Miss England finalist becomes first to compete without makeup in beauty pageant’s 94-year history
A Miss England candidate became the first woman to take part in the beauty pageant without makeup in its 94-year history.
In an interview with UK newspaper Independent, Melisa Raouf highlighted the importance of being confident in one’s skin as she revealed why she decided to go barefaced at the prestigious competition. “It means a lot to me as I feel many girls of different ages wear makeup because they feel pressured to do so. If one is happy in their own skin, we should not be made to cover up our face with makeup,” she said.
The 20-year-old contestant from Battersea believes it’s our flaws that “make us who we are,” which also “make every individual unique” in their own ways. For that reason, she’s now one to “accept and embrace blemishes every time, everywhere,” as she shared in a recent Instagram post.
The politics student confessed that she “never felt” that she “met beauty standards.”
“I have recently accepted that I am beautiful in my own skin and that’s why I decided to compete with no makeup,” she said.
“I still feel confident in myself. With makeup, I’m all concealed. This is who I am, I’m not afraid to share who I am. I wanted to show who Melisa truly is.”
Raouf has received so much love and support after her move, which she has done “for all girls.”
“With mental health being such a big topic, I want to make all girls feel good. I just want to remove all the beauty standards. I feel like all girls are beautiful in their own way. I feel like I’ve done it for all girls,” added the beauty queen.
According to CNN International, the pageant organizers shared Raouf’s intention to again walk the pageant stage makeup-free when she vies for the highly coveted crown on the coronation night in October. “We wish her the best of luck in Miss England. It’s a very brave thing to do when everyone else is wearing makeup but she’s sending out an important message to young women,” Miss England director Angie Beasley said.