Topics of Discussions
Over the years I have worked with men and women helping them in their endeavors to achieve their goals. The
topics below are Items that I wanted to write about. So I've collected my notes, thoughts, and ideas on the subjects.
Much of it from the competitors, trainers and promoters that I've worked with, and also from actual experience by trial
and error. Remember this site is a work in progress so be patient.
The Road to Your Success
On Finding Sponsors
Planning your Competitions
Training, Dieting, and Nutrition
Preparation for Show
Care of your Suits
Ladies, the night before a show you're going to prep your suit. You'll want to take a lint brush and brush out any lint
in your costumes. Then your going to take a dry soft cloth like a wash cloth and gently wipe the crystals getting any
oil and dirt off your stones. Make sure the straps are not tangled (if you have one of though criss cross backs) and
if you do straighten it out and pin the straps. You'll want to take your suit and put it in a ziploc bag. Zip it almost to
the end and then use a can of canned air (like what you use to clean your computer) and blow the ziploc bag up.
This helps to keep air around your suit and keeps from crushing the cups. If your suit is prepped, it's just a matter
of when your ready to get it on, remember to take the pin out from the back. And your set.
On cleaning your suits
You spend a lot of money on your costumes. So the care of it and keeping it in good shape is important. The truth
of the matter is, the less you have to wash a costume the better. But fact is you get paint on it and sweat and dirt.
So I've learned a few things handling costumes, and the wardrobe person I worked with have this down. And you
can do this with your suits. Use a can of Scotchgard or some other water repellent spray. Spray the inside of your
suits, especially the cups and area of the wire, the crotch area. This protects the fabric and it's just a matter of
taking a wet wash cloth and wiping these areas. The soil sits on top of the fibers, not in it and it washes out easier.
And if you used bikini bite or some other adhesive to glue your suit it works out the glue easier than if you didn't
treat the fabrics. The stretch foil suits are great with this process as you can clean the insides of the suit well without
submerging the whole suit. The glue also comes out easier on the foils.
But if you have a velvet suit submerge it. When washing the suit use a little Dawn dish soap. A little bit of the stuff
cleans the suit really well. DO NOT USE WOOLITE! There is sometihing in that product that dries the spandex
rubber in the elastic and also in the fabric. If you ever have the experience of taking a garment with elastic in it and
the elastic just gives and doesn't contract....the rubber is dried out and has turned brittle from the woolite or some
other harsh detergent.
So you have a velvet suit and a dish pan with some warm water with a little Dawn detergent in it. Submerge the
bottom have of the suit first. I use a soft nail brush to work the glue out. Then I wash the inside of the cups with a
wash cloth. If you have to submerge the whole thing, so be it. But do not leave it to soak. After you're finished, lay
it on a towel and pat the water out. Reshape the cups and hang it on a hanger. I use a blow dryer to get it half
dried and to bring up the pile of the fiber (velvet) and let it air dry completely. Do not store if it is damp. And when
you store it, store it with air in a ziploc bag like in a little balloon. That way if you set anything on top of it and/or
storing in a drawer, it won't crush the cups or flatten the pile of the fabric. Also if you're transporting the suit, like in
your bag, it's protected also. I have girls that have suits from 8 years ago that is in mint condition.
Painting and Preparations
For thoughs who have never done a show and don't know the first thing about painting you body, this is for you.
You'll want to start about a month out and remove all the hair off of your body...your whole body. If you're using a
razor start with a new razor please.... a triple blade razor is the best. If your are using a hair remover product, read
the instructions as too how long you leave it on before you wipe it off. Do not exceed the time as your skill will burn
as it will take your skin off. And if you are one of those unlucky few that this happens to, do not continue until your
skin is healed. So do not wait last minute before you do this. Start early so that your skin is conditioned to the
removal of hair. The first time you do it, for some of you your skin may feel sensitive. But after you've done this a
couple of times (before the show) your skin is conditioned to the razor or the product and you should also use a
moisturizer to protect your skin.
You'll need to exfoliate (removal of dead skin) with a course wash cloth. I like using the japanese wash cloth, the
brand Silex paying attention to elbows and knees and feet.
Okay so you've been doing this for a couple of weeks and your skin is conditioned and healthy. You've gone
through this process again just before you paint. And now your ready.
I suggest that you find someone who will help you with this. These are some of the things you'll need. You'll need
an old sheet, short sock and gloves to protect your hands and feet. Your hands ad feet you can do the morning of
the show. You will also need a pair of kitchen gloved. You know the ugly yellow gloves you use for cleaning. The
reason for this is that it glides over the skin when your blending. Do not use a latex glove as it sticks to the skin.
You can use the latex to protect your hands. Depending on your own natural color, if your already dark you can do
this the day before. If you are fair you may want to start this process several days before doing it each day. The
product we use is Pro Tan. The product is designed to stains your skin. So determining on the depth of color you
need is dependent on how many layers you will need to put on.
So you got your ProTan, and might I suggest a bottle of Dream Tan. This is more of a cream that you can put on
the day of the show after you've Pro Tan stain process. You got your sheet, gloves, product. Your feet are
protected and so is your hands and you have your friend who is going to spray the Pro Tan all over your body. Just
in case you haven't figured this out, use a thong or a g-string. Just have him spray and staturate your skin with the
product. Never mind it running. Just spray and saturate. I like doing this outside if it's cool or in an air conditioned
room where your not going to sweat. Your going to just let the product dry and then your friend is going to use the
kitchen gloves and the brush that comes with the Pro Tan to blend.
Repeat the process if you have to but then depending on the time you have you can do this over 3 days. The day
of the show apply the dream tan. I like using it because it gives you that nice bronze effect as your finish.
Okay, that's the process. Some of my clients like to go and have this professionally done. But it can be pricey and
also you might not get as deep a color as you would like. So many of them have gone back to using this tried and
trued method of coloring.
If you are faired skin, do not put this product on your face. Girls, if your using this process use a slightly darker
foundation. Guys, I would suggest you use a faux (fake tanner that you can use on your face or a foundation that
is darker and blends it into the Pro Tan color. Also guys, if your feet and hands are calloused, get a manicure and
pedicure before you do this process to remove dead cuticle skin on your hands and feet. Any dry patchy areas will
absorb the Paint and it will be black. Remember it's all about the aesthetics.
Renee
If you are traveling to a show remember to bring these items and especially a sheet.
Gluing 101 according to Renee
I have seen so many different ways of adhering the suit. I remember the early pageant where the girls used
hairspray. What a mess. The suit was in lycra and it stuck to your bum but it also got into the fibers which damaged
the suit not to mention all over. It wasn't very strong for the most part and by the time you were on stage your suit
was riding up from the moisture on your skin.
Later there was spray adhesive. Some of the sprays that were used was from the Golf Pro shop, and even from the
craft store. The spray really adhered,,,,but it was so strong some of them, it would take your skin off. And it stuck,
but the spray mist got all over the place. And when it got tacky it stayed tacky and you had to be careful that you
did also picks up anything in the vicinity.
Then there was a roll on... Bikini bite. This seemed to be the best of the adhesives. You had a better control of it.
It rolled on pretty watery and you had to wait till it got tacky to set the suit. If the product was real fresh the layer of
glue was very thin. It's okay but I found that it didn't set the suit very well and for very long. And if it was an older
bottle, that little ball isn't going to budge. And the girls now glut the whole back down now.
Another problem if you haven't figured this out yet. Does your suit for the morning show (pre-lims) fit snugger than
the night show? After gluing the suit in the morning the product has gotten into the fibers. When you put it on for
the night show your suit is not contracting anymore and of course not fitting right. And the more you stretch it only
gets wider? The characteristics of the fabric has been compromised. Stretch meaning it expands and contracts. It
no longer contracts.
Look girls, you've worked too long and come too far not to do this right. I've done a lot of costumes and you pay the
price. I've invested myself into them also. And when I see a suit after a show, I want to cry. So lets do this right. I
know some of you have as many as a dozen competition suits and that is a hefty investment.
I've done a lot of costumes over the years for stage and theatre. Some of these costumes get worn 2-3 times a day
7 days a week, and that's a lot of work for the wardrobe person 24/7 for 4-8 minutes average per stage time. She
takes the time to care for these costumes and you should too. It's your investment.
After experimenting on several of my clients and my inventory and the product itself, I found a way to do this better.
This is the process:
Take the roll on Bikini bite and drill two holes in it close to the top. Squeeze the product into a glass jar (I used a
baby food jar...) I'll squeeze out a third of it per show. Tape the holes after so you can use it again for the next
show you do. If its a new bottle it's really runny. There's enough air in the glass jar to let it thicken. I also have an
eyeliner pencil (you can blend the pencil after or wipe it away after) and a paint bush preferably flat and 1/4" wide.
Set the suit where it should be and draw a line right next to the edge of the suit. Pull the suit away from that line.
Any product under the suit (Oil, Dream tan, paint, pam) wipe the area that you are gluing so that you have a dry
surface to glue to. Take the brush and the glue, paint a line next to the eyeliner line you just drew. If the product is
thin apply another so that you build a thicker layer. The product should be thicker and tacky. Do this on both sides.
You kind of have to be quick at this, paying attention to the glues tackiness and thickness. When you have
achieved this lay the suit on this line. You don't put any product anywhere else your on your bum. Your suit should
retain the same elasticity for your night show and minimal damage to the suit. The area where the elastic is, is
turned and more protected by the serging thread and fabric, and is adhered. Make sense? And it I've done my job
that bottom should fit you perfectly and feel more comfortable.
It takes a little more time initially but it's worth it. And if you have to change into another suit, just reapply the glue
like before right on that line.
Girls...and guys learn to do this yourself on another person. If you all knew how to do this, help each other. Some
of these shows they won't allow your helper backstage. And the helpers they have, observe them first before you let
them touch you. Some of them are out of control with the glue.
Regarding the brush. At the show after you use it, wipe off excessive glue with a paper napkin.... (put that on the list
to bring). Also bring a small tube of lotion. Put a little on the brush and leave it. It helps to work the glue out in the
brush later (it's not too oily) and store it in a ziploc. In between show work the glue out and wash it with soap and
water. You need to use a clean brush for the night show. And don't forget to cover the glue jar so it doesn't harden.
Okay, that gluing 101 according to Renee.
topics below are Items that I wanted to write about. So I've collected my notes, thoughts, and ideas on the subjects.
Much of it from the competitors, trainers and promoters that I've worked with, and also from actual experience by trial
and error. Remember this site is a work in progress so be patient.
The Road to Your Success
On Finding Sponsors
Planning your Competitions
Training, Dieting, and Nutrition
Preparation for Show
Care of your Suits
Ladies, the night before a show you're going to prep your suit. You'll want to take a lint brush and brush out any lint
in your costumes. Then your going to take a dry soft cloth like a wash cloth and gently wipe the crystals getting any
oil and dirt off your stones. Make sure the straps are not tangled (if you have one of though criss cross backs) and
if you do straighten it out and pin the straps. You'll want to take your suit and put it in a ziploc bag. Zip it almost to
the end and then use a can of canned air (like what you use to clean your computer) and blow the ziploc bag up.
This helps to keep air around your suit and keeps from crushing the cups. If your suit is prepped, it's just a matter
of when your ready to get it on, remember to take the pin out from the back. And your set.
On cleaning your suits
You spend a lot of money on your costumes. So the care of it and keeping it in good shape is important. The truth
of the matter is, the less you have to wash a costume the better. But fact is you get paint on it and sweat and dirt.
So I've learned a few things handling costumes, and the wardrobe person I worked with have this down. And you
can do this with your suits. Use a can of Scotchgard or some other water repellent spray. Spray the inside of your
suits, especially the cups and area of the wire, the crotch area. This protects the fabric and it's just a matter of
taking a wet wash cloth and wiping these areas. The soil sits on top of the fibers, not in it and it washes out easier.
And if you used bikini bite or some other adhesive to glue your suit it works out the glue easier than if you didn't
treat the fabrics. The stretch foil suits are great with this process as you can clean the insides of the suit well without
submerging the whole suit. The glue also comes out easier on the foils.
But if you have a velvet suit submerge it. When washing the suit use a little Dawn dish soap. A little bit of the stuff
cleans the suit really well. DO NOT USE WOOLITE! There is sometihing in that product that dries the spandex
rubber in the elastic and also in the fabric. If you ever have the experience of taking a garment with elastic in it and
the elastic just gives and doesn't contract....the rubber is dried out and has turned brittle from the woolite or some
other harsh detergent.
So you have a velvet suit and a dish pan with some warm water with a little Dawn detergent in it. Submerge the
bottom have of the suit first. I use a soft nail brush to work the glue out. Then I wash the inside of the cups with a
wash cloth. If you have to submerge the whole thing, so be it. But do not leave it to soak. After you're finished, lay
it on a towel and pat the water out. Reshape the cups and hang it on a hanger. I use a blow dryer to get it half
dried and to bring up the pile of the fiber (velvet) and let it air dry completely. Do not store if it is damp. And when
you store it, store it with air in a ziploc bag like in a little balloon. That way if you set anything on top of it and/or
storing in a drawer, it won't crush the cups or flatten the pile of the fabric. Also if you're transporting the suit, like in
your bag, it's protected also. I have girls that have suits from 8 years ago that is in mint condition.
Painting and Preparations
For thoughs who have never done a show and don't know the first thing about painting you body, this is for you.
You'll want to start about a month out and remove all the hair off of your body...your whole body. If you're using a
razor start with a new razor please.... a triple blade razor is the best. If your are using a hair remover product, read
the instructions as too how long you leave it on before you wipe it off. Do not exceed the time as your skill will burn
as it will take your skin off. And if you are one of those unlucky few that this happens to, do not continue until your
skin is healed. So do not wait last minute before you do this. Start early so that your skin is conditioned to the
removal of hair. The first time you do it, for some of you your skin may feel sensitive. But after you've done this a
couple of times (before the show) your skin is conditioned to the razor or the product and you should also use a
moisturizer to protect your skin.
You'll need to exfoliate (removal of dead skin) with a course wash cloth. I like using the japanese wash cloth, the
brand Silex paying attention to elbows and knees and feet.
Okay so you've been doing this for a couple of weeks and your skin is conditioned and healthy. You've gone
through this process again just before you paint. And now your ready.
I suggest that you find someone who will help you with this. These are some of the things you'll need. You'll need
an old sheet, short sock and gloves to protect your hands and feet. Your hands ad feet you can do the morning of
the show. You will also need a pair of kitchen gloved. You know the ugly yellow gloves you use for cleaning. The
reason for this is that it glides over the skin when your blending. Do not use a latex glove as it sticks to the skin.
You can use the latex to protect your hands. Depending on your own natural color, if your already dark you can do
this the day before. If you are fair you may want to start this process several days before doing it each day. The
product we use is Pro Tan. The product is designed to stains your skin. So determining on the depth of color you
need is dependent on how many layers you will need to put on.
So you got your ProTan, and might I suggest a bottle of Dream Tan. This is more of a cream that you can put on
the day of the show after you've Pro Tan stain process. You got your sheet, gloves, product. Your feet are
protected and so is your hands and you have your friend who is going to spray the Pro Tan all over your body. Just
in case you haven't figured this out, use a thong or a g-string. Just have him spray and staturate your skin with the
product. Never mind it running. Just spray and saturate. I like doing this outside if it's cool or in an air conditioned
room where your not going to sweat. Your going to just let the product dry and then your friend is going to use the
kitchen gloves and the brush that comes with the Pro Tan to blend.
Repeat the process if you have to but then depending on the time you have you can do this over 3 days. The day
of the show apply the dream tan. I like using it because it gives you that nice bronze effect as your finish.
Okay, that's the process. Some of my clients like to go and have this professionally done. But it can be pricey and
also you might not get as deep a color as you would like. So many of them have gone back to using this tried and
trued method of coloring.
If you are faired skin, do not put this product on your face. Girls, if your using this process use a slightly darker
foundation. Guys, I would suggest you use a faux (fake tanner that you can use on your face or a foundation that
is darker and blends it into the Pro Tan color. Also guys, if your feet and hands are calloused, get a manicure and
pedicure before you do this process to remove dead cuticle skin on your hands and feet. Any dry patchy areas will
absorb the Paint and it will be black. Remember it's all about the aesthetics.
Renee
If you are traveling to a show remember to bring these items and especially a sheet.
Gluing 101 according to Renee
I have seen so many different ways of adhering the suit. I remember the early pageant where the girls used
hairspray. What a mess. The suit was in lycra and it stuck to your bum but it also got into the fibers which damaged
the suit not to mention all over. It wasn't very strong for the most part and by the time you were on stage your suit
was riding up from the moisture on your skin.
Later there was spray adhesive. Some of the sprays that were used was from the Golf Pro shop, and even from the
craft store. The spray really adhered,,,,but it was so strong some of them, it would take your skin off. And it stuck,
but the spray mist got all over the place. And when it got tacky it stayed tacky and you had to be careful that you
did also picks up anything in the vicinity.
Then there was a roll on... Bikini bite. This seemed to be the best of the adhesives. You had a better control of it.
It rolled on pretty watery and you had to wait till it got tacky to set the suit. If the product was real fresh the layer of
glue was very thin. It's okay but I found that it didn't set the suit very well and for very long. And if it was an older
bottle, that little ball isn't going to budge. And the girls now glut the whole back down now.
Another problem if you haven't figured this out yet. Does your suit for the morning show (pre-lims) fit snugger than
the night show? After gluing the suit in the morning the product has gotten into the fibers. When you put it on for
the night show your suit is not contracting anymore and of course not fitting right. And the more you stretch it only
gets wider? The characteristics of the fabric has been compromised. Stretch meaning it expands and contracts. It
no longer contracts.
Look girls, you've worked too long and come too far not to do this right. I've done a lot of costumes and you pay the
price. I've invested myself into them also. And when I see a suit after a show, I want to cry. So lets do this right. I
know some of you have as many as a dozen competition suits and that is a hefty investment.
I've done a lot of costumes over the years for stage and theatre. Some of these costumes get worn 2-3 times a day
7 days a week, and that's a lot of work for the wardrobe person 24/7 for 4-8 minutes average per stage time. She
takes the time to care for these costumes and you should too. It's your investment.
After experimenting on several of my clients and my inventory and the product itself, I found a way to do this better.
This is the process:
Take the roll on Bikini bite and drill two holes in it close to the top. Squeeze the product into a glass jar (I used a
baby food jar...) I'll squeeze out a third of it per show. Tape the holes after so you can use it again for the next
show you do. If its a new bottle it's really runny. There's enough air in the glass jar to let it thicken. I also have an
eyeliner pencil (you can blend the pencil after or wipe it away after) and a paint bush preferably flat and 1/4" wide.
Set the suit where it should be and draw a line right next to the edge of the suit. Pull the suit away from that line.
Any product under the suit (Oil, Dream tan, paint, pam) wipe the area that you are gluing so that you have a dry
surface to glue to. Take the brush and the glue, paint a line next to the eyeliner line you just drew. If the product is
thin apply another so that you build a thicker layer. The product should be thicker and tacky. Do this on both sides.
You kind of have to be quick at this, paying attention to the glues tackiness and thickness. When you have
achieved this lay the suit on this line. You don't put any product anywhere else your on your bum. Your suit should
retain the same elasticity for your night show and minimal damage to the suit. The area where the elastic is, is
turned and more protected by the serging thread and fabric, and is adhered. Make sense? And it I've done my job
that bottom should fit you perfectly and feel more comfortable.
It takes a little more time initially but it's worth it. And if you have to change into another suit, just reapply the glue
like before right on that line.
Girls...and guys learn to do this yourself on another person. If you all knew how to do this, help each other. Some
of these shows they won't allow your helper backstage. And the helpers they have, observe them first before you let
them touch you. Some of them are out of control with the glue.
Regarding the brush. At the show after you use it, wipe off excessive glue with a paper napkin.... (put that on the list
to bring). Also bring a small tube of lotion. Put a little on the brush and leave it. It helps to work the glue out in the
brush later (it's not too oily) and store it in a ziploc. In between show work the glue out and wash it with soap and
water. You need to use a clean brush for the night show. And don't forget to cover the glue jar so it doesn't harden.
Okay, that gluing 101 according to Renee.
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