Miss England 2022

October 7, 2022
Hair Products & Cosmetics
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Miss England 2022 with Emily Harrison

My Hair and Beauty are delighted to support Emily Harrison in her pursuit to become Miss England this month. We asked Emily a few questions about her beauty routine and of course why she decided to enter the pageant, read on for her un-edited answers.

1. What made me want to take part in Miss England?

I always had this idea of what a beauty pageant is. That it was just that, all about beauty. I never thought in my younger years I’d stand a chance in a contest like this. I always thought I’m ‘too small’ to be a model, so it’s not something that really crossed my mind as I had the idea we had to be tall! I didn’t think there was even a niche for petite models & I also didn’t have a clue about what’s involved. Little did I know it’s much more than beauty and there are so many ways for contestants to compete, plus Miss England are the only contest to have no height restrictions.

In my 20’s I started to properly find myself in terms of what I wear, how I do my hair, how I self-care. I’ve always had a passion for dressing stylish, wearing dresses, wedges, & I love to take photos. Whenever I’m not working or studying, I use my time to dress nice, as it makes you feel good! That was initially partly why I entered paired with the fact I wanted to do something where I felt I’d be making a difference and have a purpose. I took the leap to apply for Miss England back in July. I thought, why couldn’t I do it? And I was intrigued to know what was actually involved in the process.

I knew of Miss England for a long time. My cousin used to do pageants as a young girl & I’d watch the American pageant programmes on TV. I did dream what it would be like entering a pageant and gaining a title as a young girl! Coming into the contest, learning about all of the different rounds and seeing how it’s so much more than beauty and modelling, I am so glad I made the decision to apply.

You do need to know how to catwalk, enjoy posing and be able to wear heels, I’ve loved learning properly, yet from a talent round to a bare face no-make up round with Cetuem Cosmetics where we can promote natural beauty, a beautiful hair round with the company Artero, there is a lot to get involved in and use our voices for so much more than just showing our beauty! There are so many talented girls and so much culture to embrace within the contest from everyone’s different backgrounds. From when I first applied to where I am now, I have been on a journey. I have had so many brilliant opportunities I am grateful to the Miss England team for. Performing at SolaAir Sequin Walls & the Coventry cultural Mela, I have took part in fundraising, litter picking and busking, raising over £700 so far for various charities, and participated in an intense sports round in Leicester! I have been able to visit different cities and meet so many inspiring women I have gained as friends for a lifetime. Entering the contest has enabled me to build my platform on social media using my voice to express the views I have, raise awareness on important topics to me and inspire others throughout my Miss England journey and through my music. My sister was also a contestant, she didn’t make it to the finals but has continued to be heavily involved, coming with me as my plus one to all of the events, busking for charity with me and thoroughly supporting me. My mom and siblings are very supportive, always sharing on social media and attending any events. I have 11 younger siblings. My mom even has the My Hair And Beauty advert as her Whatsapp profile photo!

2. Is this your first time in a beauty competition?

This is my first time in a beauty contest. When I applied, I was at a point where I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, I had been through a lot of study, I’m qualified in Level 2 Music Performance and Level 3 Business, currently studying Level 4 Computer Science at University and I’ve been through different jobs simultaneously, most recently working in recruitment. I wanted to do something I enjoyed where I could express myself. Apart from travelling in my spare time, I haven’t done much of my hobbies since college 8 years ago. I’ve always loved to sing, perform, dance and act, be in front of a camera - ask my mom at 3 years old I was singing barbie girl with a towel on my head in heels and a handbag! We watch back at the video in laughter. When I was younger, I took part in different things like CBSO children’s choir, acting classes at the Hippodrome and I was chosen for private singing lessons in school after auditioning, I went on to perform at Symphony Hall and the Town Hall, doing different music workshops and then went on to music college. My family even took part in a BBC teeth documentary! I thought Miss England would be something interesting to apply for, I believed I could do it, but I never thought this time three months ago I’d be a finalist! I encourage all other girls to do the same and follow their dreams

3. What make up brands do you use? Cleansers?

There are so many make-up brands I use. For a long time I have been a Glossybox subscriber! This helped me to try different products and see what works for me, testing surprise products they’d put in the box. So, I often mix and match what I use, having various brands to make use of. Both skin and make-up products. I also like to shop at TK Maxx as they have a range of make-up at discounted prices. On a regular basis, I’m using Rimmel ‘Brow This way’ Eyebrow kit, Beauty Pie Supercheek Elastic Powder Blush & Give Them Lala Beauty Bronzer & GOSH Precious Pearls. I always use cruelty-free products and try to use organic where I can. I use P20 Riemann 30 SPF Sunscreen spray, then wait 15 minutes to prime. I switch between Satin Soft Blurring Primer & Finishing Fix, & Avant Pro-Perfecting Collagen Primer. I use Figs & Rouge Wonder Love Sea Pearl Halo Dew Drops. When I feel like wearing lashes, I go for Tatti Lashes. I like to get lash lifts and brow lams too! I used to get lashes professionally done but I prefer being able to take them off at night! I don’t use foundation in my routine, but I have a SHEGLAM foundation from Shein in my make-up box which provides really good coverage but also breathable. I love trying all types of lip products, at the moment I’m using Nudestix Cream Lip & Cheek Pencil, Mac Matte Lipstick ‘Down To An Art’ Shade, topped with Nivea Vanilla and Macadamia Lip Butter as it’s coming up to the cold weather! I top it all off with Kandi Cosmetics Pre Glow Up Mist and NYX Matte Finish Make Up Setting Spray. If you want to know perfume, my favourite at the moment is Ghost Orb of Night, Eau De Parfum! I have a whole shelf of perfume & also love Victoria Secrets Temptation Fragrance Mist. I have many brands in my make-up vanity case, & with 7 younger sisters, I have to keep up with collecting lots of make-up to share! From Bobbi Brown and Technic, to Illamasqua and Huda Beauty, I’ve got a brand for every occasion as I love collecting make-up. I also always look after my hair and regularly use Moroccan Oil Treatment & Herbal Essences Frizz Control Oil Mist. When I style, I use Morgan & Grace Smooth Hair Primer Pre Styler with Coconut Oil & OGX heat protect spray. I also like SmileTime Tooth whitening pen for a top up!

4. Do you have a morning and evening beauty regime.

People are always shocked to hear I’m 25, so I’d like to think I’m doing something right being told I don’t look a day over 16! I do have a routine, I love to regularly take care of my skin, especially as we can get break-outs and have skin changes at any time. At the moment, I’m using a Super Facialist branded Retinol cleanser in the morning purchased from TK Maxx, exfoliate with Nip & Fab Vitamin C Scrub Fix, and then use Clean & Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion & VEGAN By Happy Skin Toner which I apply with the cotton pads I was gifted at the Miss England semi finals from Paks Cosmetics. Then I use Figs & Rouge Clarity Serum, prior to using a personalised three step set which includes a cleanser, daily doser and retinol moisturiser cream called Skin and Me which is specially made online. I use that cleanser in the evening. This was something I wanted to try out when I heard of it a couple of months ago on offer for the first month. I love to find beauty deals and bargains, always on the hunt for high quality, well-priced products. I have only started using retinol this year, I’ve done a lot of reading that it’s probably best to be using it! I tend to try different products to see what works and often change or add new products into my daily routine. I do the same on the evening, except I also use wipes when I’ve worn make up. I also use Dr Botanical Pomegranate sleeping mask, & wash it off in the morning, as well as using James Read H2O face-tanning drops. Our skin and needs constantly change so it’s good to keep up with new product trends.

5. If you were to win Miss England… what’s next? And what you looking forward to?

To win would be a dream. From when I applied, I have been so focused on taking part I haven’t even thought about winning! All of the girls support each other which I absolutely adore, we are all rooting for one another. If I were to win, I’d continue to be a voice for people, like young girls of my working class background, inspiring young people to believe in themselves and achieve. I have plans to set up a foundation helping people who struggle with mobility aid costs, working with one of my sponsors, and I would like to travel to Eastern Europe to help Ukrainians while there is still the war. It is heartbreaking what they are going through. I’d love to be able to make a difference. I’d like to do talks at schools to promote recycling & WASUP as I think it’s important for children to be educated on the impacts litter has on our environment. I also hope to bring out an album, my first EP I am working on, being a singer and song writer and hope for people to be able to meaningfully relate to my music.

I’m looking forward to the two day final sponsored by Dentakay and all the rounds still to participate in, like Beautiful Brows make-up tutorials and the WASUP Queen Of The Decades Round where I will wear a recycled outfit I make myself at the charity ball!