Beauty queens vote to keep makeup-free round in competition

By Ed Chatterton

Beauty queens have voted to keep the Miss England make-up free round after organizers considered scrapping it due to a backlash from competitors.

The “Bare Face Top Model” contest has been running for the last six years as a way to promote and celebrate natural beauty.

But earlier this month, organizers revealed they were thinking about ditching the round altogether after it divided opinion among beauty queens.

Some argued it prevented women from being able to make their own choices about their appearance.

Others believed it was empowering women by focusing on natural looks and a more realistic body image.

Organiser Angie Beasley had already scrapped the competition’s controversial swimwear round and put doing the same with the no makeup contest to a vote.

Today (Fri) she revealed a decision had been made to keep it in the next Miss England competition – but as an optional round.

Angie said: ““Miss England’s Bare Face Top Model round is a unique and empowering element of the competition and will remain in the competition as one of the qualifying rounds that contestants can choose to enter as a way of trying to reach the shortlist.

“By showcasing their natural beauty without the aid of makeup, the contestants can celebrate their individuality and self-confidence.

“This round also promotes natural and realistic beauty on social media which can only be a good thing”.

The round entails posting a natural bare-faced photo of themselves on social media and walking the Miss England catwalk makeup-free.

Politics student Melisa Raouf, 21, was the winner of the 2022 round and the only contestant to ever enter the whole Miss England final makeup-free.

She said: “I’m so glad to hear that the Miss England makeup-free round is staying.

“This round was key in helping me feel confident and empowered in myself, and I’m sure many other girls who participate in the future will feel the same.

“I’m truly excited to see how this round continues to evolve, as I believe it’s what sets the Miss England pageant apart from other pageants—offering a unique opportunity to embrace natural beauty and empowerment.”

The “Bare Face Top Model” contest started in 2019 with Love Island bombshell Rebecca Gormley winning the very first national award.

At the time, beauty queens said they were taking part in the initiative to help women be comfortable in their own skin and to promote “inner beauty”.

Mum-of-two and Miss UK 1996 winner Rachel Warner said previously she had “mixed feelings” about the round.

She 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.”

Miss Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire organizer Sean Maloney, a celebrity make-up artist, was among those who wanted the make-up free round to go.

He said: “I don’t want the make-up free round at Miss England to stay because I think wearing make-up isn’t always about beautification but about confidence and a general love for cosmetics and the industry.

“Whether someone is wearing make-up 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.”

Reigning Miss England Milla Magee, 23, said: “The makeup-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.”

The next Miss England semi-final takes place at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton on October 3.

Before then, Milla, from Newquay Cornwall, will be representing England in the 72nd Miss World.

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