Krystle Clear Pageant Review: 2nd Annual Natural Hair and Health Expo Beauty Pageant

 

A braidout, a high puff, and an updo are just a few of the beautiful hairstyles I witnessed at the 2nd Annual Natural Hair and Health Expo Beauty Pageant that was held on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Alabama. This pageant celebrates women ages 18 and over who have chosen not to chemically relax their hair. The pageant also provides an opportunity to spotlight and recognize women who have committed to embracing their natural texture and a natural lifestyle. This event coincides with the Natural Hair and Health Expo which is a day long event filled with vendors, fashion shows, speakers, workshops, and my favorite segment “The Cut Life Party.”

I had the distinct pleasure of serving as one of the judges for the pageant, and I must say it was an awesome experience. The “Divine Nine,” contestants who were chosen from a preliminary competition that was held on December 3, 2016, graced the stage and exhibited beauty, style, and confidence. The pageant began with the contestants (dressed in purple business chic) performing an opening number routine to “I’m Every Woman” by the late great Whitney Houston. After the opening number concluded, they competed in the following areas:

• Personal Introduction Competition (30 points)
• Gown Competition (20 points)
• Natural Hair Style Competition (30 points)
• Viewer’s Choice/Social Media: Ticket Sales (10 points)
• On Stage Question: Top 5 Contestants (10 points)

Even though all of the ladies did a fabulous job, only one naturalista could walk away with the crown. The following contestants were awarded pageant honors:

Viewer’s Choice/Social Media Winner

Kheri Lusain

Top 5

Nadia Singleton

Kheri Lusain

Adrian Latham

Quinchela Dent-Hess

Keshayla Dickerson

2nd Runner Up

Quinchela Dent-Hess

1st Runner Up

Kheri Lusain

2017 Miss Natural Hair and Health Expo

Adrian Latham

So was this pageant Krystle Clear? Absolutely! The contestants were prepared and they represented the natural hair community with style and grace. The pageant producer, S.T.E.P.S. Event Planning Firm, Incorporated, executed with professionalism and punctuality. I want to thank Mr. Jamahl King and S.T.E.P.S. Event Planning Firm, Incorporated for giving me the opportunity to judge this pageant. I am so honored and humbled to have been given the opportunity to judge alongside an esteemed group of celebrities and industry professionals (see below).

Judge #1: Krystle Bell (Founder/CEO of KrystleBell.com, a pageantry and lifestyle blog)

Judge #2: Sammi Haynes (Editor-In-Chief of Sheen Magazine)

Judge #3: Eva Marcille (America’s Next Top Model 3rd Cycle Winner)

Judge #4: Tahira Joy Wright (Co-Founder of the The Cut Life)

Judge #5: Anthony Lunkins (Design Essentials)

Every judging opportunity gives me a different insight, and I am able to take what I learn to help assist future queens in the pageantry industry.

*All image credits to iPUSH Magazine.