Earlier this week, Donald Trump and the reigning Miss USA Erin Brady announced that Miss USA 2014 would be held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on June 8. For the past six years, the Miss USA pageant has been held in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is where I was crowned in June 2011. While the location may be different this year, some things are still the same. The pageant is being held the second weekend of June, but the contestants actually arrive about three weeks prior to the telecast. Most state pageants only last one or two days over a weekend between the months of July and January, and even though it does fly by fast, to be in pageant mode for three weeks is a whole other ballgame! So what does one pack or what should one pack for such a one in a lifetime experience? Each girl's wardrobe, hair, and makeup styles will be completely different and each state usually has different sponsors (some have the same), but there are some necessities contestants should consider when competing for such a lengthy period of time. Makeup Sets - Whether you're in Nevada or Louisiana, lengthy days in the sun can affect your makeup. I can recall countless appearances that were outdoors when I was competing AND passing on my title, and since there are plenty of things to do in Baton Rouge I will assume there will be many outdoor activities. The last thing any girl wants is to have her foundation, bronzer, blush, and eyeshadow melting away. Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray helps prep your face before applying any makeup, which helps the makeup stay put longer (godsend!). There's also Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray, which is sprayed after you apply your makeup to hold it in place. It also controls any oil buildup which is extremely helpful! Eye Masks - One popular (and true) complaint about competing at Miss USA is the lack of sleep. A lot of events that the contestants attend end around midnight, and breakfast the following morning is scheduled for 7 am. This is the Miss USA pageant, so no one shows up to breakfast in their pajamas with their hair in a ponytail and zero makeup on. No no no. Girls usually rise between 4:30 and 5 am to thoroughly prep for the day with hair and makeup styling (all done by themselves, by the way). Lack of sleep, however, equals puffy eyes. A trick I learned during one of my hectic New York Fashion Week schedules was to apply under eye masks (such as Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask) on my face that helped reduce dark circles and puffy eyes from fatigue. After I wash and moisturize my face in the morning, I would apply the under eye masks for 15 minutes while I set my hair. Then I would put on my makeup. It made my eyes look like I had gotten eight hours of sleep when in reality I had only gotten about four. Cleansing oil: After a long day of appearances and rehearsals, washing off all your makeup can actually feel like a chore. Trust me, I've been there. I get so lazy that I just use face wipes instead of properly washing my face but after a while of doing that, eventually my sensitive skin becomes raw and irritated which is not a good look for photos while at Miss USA. Instead of regular face wash, Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil is a much gentler alternative to removing all makeup residue entirely. The cleansing oil will not dry out your skin or make it raw. Shoe Inserts & Heel Shields: I cannot stress enough how much contestants stand on their feet all day in heels. At first, you feel invincible and believe your strong feet will be able to withstand six inch heels daily for three weeks. But after day four, suddenly your feet feel like they want to detach from your body and head to the spa. A way to make heels more comfortable and bearable during the entire pageant is to put heel shields or foot pillows inside your shoes. All of my current heels and flats have heel shields. It helps keep the back of the shoe from rubbing against my heel, which can easily cause blisters. It also keeps the shoe in place. Foot pillows keep your feet comfortable while inside the shoe (this is better for flats), and secret sole inserts are a godsend. Secret Soles are best for heels because they add comfort and help prevent your foot from moving so much inside the shoe. They are also clear, so no one will see them. Flats: These certainly come in handy during the final rehearsal week. While many girls choose to wear heels during rehearsals to practice on stage, while walking to and from rehearsals you can save your feet by wearing stylish, comfy flats. I cannot stress enough how important it is to rest your feet during the pageant, especially by the end. By that time, it has been three weeks of nonstop schedules and the last thing you want is your feet to give out the night of the final telecast! I mentioned new flats in an earlier post, or there's casual black ones from Chinese Laundry or even Forever 21. Tote bag: This is also a handy piece during the final rehearsal week. In my tote bag, I carried my flats, a book, a blanket (it was COLD in our theater), snacks, any key pieces of makeup for quick touch-ups in case of a sudden photo shoot or interview, my phone, my journal, and little notes from friends and family. Note: Not a sponsored post.

Earlier this week, Donald Trump and the reigning Miss USA Erin Brady announced that Miss USA 2014 would be held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on June 8. For the past six years, the Miss USA pageant has been held in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is where I was crowned in June 2011. While the location may be different this year, some things are still the same. The pageant is being held the second weekend of June, but the contestants actually arrive about three weeks prior to the telecast. Most state pageants only last one or two days over a weekend between the months of July and January, and even though it does fly by fast, to be in pageant mode for three weeks is a whole other ballgame! So what does one pack or what should one pack for such a one in a lifetime experience? Each girl’s wardrobe, hair, and makeup styles will be completely different and each state usually has different sponsors (some have the same), but there are some necessities contestants should consider when competing for such a lengthy period of time.

Makeup Sets – Whether you’re in Nevada or Louisiana, lengthy days in the sun can affect your makeup. I can recall countless appearances that were outdoors when I was competing AND passing on my title, and since there are plenty of things to do in Baton Rouge I will assume there will be many outdoor activities. The last thing any girl wants is to have her foundation, bronzer, blush, and eyeshadow melting away. Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray helps prep your face before applying any makeup, which helps the makeup stay put longer (godsend!). There’s also Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray, which is sprayed after you apply your makeup to hold it in place. It also controls any oil buildup which is extremely helpful!

Eye Masks – One popular (and true) complaint about competing at Miss USA is the lack of sleep. A lot of events that the contestants attend end around midnight, and breakfast the following morning is scheduled for 7 am. This is the Miss USA pageant, so no one shows up to breakfast in their pajamas with their hair in a ponytail and zero makeup on. No no no. Girls usually rise between 4:30 and 5 am to thoroughly prep for the day with hair and makeup styling (all done by themselves, by the way). Lack of sleep, however, equals puffy eyes. A trick I learned during one of my hectic New York Fashion Week schedules was to apply under eye masks (such as Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask) on my face that helped reduce dark circles and puffy eyes from fatigue. After I wash and moisturize my face in the morning, I would apply the under eye masks for 15 minutes while I set my hair. Then I would put on my makeup. It made my eyes look like I had gotten eight hours of sleep when in reality I had only gotten about four.

Cleansing oil: After a long day of appearances and rehearsals, washing off all your makeup can actually feel like a chore. Trust me, I’ve been there. I get so lazy that I just use face wipes instead of properly washing my face but after a while of doing that, eventually my sensitive skin becomes raw and irritated which is not a good look for photos while at Miss USA. Instead of regular face wash, Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil is a much gentler alternative to removing all makeup residue entirely. The cleansing oil will not dry out your skin or make it raw.

Shoe Inserts & Heel Shields: I cannot stress enough how much contestants stand on their feet all day in heels. At first, you feel invincible and believe your strong feet will be able to withstand six inch heels daily for three weeks. But after day four, suddenly your feet feel like they want to detach from your body and head to the spa. A way to make heels more comfortable and bearable during the entire pageant is to put heel shields or foot pillows inside your shoes. All of my current heels and flats have heel shields. It helps keep the back of the shoe from rubbing against my heel, which can easily cause blisters. It also keeps the shoe in place. Foot pillows keep your feet comfortable while inside the shoe (this is better for flats), and secret sole inserts are a godsend. Secret Soles are best for heels because they add comfort and help prevent your foot from moving so much inside the shoe. They are also clear, so no one will see them.

Flats: These certainly come in handy during the final rehearsal week. While many girls choose to wear heels during rehearsals to practice on stage, while walking to and from rehearsals you can save your feet by wearing stylish, comfy flats. I cannot stress enough how important it is to rest your feet during the pageant, especially by the end. By that time, it has been three weeks of nonstop schedules and the last thing you want is your feet to give out the night of the final telecast! I mentioned new flats in an earlier post, or there’s casual black ones from Chinese Laundry or even Forever 21.

Tote bag: This is also a handy piece during the final rehearsal week. In my tote bag, I carried my flats, a book, a blanket (it was COLD in our theater), snacks, any key pieces of makeup for quick touch-ups in case of a sudden photo shoot or interview, my phone, my journal, and little notes from friends and family.

Note: Not a sponsored post.