If you're new to beauty pageants, you might not realize all the different types of pageants. There are glitzy pageants, natural pageants, semi-glitz pageants, face pageants, online pageants, online photo contests, scholarship pageants, and coed pageants. Each type of pageant has its own rules and guidelines. And then there are the unwritten rules that you must know in order to be successful.

Below is a description of each major type of pageant, along with a few suggestions for each:

Glitz, glitzy, or full glitz pageant. These are the "everything goes" pageants. Contestants - even young ones - wear hair pieces, wigs or wiglets, full makeup, and flippers. Flippers are fake teeth that make the contestant appear to have perfect, dazzling white teeth. These contestants don pageant dresses that are super expensive and embellished with hundreds of Swarovski stones. You'll need a color that looks good on the girl and one to catch the judges' attention. The contestants in the older categories wear dresses that do not have so many stones. Almost all the girls in the pageant will have a perfect spray tan. The dresses in a glitz pageant make up a large percentage of the total score, as do stage presence, personality, and poise. The way the girl walks and acts on stage is important. You'll also need some glitz photos, along with some natural photos. Enter both types. Please note that all these embellishments are not required, and once in a great while, a non-glitz girl can win a glitz pageant, but these are rare instances.

Natural pageants. These are at the other end of the spectrum from the full glitz pageants. In a natural pageant, the girls usually wear simple flowe girl dresses or Sunday school dresses. Some even require the girls to wear jeans and a tee shirt. Makeup is usually not allowed on girls under 6, and even older contestants shoud wear minimal makeup. Hair pieces, wigs, wiglets, and flippers are generally not allowed. Natural pageants are more concerned with natural beauty, and some score personality, poise, and stage presence. The outfit will not be judged.

Semi-glitz pageants. These pageants are basically just a toned-down version of a glitz pageant. The dresses won't be quite as fancy, and the hairdos won't be as big or elaborate.

Face pageants. In a face pageant, the judges are interested only in the contestant's face, usually without makeup, or with light makeup. Personailty is sometimes judged, too. Generally speaking, the contestant is usually called in front of the judges and asked a few simple questions. The stage walk is not usually judged. Model scouting agencies often have scouts at natural pageants, and contracts are sometimes offered to contestants.

Scholarship pageants. These can be glitz, semi-glitz, or natural. With most scholarship pageants, the older contestants must have a platform - a cause they believe in. They must go through an interview and sometimes have to give an onstage speech. They are also usually asked a question on stage.

Co-ed pageants. Thes pageants are for both males and females. Girls and young ladies of all ages may usually enter, but only little boys under 6 are usually allowed

Online pageants and online photo contests. These are fun ways to dabble your feet into the pageant world. Fees are usually small compared with traditional pageants. Most online pageants and photo contests have categories for glitz photos and for natural photos, along with categories for boys and girls and for different age groups.

More pageant tips are offered below.