A dental nurse has won the world's first-ever make-up-free beauty contest where contestants have to go completely au naturel.
Natasha Beresford, a 26-year-old dental nurse, secured the coveted title of Miss London 2023, marking the first-ever winner of a 'makeup-free' beauty pageant.
Natasha dazzled judges and beat 18 other contestants in the regional heats of the Miss England competition, making history in the contest's impressive 95-year run, per the Daily Mail.
In a move to redefine beauty standards, this year's pageant took an unconventional stance by prohibiting contestants from wearing even a hint of makeup, striving to empower women, boost confidence, and foster a more authentic body image that focuses on natural beauty.
While previous competitions required participants to submit unaltered photos of themselves, the ban on cosmetics elevated the challenge.
Natasha captivated the judges while gracefully donning a stunning white lace dress by Shikoba Bride, a brand known for producing ethically and sustainably crafted wedding attire in the UK.
Earning the title of Miss London opens doors for Natasha as she advances to the highly anticipated Miss England final, scheduled later this year.
Her journey to this historic win began in 2021 when she embarked on her career as a dental nurse at the prestigious Royal London Dental Hospital, where she earned the affectionate moniker 'a real-life tooth fairy' for her dedication to providing dental care to children.
Originally hailing from Sheffield, Natasha now calls London home, working at a private dental practice in the upscale neighborhood of Chiswick.
Looking ahead, she expressed her aspirations, stating: "For the future, I would like to do further training in dental radiography and oral health education. I also plan on volunteering with Dentaid for their UK outreach dental clinics, where they provide dental care and oral health advice for people experiencing homelessness, survivors of abuse, families in poverty, refugees, cancer patients, and people recovering from addiction."
She went on: "I am thrilled to have been selected as Miss London. All the girls that competed are so beautiful and truly inspirational, so it was an honor to be chosen. I hope to use my title to inspire young women and girls to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin without makeup."
Natasha was up against 19 other contestants, each confidently makeup-free, adorned in their personal selection of boho-themed ethically sourced clothing.
The runners-up included Afrose Ameen, a 23-year-old engineering student from Lewisham, who contributed to the construction of the Elizabeth Line on the London Underground. Temi Adeyemi, a 26-year-old accounts assistant from Enfield, Middlesex, and 17-year-old beauty therapy student Alanta Richards from Surrey also claimed well-deserved spots in the top five.
The public vote winner, Lauren Malone, a 26-year-old company founder and CEO, will join these four women in the forthcoming Miss England final.
