Every so often in life you stumble upon an incredibly lucky moment and my time has come. I was picked to judge the 2008 Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam. This is the trip of a lifetime to a most exotic destination. I felt like I had won the lottery, that I had been given a chance to become part of a grand world tradition. I think one of the first times I got to stay up late was with my Mom and Dad to watch the Miss Universe Pageant. I remember us all sitting around the television with popcorn in hand, cheering for our favorite picks. These nostalgic moments added to the excitement of today's adventure. There I was... jetting to Tokyo, then Ho Chi Minh City, and finally to Nha Trang, where the Miss Universe Competition took place. I was truly living a dream.

As we flew over the Northern Atlantic and I looked down at the cold seas, I thought about the pressure the contestants must be feeling. Every insecurity must be peaking. I mean, can you begin to imagine the sundry thoughts these woman must be having? I would guess their internal conversations would include everything from "Is my hair right?" "Is my lipstick still on?" and "Do I look bloated?" to "Am I stuttering?" and "Do I sound well informed?"

I instantly realized these thoughts are not exclusive to Miss Universe contestants. These are universal issues women deal with every day. The modern woman holds herself to a very high bar. Her goals are to be educated, involved in her community, fit, stylish and as attractive as possible. This sounds like the mantra of the Miss Universe contestants. Maybe the Miss Universe Contest is more relevant to today's women than ever before.

Since my friends found out that I was picked as a judge of the pageant, they've bombarded me with questions. Are you going to vote for a blonde or a brunette? Will you be looking for someone model thin or a more voluptuous body? Is height important? Does the way she styles her hair make a difference? The fact of the matter is that I look ed for the woman who made the best presentation. The woman who had an edge that separated her from all the others. She would possess an innate intelligence that would be obvious with her every move and her every word.  Contemporary beauty is more than the externals. Beauty is an inside and an outside job. Beauty is no longer the privilege of a select few. Beauty belongs to every woman who is willing to work for it.

Having said true beauty is an inside job, I know what you're thinking: "Fine Louis, but what are some insider's tips to look as beautiful as the contestants?" Here are few of my favorite tips.