Meet Miss Long Island Teen 2026

PROFILE

Jul 27

The 16-year-old titleholder opens up about confidence, community service, and her favorite beauty products.

When Shyla Silva first entered a pageant at 8 years old, the goal wasn't to win a crown. "My mom wanted me to use pageantry to gain confidence and be able to put myself out there," says Silva, now 16. "It wasn't always winning. It was more about learning and getting a good experience."

The experience delivered exactly that. Silva remembers being so shy that giving a class presentation would leave her in tears. "I couldn't even go up in front of my class without getting a panic attack," she says. "Now I'm able to go on any stage or talk in front of hundreds of people. I always get nervous, but I don't doubt myself anymore."

That confidence has carried her to the title of Miss Long Island Teen and, most recently to the the Miss New York Teen competition.

From First-Timer to Titleholder

Silva has spent the last eight years competing in pageants, beginning with the USA National Miss system before joining the Miss Long Island organization. Her first time competing for the Miss Long Island Teen title in 2025 didn't result in a placement, but Silva walked away with a renewed sense of determination. "After I stepped off the stage, I knew there was so much more I wanted to do," she says. "I wanted to get back into it and start working hard."

As she prepares for Miss New York Teen, Silva has been working with Jillian Page Collective to strengthen her interview skills and become even more confident sharing her personality. She also credits Miss Long Island Executive Director Leanne Maciel and the Long Island organization for helping her lean into her authentic personality. "They've really helped me show who I am and be more confident talking about my platform," she says.

One Simple Act of Kindness

Long before she wore a sash, Silva had already found her purpose. At 7 years old, she spotted a homeless mother and daughter standing outside during a snowstorm without winter coats. Not fully understanding what homelessness meant, she asked her mother if she could give the little girl her own coat.

Instead, her family bought the pair warm clothing, but the experience stuck with her. "When I got home, I asked my mom if there were other people who struggled like that," Silva says. Within a week, she had organized a coat drive through her school, family and friends, collecting more than 150 coats.

That childhood project has grown into Shyla Cares, an initiative that now includes Thanksgiving food drives, holiday toy collections and other donation efforts throughout the year. Recently, she's expanded the program through partnerships with Smithtown libraries, local schools and the Smithtown Rotary Club.

"I always try to double my goals every year," she says. "Thankfully, we've been able to keep growing."

Life Beyond the Crown

Silva's schedule doesn't slow down once the sash comes off. She's also a three-sport athlete, playing lacrosse, basketball and soccer, which often means racing from early morning practices to appearances, sometimes applying her makeup in the car.

After dealing with bullying, Silva says staying busy became part of rebuilding her confidence. "There were a lot of times where I was just sitting in my room doing nothing," she says. "Putting myself out there and keeping myself busy helped me get out of that bad mental state."

Beauty Favorites

While pageants introduced Silva to the world of beauty, she's only recently started doing more of her own hair and makeup, and she's enjoying the learning process thanks to tips from makeup artist Liz Kaiser and Miss Long Island Geanna Koulouris.

She's become a fan of Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation because it gives her lightweight coverage without irritating her sensitive skin. "It doesn't feel heavy, and it doesn't break me out," she says. She pairs it with Tarte Shape Tape Blurring Concealer Stick, which she likes because she can wear it alone on lighter makeup days or build it up for competition.

For eyes, Silva has been experimenting with eyeshadow and recently discovered a love for soft, feminine looks. Her go-to palettes are Morphe’s Outer Spice and Flickering Sands, which she uses to create everything from natural looks to pink, glittery shades that complement her green eyes. She’s also a fan of brown mascara, including Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara and Tarte Maneater Mascara. "Brown brings out my eye color more," she says. "Black can look a little too heavy."

Her skincare routine is refreshingly simple, consisting of Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner, and Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Gel Cream Moisturizer, with The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution making an appearance only when she has a breakout. For hair, she relies on Color Wow Style on Steroids Texture Spray for volume, Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Creamfor slicked-back sports hairstyles and Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil to keep her hair healthy after frequent styling.

When it comes to beauty services, Silva has a few Long Island favorites she’s stayed loyal to over the years. She’s been going to Beauty and Bridal by Rosanna in Long Beach since she was four years old, where Rosanna has helped her maintain the health of her hair with cuts, styling, treatments, and, more recently, beaded extensions.

For her pageant-ready glow, Silva turns to The Bronzed Bar in Bellmore for spray tans. "She is so supportive," Silva says. "The first time working with her, I felt so confident walking out of there because she just makes you feel so loved." When she wants a professional manicure, she heads to Victoria Nails & Spa at Roosevelt Field Mall, although she admits she often enjoys doing her own nails at home.