Iconic Beauties: GCW contest winners define inner beauty

The Gulf Coast Woman Iconic Beauty Look-alike Contest winners define beauty’s inner glow, outward confidence and extend blessings.

Sharmaine Rieux

FITNESS ENTHUSIAST | WAVELAND, MS

“True Beauty is undefined. Beauty is whatever you want it to be. However your eyes perceive it, and however your soul reflects it.”

Sharmaine Rieux is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she studied exercise science. When she’s not working out, Rieux enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

To keep healthy, she exercises as often as she can. She feels her most beautiful self when at the gym, wearing no makeup. “Beauty is freedom to choose what we think is beautiful and that in itself is beautiful.” To feed her soul and mind, she sets aside time to pray and meditate. “I like to take a time out from life and vacation to clear my mind and refocus.”

Rieux’s beauty secret ingredient: African black soap

BRITNEYE MAE LADNER

OWNER OF LITTLE SUNSHINE PHOTOGRAPHY | SAUCIER, MS

“My favorite part of my body is probably my eyes because I’ve witnessed my life’s best (and worst) moments through them, and I’m incredibly thankful for what God has opened them to.”

Britneye Ladner calls herself a child and servant of the one true King, God. Britneye and her husband of 10 years have two boys with a third to arrive soon. She loves to laugh and freeze precious, passing moments in photographs.

“Beauty for me is not as much something that’s seen as it is something that is felt. It’s the moment when a mother holds her newborn baby for the first time.”

To keep her soul and mind healthy, Ladner seeks God through music and reading the Bible. She also practices daily exercise and being mindful of what foods she eats.

Ladner’s beauty secret ingredient: LimeLight skin care

BRANDY JARVIS IBOS

CEO & OWNER OF THE SEQUIN SIREN | BILOXI, MS

“True beauty comes from within. It is always being confident in who you are and sharing God’s love through working to make life beautiful for others.”

Prior to opening her new business, Brandy Ibos worked as an NFL cheerleader for the New Orleans Saints. She also represented Mississippi at Miss Earth United States placing in the top 10. Ibos has hosted beach cleanups, raised money for the Humane Society of South Mississippi and served as Queen Venus XXXI for the Krewe of Neptune.

To stay fit, body, mind, and soul, Brandy expresses herself through movement and music. “Dancing is my life! It is art, where you are the paint brush and the stage is your canvas.”

Brandy’s beauty secret ingredient: St. Tropez Self Tanning Oil

TANYA GOLLOT SWOOPE

OWNER/BROKER, GOLLOTT LYONS REAL ESTATE | BILOXI, MS

“True beauty is the ability to see the good in everything, and embrace life and loved ones! It’s the ability to rise above difficulties!”

As the wife of Burton Swoope, mother of four, and Nana to six grandchildren, Tanya Gollot Swoope enjoys her family. In fact, Swoope grew up working in the family business until 1992. Since opening her business, she has achieved many awards over the years and is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.

Her health practice is surrounding herself with smart, beautiful friends and family. “I believe the best part of my body are my eyes; the ability to see all of the beauty around me.”

Swoope’s beauty secret ingredient: Vitamin E cream and Oil of Olay

DIXIE NEWMAN

BILOXI CITY COUNCIL AND OWNER OF JACKED UP COFFEE BAR | BILOXI, MS

“My favorite part of my body is my smile…I choose to always smile. You would be surprised what a smile can not only do for yourself but as well as those around you.”

Dixie Newman is currently in her second term on the Biloxi City Council and has worked hard to form committees and partnerships to revitalize Hiller Park. Newman was chosen as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Women in Business in 2016.

She believes that true beauty radiates what is inside. “What makes someone truly beautiful is her inner peace and strength, presenting herself with class, staying true to her values, and treating others with respect.”

Newman’s beauty secret ingredient: doTERRA essential oils (lavender, cedarwood, tea tree, & Frankincense)