It's not just a spectacle: Monika Radulovic in the National costume competition. Photo: Miss Universe Facebook
You'd be forgiven for thinking that Miss Universe was a theatrical spectacle of fake tan, false eyelashes and make up to put Ru Paul to shame.
But, the pageant organisers are attempting to challenge this perception.
This year, contestants have been encouraged to show that they are comfortable in the skin they're in.
In the lead up to the pageant (formerly owned by Donald Trump) on December 20, some of the 80-odd contestants have posted make-up free selfies to social media, alongside the hashtag #confidentlybeautiful.
"Today is a huge day; the@missuniverse preliminary competition," wrote Australian contestant, Monika Radulovic. "But before I do my makeup and hair, I wanted to post a no-makeup selfie to demonstrate that Miss Universe does not need makeup to be #confidentlybeautiful !!! Remember this: There is nothing more beautiful about a woman than the belief that she is beautiful."
Miss Universe Bahamas @Toria_Nichole 2015 Official Headshot pic.twitter.com/pgeMeNFXDk
— UnivParadeOfBeauties (@UPofBeauties)
December 13, 2015
Preliminaries today! Woke up fresh faced and ready to do this! @MissUniverse #MissUniverse #Confidentlybeautiful pic.twitter.com/Uucr04gSxK
— Toria Nichole (@Toria_Nichole)
December 16, 2015
Miss Universe Peru 2015 @lauraspoya Official Headshot pic.twitter.com/SdQ7iEuD2j
— UnivParadeOfBeauties (@UPofBeauties)
December 13, 2015
Natural beauty 👑💃 @MissUniverse #ConfidentlyBeautiful pic.twitter.com/vQN4sGbaiM
— Laura Spoya (@lauraspoya)
December 16, 2015
Joanna Cooper will represent Ireland at Miss Universe https://t.co/iaVcQomBaQ pic.twitter.com/YXq3iTjSB1
— PageantsNews.com (@PageantsNEWS)
November 28, 2015
My makeup free selfie in honour of the @MissUniverse confidently beautiful motto! #ConfidentlyBeautiful pic.twitter.com/pnhrC27dIK
— Joanna (@joannacoops)
December 17, 2015
#RT if Miss Dominican Republic @ClaryMolinaRD is your favorite for Miss Universe 2015! pic.twitter.com/sxiSEHa7if
— PageantsNews.com (@PageantsNEWS)
December 20, 2015
My best tool to compete is my inner beauty #MissUniverse #ConfidentlyBeautiful pic.twitter.com/VFOp6CuqL9
— Clarissa Molina (@ClaryMolinaRD)
December 16, 2015
#Missuniverse #ConfidentlyBeautiful #Argentina @MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/1Lf9bT4BiN
— Claudia Barrionuevo (@CLAUDIAMUA2015)
December 16, 2015
Contestant headshot are up! https://t.co/WHQKalFzoD pic.twitter.com/PZjuHUovYa
— Hilda Akua (@HildaAkua)
November 13, 2015
No makeup, no hair extensions #ConfidentlyBeautiful @MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/WRk8bQePOO
— Hilda Akua (@HildaAkua)
December 17, 2015
[VIDEO] Meet @MissUniverse South Africa, @R_FiFi_M. https://t.co/YL5lxKWgRt #MissUniverse2015 pic.twitter.com/tS7nxLJnQj
— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA)
November 17, 2015
Being @MissUniverse means being #ConfidentlyBeautiful. Are u?Show me ur no-makeup selfies wit #ConfidentlyBeautiful pic.twitter.com/h2iMSvZWxU
— SA's 1st PRINCESS (@R_FiFi_M)
December 16, 2015
@FrancesCipriani nos cuenta cómo se ha preparado para representarnos en el Miss Universo. Éxitos para nuestra Reina! pic.twitter.com/9PmKtxSwIX
— New Model Magazine (@nmodelmagazine)
December 10, 2015
Feeling amazing in my own skin. #ConfidentlyBeautiful #missuniverse #missuniverse2015 @MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/lBraEnwJjg
— Francesca Cipriani (@FrancesCipriani)
December 16, 2015
Fairfax Media