1. Do you wear makeup for a competition? If so what type of makeup? Something like TV and Stage (Kryolan)?[/FONT]
>> I aslo prefer MAC - you have to do like theater / stage makeup (or at least that level of contrast & drama) to stand out against the dark tan & under the lights. Light makeup will wash you out and bad makeup just looks bad and stands out.
2. The base tan spray is different than that of what normal spray tans are done, how or who selects your color?
>> For 'base' color I do about 3 weeks of tanning booth - I'm very fair-skinned and don't maintain a tan all year round (only when I lived in FL), but I know plenty of women who don't get any tan (w/ consideration to potential of skin cancer) and just get a couple layers of spray-on. "Competition Tan" products are Jan Tana, ProTan and a more recent one, LiquidRayz - all are good. I've used Protan when I did my own tanning but I much prefer paying the moeny for the tanning service offered at the show. Jan Tana does an amazing job - 1 base coat the night before (~ 30 min to spray & dry), sleep in long sleeves to let it dry, and then get a touch up layer before prejudge.
Just like makeup, IMO it is critically important to have a good tan job - it stands out like a sore thumb if you are too light or the coat is splotchy, and also if your coverage isn't even between face & body - then you just look two-toned and the lighter color will wash you out. It can be the difference in a placing if your color is bad. Note judges are also judging on how "prepared" you are for a show -even for newbs, if you have no idea "how" to do a show, it will show and may result in a lower placing. They expect you to be informed. If you have questions, IMO never hesitate to contact your show's promoter and ask your questions or ask to be directe to someone who can answer your questions. No question is dumb because everyone has had the same question at least once. You gotta start somewhere.
3. Your suits, are they custom or do you have a place that you get your costumes designed?
As noted, there are several custom suiit designers as well as you can buy a plain custom suit and stone it yourself if you're crafty. You can also get used suits - either by word of mouth / other competitors, some designers sell used suits, or also check DivaExchange.com or some of the other muscle boards that have a suit exchange forum. If you go w/a custom suit, do your research to get an idea of the designer's reputation - every now & then there is a shady operation - but for the most part, the ones who are out there are very good.
4. Can we hear of what the typical day consists of with your competitions? Pre contest to that of Post contest.
>>Its hard to answer in a sentence or two, but generally your day will go as:
1) get up ultra early to do your hair / makeup / tanning / prepare for the show
2) pack everything you could possibly need or that might get fucked up over the course of the day (you never know when you can leave the venue, if teh schedule changes, you need something or whatever - I make sure I'm completely self-sufficient the whole day. This includes food, spare suit, or shoes if you are using them, makeup, touch up tan (unless you're using the competition service), a towel, oil, toothpaste / toothbrush, water, etc.) and also your federation card & your entry fee already paid, you may need a birth certificate or an ID as well. (All of this info should beon your entry form).
3) Show up for Pre-judge competitors' meeting - this is for weigh-in, class assignement, check-in, instructions.
4) wait for your class to do Prejudge
5) lunch / afternoon break - great time to get a nap in , touch up your posing, your tan, makeup. Sometimes you can sneak in a photoshoot
6) Arrive back for night show
7) When its all over go sit w/ family to watch the rest or go out and enjoy (but don't gorge on food - enjoy the company and the thrill of the show experience- don't fixate on the food)
8) Next day - recover and set your mind to ease back into your regular / maintenance diet instead of diving into the food binge so you can rebound & blow up 20 lb in 5 days
5. At what point can you switch, or can you go from NPC to that of the likes of IFBB or whatever is considered that level, for women?
>> NPC - you can enter any show you meet the qualifications for (e.g .might be state or US citizenship requirement). To compete in a national level (pro-qualifier) show, you need to compete and win or top place in a national-qualifying show. The level of show will be advertised on your entry fee. To win a pro card, you need to win a national show, within the criteria for that specific show (different ones have different pro-card winner criteria)
>> If you win a national qualifier in your category, you are qualified to compete in a national show for the remainder of the current season and the following year. After that you'd need to requalify unless you placed in top 3(or whatever it is) at a national show. Then I believe you're good for the next 1-2 yrs.
6. When did you begin your BBing, at what age?
Lifting = age 15, competitin = age 35
7. Did family make an impact for you to start BBing?
They don't like it in general, but I've never competed when I've lived anywhere near family so they haven't been around for my shows or the gory details of the prep phase.
8. If you could change something with shows, what would that be?
More consistent judging, put the bodybuilders (male & female) AHEAD of the figure & bikini competitors- timing of water manipulation is significantly more important for BBs and being the most depleted of the whole set of competitors, IMO its sick to make them wait around half a day to compete. (This is somethign that has been happening the last year or two as they've introduced Bikini into shows making the judging significantly longer than it was previously.)
I am curious
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I have to attend one some day, for the face to face experience.