A 20-year-old student of politics became the first competitor in the 94-year history of the Miss England beauty pageant to participate without wearing any form of facial makeup. The competition has been held annually since 1925. Melisa Raouf, who hails from South London, competed in the pageant’s quarterfinals on Monday wearing nothing but her natural skin tone. She has earned a spot in the finals and will now compete against forty other women for the title of Miss England on October 17 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Center in Coventry, which is located in the United Kingdom.
Melisa explained, why she decided to compete without wearing any makeup and shared the significance of being at ease within one’s own body. It means a lot to me since I have the impression that a lot of ladies of varying ages put on makeup because they feel forced to do so. We should not be required to cover up our faces with cosmetics if we are content in the flesh that we are in. She is of the opinion that our imperfections are what “make us who we are” and “make every individual unique” in their own particular ways.
More info: Melisa’s Instagram | Miss England Contest