beginner figure competition - how muscular do you need to be?

Hi everyone, I'm new here and intend to participate in a figure competition sometime soon. I want to do so in order to get in shape again, as well as to test myself and to try something exciting and new. Having said that, my question is this: how muscular does one need to be? I understand that this is a very general question, but some of the ladies I see in these competitions look like full-blown bodybuilders, which is not the look I'd like to go for. Is it acceptable to just look toned and lean?
Ideally I'd participate in a bikini contest, but I'm what you'd call a butterface, haha, so that's not a realistic option.
Regardless, I'm open to getting myself into any kind of crazy shape because I have a strong need to perform and compete. I wish you all the best! Thanks!

I hope Linda gets to post to you, but here is my 2 cents...
If you are going to train "Hormone free", I don't think you will get too muscular no matter how hard you train.  Just give-er and see what happens, and if your body is done right, nobody will be looking at your face when you are in a bikini.  I have been to competitions, and from the audience everybody looks like a model but when you are talking to each other face to face......well, let's just say it is not quite the same.  I like to call it "good from far, but far from good".  Good luck with your competition.

okay, what is a butter face???  YOu got me here.....
You are correct, depending on the federation, size can vary.  You want to stick with a natural show from what I can tell, I need to see your body to know for sure which show is best suited for you but generally the ones where the girls are not so big, usually are more subjective with pageantry, looks, beauty......the ones which like you more muscled look mainly at size and cut.
Where are you, so I can suggest some shows, but also do you want it to be local or will you travel?
I also suggest ideally, you pick a show, watch it then do it the next year so you have a year to prep, save etc.
there is much to think about, please go to figureteam.com and look at the faqs but also go to lindacusmano.com and register free to be able to access the download section, that is where you can find 2 ebooks to help you with contest prep and the whole planning, thinking stages you are at now.  They are free, just save them and burn them to a cd.
Lastly, check out my vid series at bodybuilding.com, I have articles and vids which will help you with this too.
I am not around the forum here as much, but I do monitor this area and still watch all the posts for here so feel free to post here any questions as well.

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com