In a groundbreaking move, Natasha Beresford, 26, clinched the title of Miss London 2023 without a trace of mascara or a hint of gloss.
The competition marked a historic moment as it was the "first-ever makeup-free" Miss England pageant. Dressed in an elegant white lace gown from the sustainable wedding dress brand Shikoba Bride, Natasha, a dental nurse, outshone 18 other contestants for the coveted title last week. She is set to advance and compete for the Miss England crown later this year.
Unlike conventional beauty pageants, where glittering eyeshadows and bold lip colors take center stage, judges in this unique competition emphasized the contestants' occupations, studies, natural beauty, and ethical values, as highlighted on the competition's website.
The runner-ups in the pageant were Afrose Ameen, a 23-year-old engineering student, and Temi Adeyemi, a 26-year-old accounts assistant and model.
Natasha's decision to compete without makeup stemmed from her desire to challenge societal beauty standards that often impose undue pressure on young girls. "I never felt I met beauty standards. I have recently accepted that I am beautiful in my own skin, and that’s why I decided to compete with no makeup," she explained.
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