By competing in the Miss England final without wearing makeup, a student of politics from South London created history. By competing in the semi-finals on Monday, 20-year-old Melisa Raouf became the first female competitor in the competition’s 94-year history (August 22).
The Battersea, London, resident Melissa justifies the decision by saying she wants to encourage other models to walk the runway and embrace their natural features. At the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry on October 17, she will face off against 40 other competitors in the final.
To promote beauty that goes above and beyond what is typically seen and anticipated on social media, the uncommon action was taken. The pageant’s organisers had previously included a “bare-face top model” round, but claim this is the first time they had heard of someone competing without makeup.
She said: “It was quite a daunting experience but so amazing to win this way. 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. Our flaws make us who we are and that’s what makes every individual unique.
“I think people should love and embrace their flaws and blemishes, as we know real beauty lies within simplicity. When I started wearing make up at a young age, I never felt comfortable in my own skin.
She added: “I never felt I 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 make-up.
“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.
“I’m going to the finals bare faced. I would love to use my Miss England platform to empower natural beauty and eliminate this toxic mindset. I’ve had so many girls message me telling me how I’ve made them feel more confident in themselves.
“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.
Miss England organiser Angie Beasley said she introduced the bare face model round after becoming shocked at the amount of make-up and filler contestants had.
She said: “I saw too many unrealistic images on Instagram and contestants thinking they needed to wear make-up to look beautiful.
“It encourages contestants to show us who they really are without the need to hide behind makeup and filters on social media.
“This round in the contest was introduced back in 2019 as we were receiving so many entry images from contestants covering their faces with thick make up and using filters.
“Since then contestants post their images on social media to enter this round.
“This is the first time I’ve seen a contestant completely make up free competing in a semi final and she said she felt empowered against all the other contestants.
“I’m all for make up to enhance your natural beauty but there’s no need for youngsters to wear It so thick that it looks like a mask.
