Melisa Raouf, a 20-year-old girl from London, has made history! Raouf has become the first ever contestant in Miss England pageant to walk the ramp without makeup. Now, Raouf will compete with 40 other contestants in the finals on 17 October.
Melisa, a political student, said that she wants to encourage other women and young girls to show their natural beauty. “It means a lot to me. I feel many girls of different ages wear makeup because they feel pressured to do so,” Raouf said in an interview with the U.K.’s Independent newspaper.
“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,” Melisa further added.
She had also won the “Bare Face” round in the year 2019. Talking about her brave move, organizer Angie Beasley said, “It encourages women to show us who they really are without the need to hide behind makeup and filters on social media.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen a contestant completely makeup-free competing in a semi-final and she said she felt empowered against all the other contestants,” she further added.
Raouf will be in the mix for the Miss England crown along with 40 other women on October 17.
