Updated: Finalists In Montclair's Own Beauty Contest

With an eye towards becoming more involved in the community, Bangz Salon & Wellness Spa in Montclair recently announced its first search to find "The Face of Bangz."

Entries in the tri-state competition were accepted through Oct. 15.

Now the top five finalists have been announced and two Montclair residents—Melissa DiMarco and Ella Crowe—are in the running! (The other three are Natalie Kotton, Gloria Radan, and Melissa Machado.)

The five contestants will compete live in front of a judging panel at Bangz on Nov. 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Crowe called herself "an empowered woman" who supports the healthy lives of other women, noting that her charity of choice is the Doula Program at the Hudson Perinatal Consorium.

DiMarco said her inner goodness far outshines anything "I might have going for me on the outside."

She said that she supports The Emily Specchio Foundation because "I knew Emily and she deserves this much more than I."

If you'd like to attend the event at Bangz, which is free and open to the public, please RSVP to Haley Hammerling at Haley.Hammerling@bhgpr.com. On the night, enjoy food and wine and buy a $10 raffle ticket for a chance to win a variety of prizes. Photos of the finalists can be found at www.contest.bangz.net.

The grand prize winner will receive cash and services valued at $1,500 along with a $500 donation to a charity of their choice. The winner's photo also will be used on promotional material. In addition, all entrants will receive 15 percent off any salon or spa treatment.

“The Face of Bangz Contest is a way for us to engage with the community and find out what is important to our clients and neighbors. Our goal is to find an individual with the same goals and ambition as Bangz in the hope that together we can make a difference,” said Israel Cronk, manager of Bangz Salon & Wellness Spa.

“We are hoping to find someone who knows and understands that having beauty on the inside will execute on the outside as well,” he added.

So what do you think of the finalists? You can see photos of all finalists here.