20-year-old becomes first contestant to compete in Miss England pageant without make-up

A 20 year old student from South London has made history as the first ever contestant in the Miss England beauty pageant to compete without make-up. Melisa Rouf made it to the semi-finals on Monday becoming the first contestant to compete without wearing make-up in the pageant’s 94 year history. Although Rouf admitted to wearing make-up in the past, she revealed that her decision to compete bare-face was influenced by a realization that there is societal pressure on women to wear make-up.

“It means a lot to me as I feel many girls of different ages wear makeup because they feel pressured to do so,’ Ms. Rouf revealed in an interview with the UK’s Independent Newspaper.

RELATED: Want A No-Make-Up Face Beat? Here’s How To Get One

Ms. Rouf joins the likes of Zozibini Tunzi who won the Miss Universe title in 2019 becoming the first woman to win the title with Afro-textured hair. Tunzi was celebrated worldwide for defiantly embracing her natural hair during the competition despite being told to wear a wig.

Featured Image: Melisa Raouf. Image| CNN