This is a little off topic, but it has to be one of my best stories of all time. It makes for a great laugh and it is relatable. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to put my heart into it and strive to perform with the best. I’m extremely competitive and I love winning. This fall, I entered my first hair styling competition at Premier Birmingham. This is how I came home a winner without a trophy.
After a successful trial run with my live model, Shelby, we picked up some jewelry at Burlington and headed to Birmingham Saturday night. I was satisfied with the updo and her makeup was nearly perfect. We didn’t like the lashes, so we planned to grab some at the show before the competition along with a new can of hairspray. We woke up Sunday morning excited about the day, made plans to grab breakfast & head over to the convention center to check-in and grab the few things we needed before the competition at 3:00 p.m. We opted to wear naked faces that morning since we’d want our makeup to be fresh for the competition. There was plenty of time to hit the show, grab lunch, and return to the hotel to prep.
When we approached the check-in desk, Shelby says to me “The competition is at 11? Did they change the time?” I look over at the banner hanging to our side and my heart hit the floor. I had mixed up the time for our competition with the other category following the one I was entering. It was 10 a.m.!!! As we’re signing in, the registrar instructs us to be back by 10:30 a.m. since orientation was at 10:45 a.m. Ma’am, there is no way we can be here at 10:30 because we have to go back to our hotel. She insisted we return no later than 10:45. It’s a 30 minute round-trip drive to the hotel counting on a smooth traffic flow and no wrong turns. That gave us a 15 minute buffer to run the quarter mile to the parking deck, get to our room, grab our stuff and make the sprint back into the expo. It would be close, be we decided to go for it. I snatched my competitor badge from her and we took off running.
We pulled into the hotel’s curbside parking and ran to the elevator. Any trip up or down the elevator had been immediate each time before, but this had to be the exception and cost us several minutes. That’s not an exaggeration for dramatic effect. We’re greeted by a guest in the elevator, who had just wrapped up an entire conversation with hotel staff before entering – I’m not even exaggerating the wait, who asked how our morning was going. Well sir, we have 20 minutes to return to the convention center for a competition or we’ll be disqualified. He wished us good luck as we bolted out of the elevator yelling “Excuse me!” flying by other hotel guest heading to our room. I dumped my suitcase in the floor, threw all my hair supplies in it, and changed my outfit while Shelby gathered her ensemble and repacked the case of makeup. We took off again running through the hotel with our bags in tow.
In the car, I’m catching my breath bobbing through traffic while Shelby is working on her makeup. Airbrush foundation was obviously not going to happen, so Shelby improvised by applying corrector cream that typically goes under the airbrush foundation. As she finishes her eye makeup we realize we have no mascara, eyeliner or false lashes. I look at the clock, 10:40! No time for pit stops. Shelby hops in the back seat and slips on the gown. After getting detoured by a one-way street, we finally swing my full size SUV into the narrow parking deck and squeeze it into an extra small space. So small Shelby cannot even get out of the passenger side and has to climb over. We grabbed our bags and took off running again. As I’m running through the enclosed breezeways into the convention center people are yelling “Congratulations!,” “Don’t do it!,” and “Hurry to the chapel!” to Shelby who is up ahead of me in an unzipped wedding gown and bright yellow CP3O socks. My quads are burning, I’m out of breath panting “I can’t do it. We’re not going to make it.” Shelby says “We’re almost there, We can make it.” We slowed to a speed walk to catch our breath and took off running again crying about how out of shape we are. As we pass convention staff they’re yelling “Run!!! It’s starting any minute.” Thank you so much for cheering us on, but we’re still dying over here.
As we enter the exhibit hall and near the stage I realize the entirety of my bra is literally exposed and resting on top of my shirt! OMGosh! I’m pulling my top up and shaking the girls into it as I’m searching for an attendant or stage entry. Neither are in sight. Mind you, Shelby is still holding the unzipped wedding dress in place against her chest. I just hopped up on stage from the audience, marched over to the registrar and asked where my assigned chair was. She seemed rattled and unsure of her response, but I’m confident my demeanor only afforded her the option to direct me to a chair. “Here will be fine.” as she pointed to the center stage table next to the judges. Great! We’re over here solo while the other contestants are staggered at tables on each side of the stage. In a panic, I threw my suitcase onto the table and wildly began unloading it. I say wildly because a brush and can of hairspray went flying out of a bag, over the table and into another contestant who very kindly returned it to me. Attention everyone! Lucy & Ethel have arrived. Shelby says “It’s okay. We made it. Just unload your stuff. It hasn’t started yet. You’ve got this. Don’t forget my dress is still undone.” I took a deep breath and finished unloading my supplies in a more controlled fashion.
I’m wearing no makeup, my hair was now unstyled, my face is flush, my breathing is labored, and sweat is glistening all over my face as I stand in front of a rather large audience of peers. Whether or not my bra made it back into my shirt is still in question and I’m praying it did. Almost immediately after the commentator gave the okay to start the competition one of the judges approaches me. She ask for my contestant number and begins to take notes as her eyes scan the table covered in supplies & my suitcase thrown on top. Right then, I had a stateboard flashback. My eyes immediately focused in on the other contestants’ tidy work areas the size of a hand towel on shared tables. Crap! Probably a rule explained in the orientation I missed. I stop the updo and throw everything unessential in the suitcase and tuck it under the table. The entirety of the updo my heart is racing and my hands are trembling. Not from panic, not from stage fright but pure adrenaline. I couldn’t have picked a better model. Shelby continuously offered words of encouragement as I efficiently executed the updo. I was done and had 10 minutes to spare out of the 40 minute window. Shelby suggested I focus on the details so I spent another 5 minutes perfecting what I could. The chignon needed more attention, but you can’t tweak the foundation of an updo without damaging the dressing. So I spent the final moments discreetly trying to zip up the back of Shelby’s dress, putting on her jewelry and shoes.
Each model did a short cat walk and awards were given to three fellow contestants. I didn’t bring home a trophy, but I came home a winner. My updo was beautiful, I stepped out of my element performing in front of others on stage, and I beat the hell out of some obstacles. I’m really proud to have set an example of perseverance that I hope will encourage and inspire my children throughout their life.
I’ve also gained a cherished friend. Shelby was an acquaintance who graciously volunteered her time, offered me continuous encouragement and consistently dedicated herself to my success. I’m truly blessed to have shared this experience with her and fortunate to know her.
P.S., in all of the pandemonium I neglected to take photos until after Shelby had changed out of the dress. Sorry you aren’t able to really see the finished styled.
#keune #hairshow #premierebirmgham #laughoutloud #relatable