Jennifer Dupont Malbrough is Louisiana’s only winner of the “Triple Crown” of beauty pageants, having starred as Miss Louisiana Teen USA in 1998, Miss Louisiana USA 2000, Miss Louisiana 2004 and as First Runner-Up at the Miss America 2004 pageant. These days, she and her Big Sexy Hair can be found helping outfit young women for balls, proms and pageants at Tré D, the ladies’ formalwear boutique she and her mother own in Brusly.
What do you spend the most time on: hair, makeup or outfit?
Hair. It’s very curly naturally. I use an enormous round brush to flatten it every morning. First, I towel dry it, then I blow dry it in sections around a brush that’s literally about 8 inches in diameter. I use Rusk products, Big Sexy Hair, root lifter … it only takes about 20 minutes.
Who do you turn to for fashion advice?
My friends and People magazine. When my friends and I go out, we look to each other for advice. They never let me leave without looking my best.
Who is your style icon on the red carpet?
I like a lot of things Jennifer Lopez wears. She rarely has mishaps where people say, “What was she thinking?!” And she’s not afraid to take risks, like me, obviously, with wearing animal print at Miss America.
What’s the unconventional product you recommend girls have on hand for pageants?
Firm Grip! It’s what baseball players use to grip their bats. You find it in athletic stores. The girls spray it on their bottoms so they don’t get wedgies in the swimsuit contests.
How many evening gowns do you own?
Way too many to count. I have a closet at my house, and one or two closets at my parents’ house.
Ever wear them more than once?
I do! My husband’s from Houma, so I’ll wear a gown to Mardi Gras here, then wear it there in front of a whole different group of people.
There’s such a huge collection of gowns in the store …
We rarely keep two of the same dress in-store, and we keep a registry for different events. We won’t send the same dress to the same event. It doesn’t matter whether you spend $150 or $2,000, you don’t want to see someone else in the same dress. We really pride ourselves on that.
What’s your favorite label of gowns you carry in-store?
It’s a toss-up between Jovani or Sherri Hill. For the lower-end, I like Faviana—they copy a lot of Oscar dresses.
What’s “in” this spring?
This year, yellow is such a hot color. They’re also doing a lot of paisley, Picasso-looking and geometric designs. I’ve even seen plaid prom dresses.
What’s the best part of being someone who dresses up women for a living?
The best thing is getting someone in here who is open-minded, who will try anything, so you bring out a bunch of different things and she just keeps putting them on. It’s like playing Barbie dolls. I’m totally reliving my childhood every day.
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Well over 100. They all go with a different outfit!
What’s your biggest splurge when it comes to makeup or hair care?
I have a makeup addiction. My mother created a monster. Years ago, she worked for Mary Kay—she used to find me in her boxes. Other than the bag I use every day, I have two big boxes of makeup at home. I love Sephora. I could spend hours in there.
Do you believe in plastic surgery? Permanent makeup cosmetic tattoos?
I can’t say that I don’t, because one day I may choose to. I always tell girls if they’re going to do it, do it for themselves. Don’t do it to get ahead or win a title.
What’s the best beauty tip you ever received?
Less is more. A lot of times, people try to do too much in terms of accessories. And drink water. That’s my A-No.1 beauty tip.
What’s a beauty tip you learned from your mom?
That I need lipstick, and big hair. The higher the hair, the higher to God.
