Meet Miss Long Island 2026
Bethpage native Geanna Koulouris on her Miss Long Island and Miss New York Teen USA titles, her EmpowerEd platform, and the Long Island beauty spots and products she swears by.
Jessilyn Palumbo Photography
Taking the crown in the Miss Long Island 2026 pageant was a full-circle moment for Geanna Koulouris. Her very first pageant was Miss Long Island Teen back in 2017, a leap she took after years of watching competitions on TV and convincing hesitant parents to let her try. “I pretty much was hooked ever since,” says the 23-year-old from Bethpage. After placing fourth runner-up her first time, she went back, studied her performance like her own coach, and returned the next year to win Miss Long Island Teen 2019.
From there, she chased the bigger goal: Miss New York Teen USA, which she won in 2021 before heading to nationals. Like so many things during that time, her reign was shaped by post-COVID uncertainty: masked appearances, scaled-back events, and plenty of pivoting along the way. Still, it cemented her place in the pageant world and, more importantly, in the community that comes with it. “It ends up being its own little network,” she says. “Between the connections, opportunities, and the way everyone backs each other up—that’s what makes it worthwhile.”
After aging out of the teen division, Koulouris returned to compete at Miss Long Island in 2025, placing third runner- before taking a year off to reset.
This time around, her mindset shifted. “I wasn’t preparing for Miss Long Island, I was preparing for Miss USA,” she says. That meant thinking bigger, earlier, from starting her gown months in advance to approaching every detail with the next level in mind. The strategy paid off. Koulouris took home the crown this past November.
A Platform With Purpose
Outside of pageantry, Koulouris is a special education teacher—something that directly informs her pageant platform, EmpowerEd. The initiative focuses on helping students, particularly those with disabilities, build confidence and real-world communication skills.
Through workshops with organizations like Girls Inc. and Girl Scouts, she teaches everything from posture and presence to crafting an elevator pitch. “Your story is one thing, but it’s the storytelling that brings people in,” she says. “I want them to know their voice is powerful.”
It’s a natural extension of her day job, where she works with students preparing to enter the workforce. “I saw how much the skills I learned through pageants helped me in interviews and real-life situations,” she says. “I wanted to find a way to give that back.”
Her Go-To Local Beauty Spots
When she’s not on stage or in the classroom, Koulouris keeps her beauty routine rooted on Long Island, often sticking with places she’s trusted for years.
For haircuts, she’s loyal to Francesca's Salon in Levittown. “I’ve been going to the same stylist since I was about six or seven—I’ve literally followed her wherever she’s gone,” she says.
Brows are more low-maintenance. She usually shapes them herself but checks in every few months at Benefit BrowBar at Ulta for a professional cleanup. “It’s just a little reset to keep everything looking polished,” she says.
And for a confidence-boosting glow, she heads to The Bronze Bar in Bellmore for spray tanning. “It boosts my mood instantly,” she says. “Especially this time of year.”
She’s also planning to visit Patty B Wellness in Bellmore for lymphatic drainage treatments ahead of competition season. “I’ve heard amazing things—I’m really excited to try it.”
The Products She Swears By
Like any seasoned pageant pro, Koulouris has her routine down to a science, starting with a base that can flex between stage and everyday.
For foundation, she reaches for Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation. “It’s buildable, so I can wear it full coverage on stage, but if I do one layer, it’s really natural for everyday,” she says. She pairs it with the brand’sconcealer, adding, “It just sits so nicely on the skin.”
Her setting routine is a mix of two staples: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder all over, plus ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder under the eyes to bake. “It’s a little trial and error, but this combination works best for me,” she says.
For eyes, she leans into neutrals with the MAC Cosmetics Connect In Colour Palette in Unfiltered Nudes. “It has every shade I need, and it’s not too warm or too cool—it’s just right.” She finishes with Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara, a recent favorite. “I tried it on a whim and I’ve been really enjoying it.”
Her lip look is almost always neutral. She starts with L'Oréal Blurfiller Lip Contour in Nude Espresso. “It gives that soft, diffused look—even if I go a little heavy, it never looks harsh,” she says. She layers on a matte like NYX Cosmetics Smooth Whip in Pancake Stacks before topping it with gloss or lip oil. “I like the color payoff of a matte, but I always add gloss on top.”
For hair, she relies on the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System. “It gives me that volume and body without the Dyson price,” she says. She preps strands with Color Wow Dream Coat and Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave-In Conditioner. “My hair can get dry, so I like to keep it shiny—it makes such a difference.”
Between teaching, appearances, and preparing for the next pageant, Koulouris is used to juggling it all. It’s busy, yes—but intentional. “Do I get overwhelmed? Of course,” she says. “But the reward is what makes it worth it.”
Geanna’s Beauty Routine
We’ll be cheering on Koulouris she competes for Miss New York this June. Follow her journey on Instagram at @geannakoulouris and @empoweredwithgeanna and @longislandpageants.
