A pageant without make-up is perhaps an unimaginable site but not an impossible one. At a time when people want to look their best possible version and don't mind going for a surgery, England's beauty pageant finalist has a story to tell.
Miss England finalist Melisa Raouf is eschewing false standards of beauty. The contestant has made her mark without any makeup among the 'all make- up' contestants for UK's coveted beauty pageant.
Her bare-faced appearance amazed the audience, as she now gears up to compete against 40 other women to be crowned Miss England in October
Raouf, a proponent of inner beauty is the first ever contestant to make it to the final sans any makeup.
The 20-year-old believes that one should not be made to hide their flaws and hence, should not be covering up their faces with makeup.
Rauf started wearing make up at an early age but opted to do away with it at the pageant. "It was a daunting but amazing experience," she said.
A realization that one should be happy in their own skin is what makes individuals unique. Speaking to Independent, Raouf also pointed out the social pressure that want girls, women to look a certain way.
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