beauty contest

noun

1. a competition in which the entrants, usually women, are judged as to physical beauty and sometimes personality and talent, with the winners awarded prizes or titles.
2. Informal. any contest, election, etc., that is decided on the basis of popularity.

noun

1. a competition in which the participants, usually women, are judged on their attractiveness, with a prize, and often a title, awarded to the winner
2. informal any contest decided on the basis of superficial attractiveness, popularity, etcthe referendum might turn into a party political beauty contest