Backwards countdown to show:

You will typically paint for three days in a row for a show. At least two for events unless you have a dark base. Waxing is highly recommended for as many areas as you can stand. This makes the paint less blotchy. Shaving, or hair remover products like nair work too.

1. Count backwards approximately 10-14 days before day one of your painting calendar. (which is 3 days before your show.) 10 days is the minimum amount of days to grow hair for waxing.

** Do not start painting on the same day you get waxed, or after use of hair removal cremes. Skin needs a day to recover. Booth after waxing to re-tan waxed areas. Use hair remover or shave on any other areas you want smooth. (arms, chest, back, upper legs, butt!). Remember, the smoother your skin, the better your definition shows.

2. Start booth tanning for your base. The darker you start out, the more even your paint job will be with less effort. Tan 2-3 weeks getting in about 10-12 sessions total. Do not burn! Start slowly if needed. Peeling skin is difficult to paint over and hide.

** Women, and men who care: do not tan your face! Use self-bronzer.

3. Start exfoliating 4-5 days before day one of your painting calendar. Soak in tub until skin gets a little wrinkly. Use the jan tana body-scrub product. Scrub hard! Everywhere. Take a quick rinse in shower afterwards. Dry off and moisturize. Do this everyday until you paint. This is very important! Do not skip body parts. Be thorough. After you start your painting process, no more exfoliating. The only exception is if you are trying to fix or blend in a blotchy or rough spot.

4. If you choose to shave, only shave before your first coat of paint and, if you must, before last coat. During initial shave, shave as lightly as possible only where necessary. Remember to rinse in cold water afterwards.

** Do not shave everyday during the painting process. After shaving always rinse or stand under as cold of water as you can to close your pores. If you forget, you might get little dark black dots in your pores. Bad.

The Last 14 Days

Day What To Do 14 Days before show - grow hair for wax - booth - moisturize 13 12 11 10 Days before show - last chance to grow for wax - booth - moisturize 9 8 Start exfoliating (face included) grow hair - booth 7 6 5 4 Days before show - wax - booth after - nair other body parts you plan to. Gentle exfoliation over waxed areas. 3 Days before show - thorough shave - cold rinse - dry off - paint! 2 Days before show - no shaving - cold rinse, soap only if needed - dry - paint - let dry - sleep. In am quick rinse - dry - moisturize - apply face bronzer. 1 Day before show - light shave if necessary - cold rinse - dry off - paint - let dry - moisturize - apply face bronzer. Sparkles are optional! ** On the first coat, do not worry if it's not perfect. Do not over-blend; you will only rub it off. Just make sure you get it everywhere. No missed spots. Let dry - sleep. In am quick thorough rinse - towel dry - moisturize - apply face bronzer. Tips 1. If your show is more than 1 day, evaluate your color. Paint again the night before if necessary using the same procedure. 2. Paint everywhere! Use a full length mirror. Lift up, lean over, bend, turn, straddle! Remember, the judges are below you looking up and under. 3. Always wear gloves. Wear glove on one hand at a time. Wearing glove on right hand, paint all you can reach and also paint left hand. Never paint palms. Let left hand dry. Transfer glove to left hand and do other half of your body and right hand. 4. Go easy on the ankles, toes, knees, elbows and underarms. If they don't need more paint the second or third time, then stop painting them. Blend around. 5. Never use paint on face. Use a face bronzer. 6. Avoid using creme hair removers on any broken skin. Floor and rug burns from routines included. 7. You should never be painting the morning of your show if you can help it. You have enough to do. 8. Buy extra-dark foundation. Get the budgeproof. Make sure it's dark enough or you will look funny. Bad. You need your own stage make-up. Do not rely on anyone else. Put a stage makeup kit together. Your everyday makeup won't cut it. 9. You can save your costumes, and outfits if you use the paint at night, rinse in the morning method. Otherwise, they get trashed. 10. If your clothes are light or white and get stained with product, as a last result use rit color remover on the stove top. Warning! All color will be removed. 11. After the show or event: wear dark clothing or stuff you don't care about for one more week. 12. Walk and stand with confidence! You look spectacular! Note To People Of Darker Complexions: Figure competitor mimi boman (overall at two figure shows) is of dominican/african descendent. She still adds a diluted coat of color when needed. She pours jan tana into a dish and adds equal parts of water, dips a washcloth into the mixture and smoothes it on. Some are extremely blessed by the complexion gods and don't need any color, but don't hesitate to use a body bronzer if there are areas that need blending. Either way, you should still exfoliate to create a healthy, polished gleam. Favorite product line-up: Brenda Kelly: Sun ultra dark lotion for photoshoots. Jan tana "show tan" for darker looks. Lanc?face bronzer. Elaine Goodlad: Pro Tan for figure shows. Sun laboratories "faces". Lena Johannesen: Ban de solei dark crè­¥. Andreas chaling spray. Clarions face bronzer. Cynthia Bridges: Pro Tan, Dermablend face bronzer. Think of yourself as a luxury car before the all-important paintjob. The quality of prep work directly relates to the finished product. This is also true for your own color presentation. Shabby prep will get you shabby results. Prep with the works to get eye-catching results every time. Thanks, Divabrendakelly@aol.com Visitor Reviews Of This Article! Read Visitor Reviews - Write Your Own Review Back To Brenda Kelly's Main Page Back To The Articles Main Page. Related Articles Detailed Competition Prep Info! Beware Of Overdoing It: The Pitfalls Of Pre-Contest Diet And Training! Precontest Pics! Back To Top