Melisa Raouf, a contestant in the recent Miss England pageant, made headlines by participating without makeup, a first in the competition’s nearly century-long history. Her decision to go bare-faced was a bold challenge against societal beauty standards, particularly those perpetuated through heavily edited social media images.
Raouf expressed her understanding of the immense pressure women face to conform to unrealistic beauty ideals dictated by the beauty industry. As a student of political science at King’s College London, she aimed to empower others who, like her, felt marginalized due to societal beauty norms.
Pioneering the Bare-Face Movement
Raouf’s journey to the Miss England finals began with her victory in the Miss London Bare Face Top Model competition, introduced in 2019 to encourage contestants to embrace their natural appearance. This win propelled her to the semifinals in August, where she continued to advocate for self-acceptance and body positivity.
In preparation for the finals, Raouf engaged in charitable activities such as a 10-kilometer race and litter cleanup in London, raising funds for Beauty with a Purpose, a charity affiliated with Miss World. Additionally, she initiated the #barefacetrendmovement, which aimed to boost self-esteem and foster a community of women embracing their authentic selves.
Impact and Support
Elle Seline, who had previously made history in the Ms. Great Britain pageant by competing without makeup, lauded Raouf’s courage and commitment to challenging beauty norms. Seline, using her platform to advocate for women’s empowerment, viewed Raouf’s participation as a significant step towards reshaping societal perceptions of beauty and promoting diversity.
Raouf’s stance resonated throughout the ten rounds of the Miss England competition, culminating in Jessica Gagen’s victory. Despite not clinching the crown, Raouf used her platform during the concluding speech to call for an end to the pressures women face to conform to conventional beauty standards, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance.
Expanding the Movement
The movement towards embracing natural beauty has gained momentum beyond Raouf’s participation in the pageant. Influencers like Mariia Bilenka have utilized social media to challenge beauty norms, with hashtags such as #bareface and #skinpositivity garnering widespread support. This growing community celebrates imperfections and rejects societal pressures to attain flawless appearances.
Conclusion
Melisa Raouf’s courageous stance in the Miss England pageant marks a significant milestone in the ongoing discourse on beauty standards. By challenging conventions and promoting self-love, Raouf has sparked a global movement towards embracing natural beauty. Her advocacy encourages women worldwide to feel confident and empowered in their own skin, regardless of societal pressures or expectations.
