The answer depends on which system you are competing in, your budget, and how much of a control freak you are :).
Typically, hair and makeup artists are hired for state and national pageants. If hiring someone, you may need to pay for their travel expenses (airfare, hotel, & meals) in addition to their fees for doing your hair and makeup. This could range from $250- $1000+. It depends on how far the artist has to travel, how long the pageant is, and how many clients they will have during the competition. When the artist has several clients at a pageant, the travel expenses are usually split between the total number of clients, thus bringing down that part of the bill. However, there are other issues that come up when you need to share someone else’s time. If you want a hair and makeup stylist all for yourself, budget for the bigger number.
In my years of experience as a competitor and mother of daughters who competed in pageants, I have found the best choice is to hire stylists who will teach you privately how to apply your own makeup and style your own hair months before the big event. You will need time to practice and perfect the newly learned skills; but, this is well worth the investment.
Besides, as a titleholder, you are not going to have a stylist with you the entire year to do your hair and makeup for your appearances. It is important for all women to learn how to create a polished and professional look on and off the stage. In a short period of time, you will know exactly which techniques work for you and how much time you need to get ready.
The other benefit is you have complete control over the end results and your time. If you are sharing a stylist with others, you will be assigned time slots. That means you may either have to get up super early thus it won’t look fresh during the actual competition; or you could be at the end and the stylist doesn’t have enough time. I have had great experiences with hair and makeup stylists, and nightmare experiences. My advice is the more autonomous you become the less stress you’ll experience and the more relaxed and focused you will be.
Remember the old proverb, “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for one day. If you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” Translated, “you pay to have your hair and makeup done for an event; you look great for the day. You learn how to do it yourself; you look great for a lifetime.” Not all stylists are the same. Find the great ones and learn from them.
