a length that still shows off your physique, especially from the back. If you’re using extensions, trim them so they complement your body, not compete with it.
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE !!!!
Make sure to do a full trial run of your show day glam well before the big day. That means hair, makeup, tan, lashes, suit—everything just like it will be for the show. Practicing ahead of time helps you avoid any last-minute surprises or stress, and gives you a chance to tweak anything that doesn’t quite feel right.
You’ll learn exactly how long it takes you to get ready, what products work best with your tan, and how your makeup wears throughout the day. The more familiar you are with your routine, the more confident and calm you’ll feel when it counts.
Even if you’re planning to use the official show makeup and hair sponsor, it’s so important to have your own full glam kit ready—just in case. While most of the time everything goes smoothly, unexpected things can happen: scheduling delays, miscommunications, last-minute changes, or emergencies that could leave you scrambling.
Having your own kit means you’re prepared no matter what. You don’t want to be in a situation where you're rushed or, worse, have to go on stage without your hair and makeup fully done.
This week, do a full trial run of your stage glam! Hair, makeup, lashes—the full look.
Snap a selfie or short video and post it in the group, on your story, and on your feed and let us know:
This is your chance to test it before you wear it under pressure.
Post your entry on your preferred social media platform using the hashtags #SYTYCP #PrepChallenge #BombshellInc, and tag us for a chance to be featured and WIN the WEEK 6 PRIZE!
Your glam shouldn’t distract. It should enhance. When your look is cohesive—physique, suit, posing, glam—you become unforgettable.
Don’t just step on stage… glam up like you OWN it!!
