The world’s first make-up free beauty queen is to be stripped of her Miss London crown as she drops out of the Miss England title battle to be a bridesmaid.
Natasha Beresford, 26, beat 18 other women, who all competed ‘bare-faced’, in the first make-up free pageant of Miss London’s 95-year history.
She had been due to compete in the Miss England final in Wolverhampton in May and had a ‘great chance’ of being crowned the winner, organisers say.
But she has ditched the chance to gain the title because the final clashes with her best friend’s big day.
So instead of strutting down the catwalk, she will now be walking down the aisle as a bridesmaid.
Natasha Beresford, 26, beat 18 other women, who all competed ‘bare-faced’, in the first make-up free pageant of Miss London’s 95-year history
Natasha being crowned at the make-up free pageant. While contestants in previous years have been asked to submit pictures of themselves without filters, cosmetics or editing as part of the competition, the 2023 pageant contestants were banned from using even a slick of lip gloss
Natasha, a dental nurse who is originally from Sheffield and now lives in London, said: ‘Unfortunately I will no longer be representing London and taking part in the Miss England national final in May.
‘My best friend is getting married in the north of England on the same weekend, and I have already promised to be her bridesmaid.
‘I would like to thank everyone for their support during my time in the contest, and I wish all the Miss England finalists the best of luck.’
Natasha wowed the Miss England judges with her natural beauty last year while wearing a white lace dress by Shikoba Bride – which produces ethically and sustainably produced wedding dresses in the UK.
While contestants in previous years have been asked to submit pictures of themselves without filters, cosmetics or editing as part of the competition, the 2023 pageant contestants were banned from using even a slick of lip gloss.
Organisers said the concept aimed to empower women, boost confidence and promote a more realistic body image as it focused on natural looks.
Runner-up Temi Adeyemi, 26, an accounts assistant from Enfield, Middlesex, will now compete as Miss London in the final
Natasha wowed the Miss England judges with her natural beauty while wearing a white lace bridal gown at the make-up free contest
National director of Miss England Angie Beasley said: ‘We are so disappointed that Natasha can’t take part in the Miss England final. She had a great chance.
‘It’s so unfortunate that Miss England has fallen on the same date as her best friend’s wedding.
‘But the show must go on. I wish Natasha all the very best going forward.’
She added: ‘Natasha is a true beauty with a purpose putting others first before her own. She doesn’t want to let her best friend down which is totally understandable.’
Runner-up Temi Adeyemi, 26, an accounts assistant from Enfield, Middlesex, will now compete as Miss London in the final.
She said: ‘I was hoping to enter the Miss England Final make up free to embrace natural beauty.
‘For me it’s an empowering statement. It’s also an honour for me to represent London. I’m so excited.’
Natasha started work as a dental nurse at the Royal London Dental Hospital in 2021 where she was dubbed ‘a real-life tooth fairy’ providing treatment to children.
She now works at a private dental practice in the capital’s upmarket neighbourhood of Chiswick.
Miss London contestants left to right: Winner Natasha Beresford, runner-up Temi Adeyemi, runner-up Afrose Ameen, public vote winner Lauren Malone and runner-up Atlanta Richards
She said in October: ‘I find my job really rewarding. Over the years I have worked in the NHS, as well as private and urgent care dental practices.
‘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.’
Natasha added at the time: ‘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 honour 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 make-up.’
At the competition in September, 19 contestants took to the catwalk completely make-up-free, wearing their own choice of boho-themed ethically sourced clothing.
One of the runners-up, Afrose Ameen, 23, from Lewisham, is an engineering student who worked on the Elizabeth Line on the London Underground during its development.
Alanta Richards, a 17-year-old beauty therapy student from Surrey, also won a place in the top five.
The public vote winner was Lauren Malone, 26, a company founder and CEO, who will join the other four women in the Miss England final.
The beauty pageant was held at the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences in London and was sponsored by the Cetuem London natural skincare brand.
The Miss England final will take place over two days on May 16 and 17 at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton.