Miss England hopefuls share make-up free photos to promote natural beauty
Miss England hopefuls have posed without make-up and filter-free for a selfies to promote natural beauty and body positivity.
Ten beauty queens bidding to become Miss London 2022 shared their bare-face images without any filters, cosmetics or editing on Instagram during a round of the competition.
The Bare Face Top Model section was introduced in 2019 by organisers as a way to empower women and boost confidence in an age of social media obsession.
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The Miss London finalists said they are taking part in the initiative to help women be comfortable in their own skin and and to promote "inner beauty".
Student midwife Sepal Dawed, 26, said: "I entered this round to embrace my unique beauty.
"To show that we don’t always need make up to feel beautiful as it all starts from within. Inner beauty is what makes one beautiful as it shines brighter."
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Engineer Emily Cossey, 24, added: "I realise that many times women feel inadequate and scared to post a photo without filters.
"That’s why I wanted to use this opportunity to empower women (and men) to embrace their natural beauty.
"The message I want to tell with this picture is one of vulnerability, of acceptance and of happiness.
"I want to point out that you don’t have to hide behind your clothes or your hair or your makeup, but instead you should embrace yourself as you are with no distractions in order to show your self-confidence.
"You may not always feel confident enough to leave the house without the distractions, but one thing I have learnt from wearing minimal makeup is that your smile is the best form of makeup.
"At the end of the day, the only opinion that matters is your own. And if you’re confident in your own skin that will always come across."
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Mahan Hosseini, 24, said: "Everyone and all creations are beautiful in their own way, regardless of their colour and race.
"I've always accepted simplicity and felt comfortable in my own skin, and I've always encouraged natural beauty by being confident in my own skin."
Politics student Melisa Najafee Raouf, 20, said: "Love and embrace your flaws and blemishes, as we know real beauty lies within simplicity."
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Miss England organiser Angie Beasley said she introduced the round after becoming shocked at the amount of contestants undergoing filler treatments and Botox.
She said: "I saw too many unrealistic images on Instagram and contestants thinking they needed to wear make-up to look beautiful.
“It encourages contestants to show us who they really are without the need to hide behind makeup and filters on social media."
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The reigning Miss England Rehema Muthamia was one of the three Bare Face Top Model winners in the 2021 Miss England contest.
Former Miss Newcastle Rebecca Gormley became the first Bare Face Top Model winner in 2019.
Rebecca is now a successful model and Instagram influencer and appeared on ITV'S Love Island.
The final of Miss London takes place on Sunday June 5 at the Hotel Rafayel in Battersea and the winner will land a place in the Miss England semi final.
Additional reporting by SWNS
