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There's an assumption that beauty pageant contestants must wear a full face of makeup in order to compete. And while that’s certainly still the norm, one woman is embracing her natural looks and having great success doing it. Melisa Raouf, a 20-year-old politics student from London, is a Miss England finalist and the first person to compete makeup-free in the competition’s 94-year history.
Raouf was shocked that she made it to the finals, and it has inspired her to speak on the “toxic” narrative regarding makeup and social media filters that alter the face. “It means a lot to me as I feel many girls of different ages wear makeup because they feel pressured to do so,” Raouf shares. “When I started wearing makeup at a young age, I never felt comfortable in my own skin. I never felt I met beauty standards.”
Raouf will now compete alongside 40 other women for the chance to be crowned Miss England, and she intends to go makeup-free there, too. “If one is happy in their own skin we should not be made to cover up our face with makeup,” she says. “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.
“I have recently accepted that I am beautiful in my own skin and that's why I decided to compete with no make-up.” she continues. “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’s bare-faced beauty, in a competition known for being dolled up, has inspired other girls. She’s received messages telling her how they now feel more confident in themselves after seeing Raouf win.
Though Raouf is choosing to go natural with her face, the intent isn’t to shame anyone who does opt to put makeup on. It’s more about choice and offering an alternative to the beauty standard. “With mental health being such a big topic, I want to make all girls feel good,” she explains. “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.”
Melisa Raouf is a Miss England finalist who decided to compete without wearing any makeup.
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She will compete alongside 40 other women for the chance to be crowned Miss England, and she intends to go makeup-free there, too.
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Raouf still wears makeup from time to time—but that should be her choice and not dictated by society. “I just want to remove all the beauty standards,” she says. “I feel like all girls are beautiful in their own way.”
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Miss England: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [Daily Mail]
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