Goya Dmytryshchak
Miss World Australia state finalist, Altona Meadows’ Lakshana Soopaul, is part of a campaign to go makeup free on July 3 to raise money for Variety – the Children’s Charity.
Variety’s national Makeup Free Day will raise funds for children across Australia who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.
For Ms Soopaul, who is studying a Bachelor of Science with the aim of becoming a doctor of physiotherapy, the fundraising is part of her “beauty with a purpose“ mission.
She and her family migrated from Mauritius about seven years ago.
Ms Soopaul said the campaign not only helped Variety at a time when COVID-19 had made fundraising difficult, but aimed to send a message.
“It’s going to initiate being comfortable in your own skin and make it more normalised … not always have that pressure to be dolled up,“ she said.
Ms Soopaul is one of 17 state finalists through to the next stage of the Miss World pageant, which is currently on hold.
She also competed for the 2019 title, raising the most money (more than $8500) of any Victorian contestant for Variety.
To support the campaign or for more information, visit www.makeupfreeday.com
