Twenty-year-old Melisa Raouf is one of 40 finalists fighting for the Miss England crown. Raouf, on the other hand, was the only candidate in the pageant who did not wear makeup, the first in 94 years. She wanted to promote inner beauty and challenge the beauty standards that are prevalent on social media.
Miss England Contestant with a Naked Face
The Miss England pageant has a bare-face round, but this is the first time a contender has chosen to go without makeup. Raouf described her decision as a “daunting but incredible experience.” She also plans to compete without makeup in the finals.
Raouf began wearing cosmetics when she was young because she was self-conscious about her appearance. “I never felt I met beauty standards,” she explained. I recently realized that I am gorgeous in my natural flesh, which is why I opted to compete without makeup. I’m still confident in myself, even when I’m completely covered up with cosmetics. This is who I am, and I am not frightened to be myself. “I wanted to present Melisa for who she actually is.”
Throughout the pageant, many girls and women rallied behind Raouf, who had inspired them to be more secure in their own skin. “With mental health being such a hot topic, I want to help all females feel wonderful. I simply want to be free of all beauty standards. I feel like I’ve done it for all girls because I believe that all girls are beautiful in their own way.” Throughout the pageant, Raof promotes for youth mental health and has championed Papyrus, a UK organization that works to prevent teenage suicide.
Angie Beasley, the Miss England pageant’s organizer, started the bare-faced round in 2019 after noticing that most contenders submitted heavily edited photos with layers of makeup. She wanted the round to urge women “to show us who they truly are without the need to hide behind makeup and filters on social media.” Contestants had to publish a bare-faced photo of themselves on their social media profiles in order to compete.
Body image is defined as how a person thinks and feels about their own body. Several factors, such as beliefs, experiences, and generalizations, could influence this perception. People have historically valued beauty, and these standards have changed over time. Nowadays, social media and popular culture propagate modern standards, which can have a significant impact on people’s body images.
A negative body image indicates that a person is generally dissatisfied with their appearance. They may compare themselves to others, which makes them feel inferior. They may feel compelled to keep track of their physique, frequently use a scale, measurements, or a mirror. They may also be self-conscious and ashamed of their bodies. A bad body image can often lead to unneeded procedures, unhealthy weight loss behaviors, and mental health problems.
Body images can be influenced by messages from society, family, friends, and the media. Particularly in the fashion and beauty sectors, harmful views of what is deemed attractive are promoted. Many people grow up being taught that a perfect appearance is unnatural and unrealistic. Many only publish their most flattering photographs on social media, which has become an issue. This leads to inaccurate expectations of how bodies should look. A short study published in 2018 discovered a link between poor body image/disordered eating and time spent on social media, particularly when participants viewed content focused on appearances, such as a model or fitness instructor.
Ways to Encourage Positive Body Image
Social media, on the other hand, can assist develop a positive body image if utilized carefully. If a person feels worse about themselves after scrolling, disconnect for a few hours, days, or weeks. Taking a break can significantly improve one’s mood. Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate and negative, and instead follow those that make you feel good. Find a network of people who are also changing their ideas regarding beauty standards. Many body positive Instagram accounts explore the realities of these expectations and offer advice on how to feel better in one’s own skin. Influencers such as Miss England finalist Melisa Raouf advocate inner beauty.
A person has a good body image when they are comfortable with their looks and have a healthy relationship with their body. It entails having a broad understanding of beauty, enjoying their own body, and caring for their body in healthy and pleasurable ways. Generally, it indicates that a person is working to improve their relationship with their looks, regardless of external factors. Many people feel they will accept their bodies once they have achieved their ideal appearance, but this is not always the case. Body admiration can and should be encouraged regardless of one’s appearance.
