Maura Higgins goes bare faced on Instagram as she encourages women to 'be confident'

The influencer and former Love Island contestant (30) bared her natural face in an emotional post on Instagram, posing in a simple black satin robe and drawing attention to her glowing skin. Accompanying Maura’s photo was a lengthy caption about the dangers and detrimental effects of social media on young women. “RAW ... like many of us, there are so many times I stop to read the nasty comments in my DMs or online and every single time I can’t help but think of the younger generation stepping on the social media bandwagon!”

“Us women especially get criticised day in and day out about our body’s, hair, makeup, skin...I could go on forever,” she continued. “I am very lucky to be confident inside & out and I want to empower women to do the same.” She warns her followers of the pressures placed on young girls from social media apps, explaining that filters make us feel as though we aren’t worthy on our own: “We don’t need to use filters or apps, being yourself is more than enough.” She urges readers not only to be kind to others but to take time to be kind to themselves. “Be comfortable and proud in your own skin,” said the Longford beauty. The vulnerable post was met with overwhelming support from friends and followers alike. Rozanna Purcell flooded the comments with hearts and applause emojis, while fitness influencer Maeve Madden commented “REAL is RARE”.

Maura is not the first Love Island alum to preach kindness to followers after leaving the villa. Co-star Molly-Mae Hague shut down nasty trolls who relentlessly body-shamed her last summer. While vacationing in Ibiza, shots of the 21-year-old in a bikini were shared on Twitter with vicious accompanying comments. Molly-Mae snapped back at the bullies, tweeting: “I would genuinely love to know who writes these comments? Like how can you actually write s**t like that and sleep at night? Beyond me.”