By Angie Beasley Director Miss England
The next Miss England competition is debating on social media whether to keep it’s Make up Free round which has been running since 2019. The round is held between contestants in the qualifiers where contestants are encouraged to post make up free images of themselves on social media.
The round named “Bare Face Top Model” in the Miss England contest started in 2019 with Love Islands Bomb shell Rebecca Gormley winning the very first national award.
Politics student Melissa Raouf entered the whole competition make up free in 2022 and remains the only contestant to walk the Miss England final catwalk totally make up free as well as winning the award that year in the final.
Melissa said “ I strongly believe the makeup free round should remain a key part of Miss England and even be made compulsory. While pageants are often associated with makeup, glamour, and glitz, this round offers something unique and refreshing: an opportunity for contestants to embrace their natural beauty and feel confident in their own skin. It’s not just empowering for the women competing—it inspires thousands of girls watching to feel comfortable and radiant as they are. For me personally, I used to feel really insecure about even posting a photo without makeup or filters. But this round in Miss England completely changed that. It gave me the confidence to see myself in a new light, to the point where I ended up doing the entire contest without makeup! It brought out a whole new side of me and made me realize how powerful it is to embrace who you truly are. This round isn’t just about natural beauty—it’s about showing the many dimensions of a woman, and that’s something truly worth celebrating and preserving”.
However Miss Manchester Cheshire and Lancashire Organiser Sean Maloney a celebrity make up artist wants the make up free round to go . “ I don’t want the makeup free round at Miss England to stay because I think wearing makeup isn’t always about beautification but about confidence and a general love for cosmetics and the industry. Whether someone is wearing makeup or not shouldn’t be a factor which determines if they become Miss England. Their talent, charisma, fundraising, stage presence and commitment to the system and greater good should be what determines if they win Miss England. Although I think the bare face round is a great way to celebrate natural beauty, I don’t believe this round plays a vital part in determining who should become the next Miss England.”
Mum of two and Miss UK 1996 Rachel Warner said “ I’ve always had mixed feelings on this round as although empowering for some it can be equally daunting for others, especially those who have experienced bullying traumas.
Expressing yourself and presenting yourself as you choose to enables you to be your best version. It’s key as it is important to feel good and to be confident presenting yourself as you feel comfortable .
Angie Beasley , director of Miss England since 2002 said “We brought this round in to promote more of a realistic image on social media and in the competition as a whole ” said Miss England director Angie Beasley .. At the time I was receiving so many entries with filtered images and contestants looked nothing like their entry pictures. We now have our first plus size winner ,natural beauty , qualified lifeguard Milla Magee from Cornwall who’s getting ready for the 72nd Miss World . Milla is a true natural beauty & doesn’t really wear much make up at all even at events .I think the message has got through that we promote natural beauty in the competition so I thought we would have a vote whether to keep this round or not as im not sure if its needed anymore…”
Milla said “The make up free round celebrates the courage to embrace your natural self. It’s a reminder to girls everywhere that true beauty isn’t about meeting expectations—it’s about confidence, authenticity, and being comfortable in your own skin.”
Make up free award winners in Miss England include
2019 – Rebecca Gormley – Newcastle
2021 – Rheanna Cartier – Cotswolds
2022- Melisa Raouf – London
2023- Afrose Ameen -Croydon
So organisers are now running a debate throughout January to vote whether or not to keen the make up free round in …
MISS ENGLAND PODCAST
Manchesters Sean Maloney Celebrtity Make-up artist is featured on the latest Miss England Podcast out now on Spotify . Sean is currently running the Miss Manchester , Lancashire and Cheshire heats for Miss England.
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ENDS
PR contact Angie Beasley 07979 742756 – email [email protected]
