C T Online Desk: A 20-year-old from Battersea in London has reached the Miss England final after becoming the first make-up free contestant to participate in the pageant in its 94-year history.
The Independent on Friday quoted Melisa Raouf, a politics student, as saying that she wanted to challenge the beauty ideals perpetuated on social media and promote inner beauty.
After her barefaced appearance at the semi-final of the competition on August 22, Raouf will compete against 40 other women to be crowned Miss England in October.
Organizers of the event had previously introduced a makeup free modelling round to the competition, but said it was the first time anyone had chosen to compete without makeup.
Raouf, who plans to forgo makeup in the final as well, said it had been a “daunting but amazing experience”.
“It means a lot to me as I feel many girls of different ages wear makeup because they feel pressured to do so,” The Independent quoted Raouf as saying.
She continued: “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.”
Raouf said she had started wearing makeup at a young age, but had never felt comfortable in her own skin.
“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.”
She said she felt like all girls were beautiful in their own way, and that she had done it for all girls.
Miss England organizer Angie Beasley introduced the makeup-free round to the competition in 2019 after seeing how much makeup and cosmetic enhancement contestants had.
The round encouraged women to show who they really were without the need to hide behind makeup and filters on social media, she said.
In order to qualify for the round, contestants must post a makeup-free image of themselves on social media.
“I wish Melisa the best of luck in Miss England 2022,” Beasley said, commenting on Raouf’s decision.
“I’m all for makeup to enhance your natural beauty but there’s no need for youngsters to wear it so thick that it looks like a mask.”
