Good Afternoon DB Readers! Happy Monday Monday! For all our prom girls out there… check out a New Jersey native who is one of the top 10 finalists for our Prom Style Stars contest!
National Park’s Jessica Barr is a top 10 finalist in David’s Bridal Prom Style Stars contest
When 17-year-old Jessica Barr of National Park was browsing online for the perfect prom dress, she had no idea her search would lead her to a second place spot in the David’s Bridal Prom Style Stars contest.
“I’ve always loved David’s Bridal,” Barr said. “The dresses, the accessories, the styles are great.”
While on the bridal shop’s website, she clicked on the Prom Style Stars contest link and thought it would be fun to enter.
“I had to enter a five-minute video on prom tips,” she said. “I’ve never done anything like that before, but it was really fun.”
Noelle Landolt, online marketing manager for David’s Bridal, said once all the submissions were approved, the videos went online for viewers to vote for their favorites.
“There were a wide range of videos from prom planning to getting the perfect prom look,” Landolt said.
After the public-vote period, a panel of David’s Bridal judges chose their top-10 favorites from the 20 highest vote-getters.
“The top 10 videos were selected based on quality of the video and originality,” Landolt said.
Aside from Barr’s ability to create a quality video which presented the content in a creative way, Landolt said she offered practical advice and presented it in a helpful way that teenage girls can relate to.
“And we loved her original and empowering message that beauty comes from within,” she said.
Barr, who is a senior at Gloucester County Institute of Technology where she is studying cosmetology, has been interested in makeup since she was just a toddler.
“When I was 2 years old, I went into my grandmom’s bathroom and got into her makeup,” Barr said. “When I walked out, everyone said I looked just like Grandmom.”
After she decided to enter the David’s Bridal contest, she partnered with her cousin, Emily Pitts of Mickleton, who shot the video with her own video camera.
“I loved doing the tutorials and to see the comments from people really meant a lot, so I thought, ‘Maybe I should do this more,’” Barr said.
Landolt said after Barr’s and the other nine videos were named the Top 10 Finalists, each finalist was required to send in two more videos and three blog entries about prom preparation.
These additional videos and written submissions will be judged to pick the grand prize winner which will be announced on April 29.
“This time there is no fan voting, and the winner will get $10,000,” Landolt said.
Barr’s initial video features tips about makeup, hair, choosing a dress and having fun.
“First things first, you’ll look pretty no matter what,” Barr said about choosing a dress. “If you do have a strapless dress, make sure you use invisible straps. You don’t want to go through the whole entire night lifting up your dress and fixing it all night. That’s just a pain in the butt. And if you do end up using a short dress, keep it classy. You don’t want to go around flashing people.”
After giving more tips about choosing a date and being confident, Barr gives her final tip, telling viewers to always remember, “you’re beautiful no matter what.”
To see Barr’s videos, read her blog entries and find out if she wins the grand prize on April 29, visit www.davidsprom.com.
