Keeping It Simple

• Girl playing dress-up
  
  Many top-rated hairstyles sported by pageant winners are just as simple as can be. Hairstyles that don't require too much fuss or maintenance--which can be a no-no during time-demanding wardrobe changes--include ponytails, braids and casual updos like French twists. Hairstyles for young girls shouldn't try and make them look grown-up, rather, they should show off the pageant queen's own unique beauty.
  
  You're definitely going to want to avoid any garish, unnatural hair colors for little girls. It will only make it look like she's playing dress-up or trying too hard. Instead, stick to either her natural color or something close to it. The same rule of thumb applies for wigs and hairpieces, too. Rather than trying to make her cart around and maintain an adult-sized mountain of hair, focus on an age-appropriate style that shows off her best features.
  
  

Dressing It Up Some

• Cascading curls
  
  There's nothing wrong with wanting to go for hairstyles that are more fancy than what your little girl normally wears. One of the most important things to keep in mind is leaving enough room in whatever hairstyle you choose for the tiara, should your princess become pageant queen. The following are excellent hairstyles for just this occasion:
  
  1. Cascading curls. Use a curling iron or hair rollers to fashion soft curls in the girl's hair. This works well for hair that is at least shoulder length. You can either leave her hair down and dress it up with different accessories at each wardrobe change, or pull it up in a simple ponytail during the talent competition and go back to the loose curls afterward.
  
  2. An updo. If your future queen doesn't need to change hairstyles while competing, updos can be the perfect touch. You'll want to curl or pin her hair neatly on the crown of the head. If you keep the hair on the top of the head and pulled back far enough, a tiara will fit just fine. Buns at the nape of the neck can make tiaras tilt forward, so just keep that in mind when styling. Also keep comb or brush in hand for any necessary hair repairs during wardrobe changes.
  
  3. In-between styles. Sometimes you might be in the mood for something in-between a full updo and leaving the hair loose. In that case, you can take a ponytail holder and pull back only the top portion of the hair. Take a curler and fashion curls in the back. You can also curl any bangs or wisps you pull out to hang freely in the front or sides. Tiaras fit quite nicely into this type of hairstyle, although you may need to do some small touch-ups during wardrobe changes.
  
  

Ready, Set, Style!

• Karmen Walker (middle) competes in the Southern Celebrity Beauty Pageant in Charleston, West Virginia on TLC's 'Toddlers and Tiaras'
  
  So now that you know what kind of beauty pageant hairstyles work well for girls, don't just sit there. Grab your brush, comb, curling iron and styling products and start experimenting. Find a picture of your favorite type of hairstyle, and go for it. It's always a good idea to practice styles ahead of important competitions to make sure they work well for your little queen-in-waiting. That way, you can avoid a royal catastrophe on the way to the crown.