Pinup Tips & Tricks

There are different styles of Pinup. Do what works best for you, or put your own style flare to it and mix and match. The following articles detail it out well, or you can see cliff notes below:

PunkabillyClothing.com/Differences 

VintageModernQuilts.com/Differences  

• Classic True to the Era: Period correct classy clothing (1940’s-1950’s) paired with same period accessories. Strong brows, a defined lash line, and red lips were common. 
• Cheese Cake: More innocent, silly, and cute. The classic innocently surprised your dress got caught in the oven again. 
• Man Eater: Confidently sexy, strong, and bold
• Rockabilly: Rockabilly is Pinup’s younger, less classy sister. (Don’t get offended, I love it). Rockabilly is Pinup girl gone alternative, or where Punk Rocker’s retire to. It marries old-school and modern styles together. Rockabilly clothing usually takes its form in classic prints such as: flannel, cherries, skulls and crossbones, and polka dots.
• Psychobilly: Psychobilly builds on Rockabilly with an edgier flare. More alternative hair colors and piercings are common. 
• Etc. ….. 

While a Pinup name is not a must, most use a pseudo stage name to represent their “character”. It is kind of fun to have a second persona to associate your new found confidence with. A Pinup name should be creative, original, and they should complement the personality of the Pinup they represent. Reference the following site for additional tips and common names to avoid.  PinupRegistry.com  

• Where did Nitta Nitro come from? I am REALLY into cars and racing. I grew up going to NHRA drag races, the fuel those cars run on is referred to as nitro. So my little play on words is “I need nitro” / Nitta Nitro

Bios are very commonly used in Pinup contests as a way to playfully get to know the individual. A bio should tell us about yourself; Pinup name, hobbies, interests, fun facts. My favorites play on the Pinup’s name as a way to describe the Pinup. On stage at contests, the playful fun ones seem to be a hit. When participating in a contest, as the bio is being read to the crowd, be playful and flirty / pose for the crowd. Practice a “strut” to go with your bio. Bios can vary in length from a couple sentences, to a paragraph or two. I try to maintain a long and a short bio to cater to the particular event. 

• Miss Nitta Nitro has a child’s obsession with tricycles and wagons, but cammy automobiles get her motor running! Much like the fuel in her name suggests, this spark plug can be found pushing pedals at the racetrack and turning wrenches and heads in the pits. She loves all things automotive, the older the better! Most dames have a different purse for every day of the week, but Miss Nitro has a different truck for every day of the week! When this human dynamo is not in the garage, she is a crafty do it your-selfer.

• While a “winner” is crowned, the best events are filled with participants that support and uplift others around them. I am going to try and start substituting the phrase “Pinup Contest” with “Pinup Stage Show”. Most Pinup contests are held in conjunction with a larger event. I like to think of it as an excuse to get dolled up and be a part of the crowd entertainment.
• The biggest tip I can provide is to Be yourself and have fun with it. I can’t say that I don’t get nervous, but remember it’s just for fun! Playing with the crowd goes a long way since the events are supposed to be entertaining to the crowd.
• It is important to review the judging criteria to know what the event is looking for from style and era, possible theme, to judging criteria and what may be expected of participants on stage. 
• For contests / stage shows, wear something to stand out, try to be unique; use the stage; show your personality; it’s a visual story to tell
• Network: If you are going to a new event and want to get an idea of what to expect, reach out and ask others who have attended. The following Facebook Groups are great resources to connect with other Pinups and Photographers. 
  • Heartland Pin-ups
  • Dames of DSM
• If an event is very vague and you cannot find information on it, come prepared with your bio and some fun facts handy in your phone or on a note card. Sometimes you may be asked to write your bio on a paper or note card when you get to the event.
• Common event rounds include Bios, Questions, and Posing
  • A lot of events will provide sample questions in advance, however, some common questions to consider having answers for are:
    • Why should you be Miss Middle of the Map / contest name?
    • What made you get into the Pinup Style / Lifestyle?
    • Tell us a fun face or something unique about yourself
    • Who is your favorite Pinup and why?
    • Describe your idea of a perfect date
    • Punny questions… if you were a candy bar, what would you be and why? — be playful while showing off your personality
  • Posing
    • Strike those picture poses for the crowd
    • Use the stage and interact
    • Leverage your accessories or props in posing

• Practice posing in a mirror
• Stretch before your shoot
• It may feel funny or uncomfortable, but it makes for good photos
  • Point your toes
  • Make sure both of your limbs are visible
  • Elbows forward
  • Arch your back and pop your butt
• Making vowels with your mouth are optional facial expressions (A,E,I,O,U)
• Get plenty of sleep the night before and drink lots of water
• To avoid forehead wrinkles, you can turn your face to move eyes 
• You can use your arm to force more cleavage
• When not looking at the camera, think of your eyes as looking at clock times 2, 5, 7 
• Work with / ask your photographer if they want longer poses or more fluid movements
• Consider posing with props that accompany your theme 
• $250 is an average photoshoot cost 
• If getting your hair styled, dirty, but not greasy with no product is best
• If getting your makeup done, a clean washed face is best. If you have a normal foundation, bring it in case. 
• Neutral finger nail colors tend to look best, don't forget your toes

• It does take practice. When I first started, I practiced pinning victory rolls on lazy days at home to get an idea of what works best for my hair prior to an event.
• My biggest tip is while curling your hair, bobby pin the curls to cool before letting the curls hang down. They hold a better shape and allow me to use less hair spray.  
  • If time allows, I curl and bobby pin my hair the night before to save time in the morning and add plenty of cooling time
• Be conscious of your curling direction based on where you are wanting the curl to land
  • Curl up for pieces that will go up in a victory roll
  • Curling over, or down, can help add volume for pieces that will hang down
• A teasing comb adds volume and helps victory rolls stick together. Tease in slow movements in one direction.
  • I tend to spray the root of the curl with a volumizer spray, then tease
• Curl, Pin, WAIT …. Then when taking bobby pins out, take each out one at a time. If teasing, tease each one at a time as taking the bobby pin out.
• Smooth back fly aways with pomade
• Victory Roll Tips:
  • Dirty, but not greasy
  • Use heat protection spray
  • Part hair according to how you want rolls
  • Curling direction is important
  • Curl roll section first
    • Pin the curls
    • Light coat of hair spray
    • Let curls cool
  • This is when I usually do my makeup
  • Start with roll section
  • Let curls down one at a time
    • Use volume / texture spray or dry shampoo
    • Tease 
    • (Repeat on next curl)
  • Gather section
    • Prop roots up, hair spray
    • Gently combine to one swirl
    • Slowly coil starting at end of hair
    • Once formed, pin (try to hide pins)
    • If doing 2 rolls, I wait to hair spray
    • (Repeat for other roll)
  • Hair spray to set
  • Let down the other curls
    • Leave, loosen, brush out, form to preference, then use hair spray
  • If there is a spot you don't like, hide it with a hair flower

• Use a primer before foundation and eye shadow
• Leverage tape or paper for even lines
• Curl eyelashes before mascara
• Do all the eye makeup before putting lashes on
• I have used eyeshadow to make a unique lip color when I didn’t have the shade in lipstick. If it is safe for your face, you should be able to use the product for whatever you need. I only recommend double checking the product is safe for your eyes before putting it around them; most makeup products are safe for eyes, but it doesn’t hurt to check. 
• If you do not have a makeup sealer, hair spray can be used
• Clean your makeup brushes frequently; brushes can be cleaned with moisturizing shampoo
• Use what products work best for your skin. Below are some cost effective options recommended by Des Moines’ lovely Amberly Dal:
  • Makeup Remover/Wipes
    • Neutrogena ($5-$7 at Walgreens, Target, Walmart)
    • Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water ($11-$15 at Walgreens and Target)
  • Moisturizer and Primer: Neither are necessary but are beneficial in protecting your skin from makeup getting stuck in your pores.
  • Foundation
    • Liquids: Maybelline 30H Liquid Foundation ($10 at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Hyvee) 
    • Powders: CoverGirl Matte Pressed Powder ($6-$15 at Target, Walgreens, and Walmart)
  • Concealer: Tartre Shape Concealer ($15-$30 at Ulta, Walmart, Target)
  • Contour: Use a cool toned brown or any light brown eyeshadow or bronzer works for an easy contour.
  • Blush: Sephora brand of blushes powder formula has a color for every skin tone ($10 at Sephora)
  • Setting Powder: E.l.f. Perfect Finish HD Powder ($5-$10 at Ulta, Target, Walmart). You may also use powdered foundation as a setting powder, but a lighter powder is best for setting on top of wet foundation to avoid a cakey look.
  • Eyebrows: Any of the "Anastasia Beverly Hills" brow products
  • Eyeshadow Primer: Not a necessary item for every look. Amberly prefers setting her eyelids with eyeshadow primer before putting on eye shadow. This helps the eyeshadow to grip to the eyelid for a longer lasting and vibrant look. Concealer can also work for this.
  • Eyeliner: 
    • NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eyeliner ($10 at Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart, and Target) 
    • Revlon Color Stay Sharp Line ($10 at Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart, and Target)
  • Eyelash Glue: Only needed if you plan on wearing fake eyelashes. Lash Couture Super Strong in clear ($5 at Target, Sally's Beauty, Ulta, and Walgreens)
  • Fake Eyelashes: Any brand will work, and it's not necessary to spend more than $10 on a pair
  • Mascara: Maybelline Mascara ($10-$15 at any major store) *Any drugstore mascara will do! It's best to use regular and only use waterproof as needed.
  • Highlighter: E.l.f. Highlighters - choose any color ($5 - $10 at Target, Walmart, Walgreens); gold/bronze for deeper skin tones and pearl/soft tans for lighter skin tones
  • Lipstick: KVD Beauty ($10 - $30 at Ulta and Sephora). Consider a sugar scrub beforehand
  • Setting Spray: NYX Setting Spray ($5 at Target, Walmart, and Walgreens). The Morphe Setting Spray is NOT recommended, as it tends to be sticky when it dries.