Monday, 16 March 2015

On Being a Model

Hey Ragers and Ragettes!!  It’s Monday and I have a case of the Monday blues!!!  My past weekend was a whirlwind of getting ready for the competition and the actual competition.  I usually like a quiet weekend because I can get my chill on.  Work is demanding and a girl needs some down time!

The competition was an insanely fabulous experience.  For starters, it took my hairdresser 7 hours to get the colour right in my hair!!  I went in on Friday and Saturday as the violet that he put in my hair on the Friday didn't take the way he wanted it to.


On the Sunday, my nail technician came to the apartment to do my makeup at 7am. It was very striking.  She put red glitter on my eyelids and did a smokey look.  My lips were red and my complexion looked flawless.  I was pleased with the makeup. 

My hairdresser opted for 3 hair models (me, his assistant Lewis and his other assistant Alison) and we would be featured in 3 different categories.  I was first up for the ladies cut and blow dry category, Lewis was up for the Gents cut and blow dry and Alison, who’s whole head was in hair rollers, was up for the colour category.  I decided to rock my black jumpsuit with gold accessories and my 5 inch gold stiletto sandals as he put a gold slice in my hair that was striking for the actual competition.  I showed up in my bootcut jeans, cowboy boots, vest and blazer.

I was due to go on at 1:30, Lewis was due to go on at 3:15 and Alison was due on 3:45. 

We were sitting on the side lines at the competition watching the other categories compete.  I noticed one thing.  At the end of each competition the models struck poses.  I didn’t know that I had to pose!!  I said to Lewis, do I have to pose?

He said, yes.  At the end of the category you need to pose and hold it for the judges and then they invite the people to come in and photograph you.  So you need to hold it for about 10 minutes.

I had no idea what sort of pose I should hold.  I messaged Suzanne.  She would know!!   She said that I should look over my shoulder.  Hmmmmm....

At 1:15, I started to look for Ali so we could get a strategy.  I couldn’t find him.  Then I heard “Could the competitors for the Ladies Cut and Blow Dry Category please go to the competition area.”  No Ali!!!

I looked at my watch.  Maybe they are just setting up.  Lewis, Alison and I were looking for him.  Lewis called his mobile and Ali’s bag started ringing.  He didn’t bring his phone with him!!!!!!!!   We panicked especially when the announcer put out a call for him and me to enter the competition floor. 

Then the competition started.....without Ali!!!!  I looked at my watch.  It was 1:20. They started teh competition 10 minutes early!!!!

All of a sudden Ali ran over to me grabbed my arm and his bag and we entered the competition and plead with the officials.  They let us in.

I sat down at the table, Ali, put the hairdressing gown on me and grabbed his spray bottle and started spraying my hair and started cutting.  He wasn’t panicked at all.  I was though.  I didn’t know what to do.  I looked around me and saw the other models just staring forward like mannequins.   So I took a breath and followed suit.  Ali forget to bring the mirror in the rush so I couldn’t see what he was doing. 

I saw Alison with the camera filming and taking photos.  I cracked a smile.  Ali was in full relax mode.

The time in the category was 40 minutes and there was 8 of us in total competing.  When it got to 5 minutes left, Ali was spraying and finishing up.  Almost time for the pose.  Ali put his hand on my shoulder said, done.  And took the hairdressing gown off me.  He packed up and the official called time.

I had to strike a pose.  So I thought of Suzanne and looked over my shoulder while sitting sideways with my legs in a straight line out.  Kind of a goddess lounging look.  I struck the pose and kept a resting bitch face. 

The judges came around and started looking at our hair,  The girl next to me had a hideous hair cut.  The colour was a gorgeous turquoise colour but the hair cut.....dreadful.  Basically the hairdresser looked like she put a bowl on her head, shaved around it and then spiked up the rest of it.  She looked like a troll doll.  Her outfit was amazing though.  A yellow dress with red accessories.  (You know me and block colours!!!)

The judges pretty much got right into my face, they looked that the back, the front, and were scribbling furiously.  

All of a sudden, I got an itch on my back.  I really needed to scratch it!!!  I sat there with my resting bitch face trying not to think about it. 

Then the official announced, if anyone wants to take photos of the competitors please feel free to do so.  Shit!!  At least another 5 minutes of holding my pose!  People were coming up to me and taking photos of me.  The things is I didn’t see the cut or style that Ali did so I didn’t know what I looked like!!!  I concentrated on my breathing and then the official said, models may get up and leave the competition area.

I breathed a sigh of relief.  I got up and exited the competition area.  Lewis and Alison both gave me a massive hug.  I need a cigarette and a drink I said.  I then grabbed a mirror and saw what Ali had done.  He gave me an 80’s inspired “disco” look.  Big fringe, spikey and funky as hell!!!  With the makeup it worked so well. 

They both laughed and we went out for a smoke.   We then went to the bar and I ordered a bottle of rosé for the 3 of us.  The bartender gave us plastic cups and decantered the bottle into the 3 cups.

I felt bad because I made a pact to not drink for the month of March.   But after the stress of the last hour, fuck that shit!!!!!  So I had 1 cheeky glass of wine. 

We finished our wine and went back to the competition area.  Ali was looking at the game plan for the next 2 competitions.  We then realised that there was a slight issue.

The gents hair competition was 40 minutes and it started at 3:15.  The colour competition was on at 3:45 and that was for 40 minutes.  That means that Ali had to be in 2 places at once....oh shit.

So we asked the one of the officials for help.  They said that Ali could have a helper to take out Alison’s rollers.  And as Lewis was int eh actual competition, that means that it was down to me to take out Alison’s rollers.

Now taking rollers out of long hair isn’t as easy as you think.  There is a technique to it.  Plus when Lewis put the rollers in, he clipped them in tight with 2 bobby pins.  I had to unpin the roller and unroll it carefully all the way to the end and watch which way the curl went and make sure that the curls all go the same way. 

So Lewis and Ali were called to teh gents hair cut and blow dry category competition.  Alison and I stood in the wings getting a plan of attack on how to get her hair sorted. 

Ali was cutting Lewis’s hair with ease.  Then it came time.  Alison and I entered the competition ring and I stood behind her waiting for the official start. 

When the official said start, I started to unpin Alison’s hair.  Lewis really put the rollers in tightly.  I was doing my best to not hurt Alison and not break a nail!  Alison was a sport.  They were jammed in so tight.  I breathed a sigh of relief when Ali finished with Lewis and we both worked on getting the rollers out as quickly and as painlessly as possible.  We finally did it and I took the bag of rollers and left the competition arena. 

I decided to go to the bathroom to change as running in my stilettos was proving to be dangerous.  Ali finished Alison’s hair in record time.  He styled it into a 1960’s inspired bouffant.  Fabulous. 

When that competition was over, Lewis and Alison joined us and we watched the rest of the categories. 

I felt drained.  I checked my watch and it was 4:30.  I realized that I hadn’t eaten all day!!!!  I was starving!!!!

Then the time for the awards ceremony came up.  To summarize, we didn’t place in teh top 3, but the girl with the dreadful haircut got third.  When they went to get their award, Lewis, Alison and I at the same time were like What the fuck?

When they finished the awards they posted up the rankings.  I placed 5th out of 8th.  Lewis placed 5th out of 12 and Alison placed 4th out of 8.   At least we didn’t place last!

On the way home we discussed what was going to happen next time.  Ali wants to use me as his model for next year but we are going to plan it a bit better. 

When I finally got home, Simon cuddled me.  My phone ran out of battery and he had left me a few messages with a lot of texts.  He kissed me and held me.  I was tired, hungry  and needed an early night.

It was a fab experience.  Being fussed over was great.  I have styled my hair this morning into a cute pixie crop and Ali is going to recolour it.

But it was tiring.  No wonder models look miserable.  I mean all that running around and no time to eat?  God, I would be a cranky bitch too!!  I’ll definitely help Ali out again. 

So it has been a bit of a come down today.  But I can get back into my routine again.  Betty Rage loves a routine and I am so happy because I have an uninterrupted next few weeks.  I can’t wait to get back into my yoga and such. I have some fitness goals that I want to achieve and that will happen with good food, intense workouts and good quality sleep.  

So until next time Ragers and Ragettes, keep your head and standards high and your heels even higher!

Lots of Love


The Fabulous Betty Rage xxxxx

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