Would you enter a beauty pageant without a single drop of makeup? No foundation, no mascara, not even a swipe of lip balm?
That’s exactly what Natasha Beresford did—and she walked away with the crown!
The 26-year-old dental nurse just made history by winning the world’s first-ever makeup-free beauty pageant. Competing against 18 other contestants, Natasha clinched the title of Miss London 2023, marking a major shift in the way beauty competitions define “true beauty.”
A Pageant With A Bold Twist
Unlike traditional beauty pageants, this one had a strict rule—no makeup, no filters, no enhancements. Contestants had to embrace their natural looks, a move meant to challenge conventional beauty standards and promote confidence in raw, unedited beauty.
Though past Miss England competitions required contestants to submit untouched photos, this year, they took it a step further by banning makeup altogether. And Natasha shined—without a single cosmetic product.
Wearing an elegant white lace dress by Shikoba Bride—a UK-based brand known for its ethically made wedding dresses—Natasha wowed the judges with her natural glow, proving that beauty isn’t about contouring or highlighter, but confidence and authenticity.
From Dental Nurse to Beauty Queen
Originally from Sheffield, Natasha now lives in London, working at a private dental practice in Chiswick. Her journey to the crown started in 2021, when she began working as a dental nurse at the Royal London Dental Hospital, earning the nickname “a real-life tooth fairy” for her work with children.
And her ambitions don’t stop with pageants—she’s already looking ahead.
“For the future, I’d love to train further in dental radiography and oral health education,” Natasha shared. “I also want to volunteer with Dentaid, a charity that provides dental care for people experiencing homelessness, survivors of abuse, and those in need.”
The Competition Was Fierce—And Inspiring
Natasha wasn’t the only one embracing her natural beauty. The competition saw 19 other women confidently stepping onto the stage, makeup-free, dressed in their own selection of ethically sourced boho-themed outfits.
The top finalists included:
- Afrose Ameen, a 23-year-old engineering student who contributed to building London’s Elizabeth Line.
- Temi Adeyemi, a 26-year-old accounts assistant.
- Alanta Richards, a 17-year-old beauty therapy student.
- Lauren Malone, a 26-year-old company founder and CEO, who won the public vote.
All five of these inspiring women will now move on to the Miss England final later this year.
Beauty Beyond Makeup
Winning Miss London was an emotional moment for Natasha.
“All the girls who competed are so beautiful and inspirational,” she said. “It was truly an honor to be chosen. I hope my title can inspire young women to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin—without makeup.”
With her fresh-faced win, Natasha is proving that beauty isn’t about layers of foundation or perfectly winged eyeliner—it’s about owning who you are, just as you are.
What do you think? Would you enter a beauty contest without makeup? Share your thoughts!
