Have you ever looked at someone and thought they were beautiful and unusual at the same time? We all come in different shapes and sizes, so there are many forms that beauty can take. Although some people are judgmental toward those who look different from them, there's no need to feel bad about your freckles or love handles!
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and care. No one should feel marginalized or ashamed of what they look like. The people featured below have overcome difficulties to achieve great success in their lives. They can be inspiring to others who feel that their own looks don’t fall into standard notions of beauty – or feel that the standard notions need to grow!
Ginger Curls of Coralie Jouhier
Carolie's mother was from Martinique, and her father was from Senegal. When Carolie was young, she was criticized in the black community because of her red hair. Her family moved around a lot when she was young but eventually settled down in Paris.
Carolie's mother was from Martinique, and her father was from Senegal. When Carolie was young, she was criticized in the black community because of her red hair. Her family moved around a lot when she was young but eventually settled down in Paris.
Waardenburg Syndrome of Ketellen de Jesus
Ketellen Silva de Jesus is a Brazilian girl who was born with blue eyes and Waardenburg syndrome. At first, her mother assumed that she was somebody else's child because all her family members had dark eyes. Besides her syndrome, her mother also discovered that she was deaf.
When Ketellen became viral on social media, a Brazilian photographer invested in her and made her a fashion model. No, she models for magazines. Uniqueness can indeed overcome struggles. We wish her luck on this journey. Way to go, little girl!
Albinism of Stephen Thompson
Stephen is a young man from Brooklyn who used to perform jazz in his piano bar. He has albinism, making him stand out even more than just having good looks and a sculpted jaw. Some people think of him as an angel because of his looks.
Stephen was an aide in a center for the vision-impaired called Lighthouse, where he worked with kids who also had albinism. He also shared that his passions were art and music. Stephen became well known when he became the face of the 2011 spring collection of Givenchy.
Androgyny Casey Legler
Casey Legler is an androgynous model recognized as both male and female. She has no fear of taking on an artist's role and using her body as performance art. She wants to help young people learn about accepting others by modeling in clothes traditionally worn by men.
Legler’s popularity grew after appearing in a video that showed her performing both feminine and masculine facial gestures and bodily poses. This allowed viewers to appreciate how gender roles can change based upon perception.
Moles of Evita Delmundo
Twenty-year-old Evita Delmundo was born with moles all over her body. She struggled as a child because people kept bullying her over her appearance. Eventually, she learned to love herself despite being different from others.
As she grew more comfortable in her skin, she decided to compete for Miss Universe Malaysia 2018. Nowadays, she feels much more confident and secure in herself – both inside and outside. "It took time understanding that what's on our faces doesn't define who we are," said Evita.
Birthmark of Cassandra Naud
Cassandra is a professional dancer in Los Angeles. The birthmark on her face is called a nevus, which is a pigmented patch of skin. Her parents chose not to remove it after the doctor said it would be too risky for her at such a young age.
Despite the bullying she experienced growing up, Naud has grown to love herself and accept her birthmark. Her one-of-a-kind beauty has gained positive reactions in her industry – as well as on social media, where she has thousands of followers.
Vitiligo of Winnie Harlow
Winnie Harlow is a 27-year-old Jamaican-Canadian that has vitiligo. She was a former America's Next Top Model Contestant and an activist. When young, she experienced a lot of negative reactions from other people. Nowadays, she aims to be a spokesperson who raises awareness about vitiligo.
After being eliminated from America's Next Top Model, Harlow took on a new role as the face of Desigual. She modeled for different brands, including Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Diesel. But for Winnie, her biggest achievement was when she walked in the 2018 Victoria's Secret show.
Unibrow of Sophia Hadjipanteli
Sophia Hadjipanteli's eyebrows are naturally blonde, but she has tinted them black. The 22-year-old Greek Cypriot American decided to tint them not only as a way to fix her eyebrows but also as a way to spark conversations all over the world.
Her Cyprian genetics are the reason for her naturally thick eyebrows. Although she gets abused online by trolls, she is still pushing her body-positive campaign and has amassed an astounding amount of followers on Instagram. Let us learn from her confident attitude!
Long and Fluffy Hair of Baby Chanco
Chanco is a six-month-old baby girl who was born with thick black hair. Her parents expected her silky hair to become lighter over time, just like other babies who were hairy early on but lost their locks at around 32 to 36 weeks old.
However, Chanco continued to have magnificent fluffy hair! This has made social media fall head over heels for her. Pantene, the hair care company, has jumped on board and offered her a modeling gig. She is also the star of a short video ad titled "The Hairy Tale."
Heterochromia of Sarai Lewis
Sarai Lewis' eyes are what make her stand out. The model was born with heterochromia, which means that one eye has a different color than the other one. It's an incredibly rare genetic trait that makes her beauty stand out in the fashion world!
Her unique features also include strong cheekbones and full lips that are perfect for modeling. It’s not just her extraordinary face that makes Sarai a great model – she also has a curvy and athletic body that photographers and fans adore.
Albino Beauty of Diandra Forrest
Diandra Forrest is an American model and famous media personality. At the age of eighteen, her modeling career began with a bang – she was the first albino female to be the face of various popular brands and modeling agencies.
Diandra started discussing albinism with people all over the world. She wants other people to understand what it’s really like to be albino, so she uses her social media accounts to raise awareness. Now, people have started noticing albino individuals in their own societies because of Diandra and other albino models.
Vivid Blue Eyes of Allison Harvard
Allison Elizabeth Harvard is a supermodel, actress, and internet celebrity who has appeared on magazine covers around the world. She was known as a runner-up in season 12 of America's Next Top Model and during ANTM All-Stars. In addition to being an international model, she has also acted in an independent film Insensate.
When Allison first entered the ANTM competition, she was criticized for her big, round eyes, which didn’t fit the fashion industry norms of the time. However, things have changed – now she’s wildly successful!
Androgynous Face of Willy Cartier
Willy Cartier was born in Paris, France. His mother and father are French, but he also has Vietnamese and Senegalese roots. He is a popular androgynous model. The fact that his look can be male or female has become a major asset for him in various modeling companies.
Cartier’s first modeling projects appeared in magazines like Vogue Hommes Japan and GQ Style Germany. When he became one of the faces of Givenchy, he then starred in countless editorials and advertisements as well. His gorgeous features are one of a kind!
Vitiligo of Sem Kobelyan
Sem Kobelyan is a Russian model who has vitiligo. His illness affects his face and eyebrows, but it doesn't lessen his perfect features. We think there are plenty of others out there who are like Sem – beautiful even though they're different.
He's very active on Russian-speaking forums and social media sites like Facebook. This helps him meet new friends in Russia and around the world. Sem also has a passion for music – a musician with a perfect face! It looks like someone nailed perfection.
Cat Eye Syndrome of Caitin Stickles
Caitin Stickles is a 29-year-old model and artist who suffers from a rare genetic disorder known as Cat Eye Syndrome. Her condition causes an iris deficiency that can lead to uneven eyesight and splitting in the eye tissue – the latter results in hyperpigmentation.
The start of her fame came when photographer Nick Knight featured her in V Magazine. Although Caitin enjoyed the exposure and career opportunity, she didn't want others to focus solely on her unique features – she also wanted to highlight the art she was portraying.
The Many Piercings of Elaine Davidson
According to the Guinness World Records, Elaine Davidson is the "Most Pierced Woman.” In 2000, when she was initially examined for the record, the judges concluded that she had 462 piercings in total, 192 of which were on her face.
Over the years, that number grew rapidly. By 2011, it was reported that she had about 6,925 piercings in total – including over 500 in her genital area. Can you believe that? Davidson currently resides in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she has a tattoo and hair braiding shop.
Albino Brothers Ivanishvili
Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili has two sons, Bera and Tsotne. Both of them were born with albinism. The most well-known son is Bera. He is a singer, rapper, and songwriter brought to prominence by creating songs for his dad’s political campaigns. Tsotne is less fond of the spotlight and generally keeps a lower profile.
However, both of them have shown up in a variety of social media posts and publications. Isn't it amazing how this genetic mutation has given life to not just one but two beautiful souls?
EDS Skin Condition of Sara Geurt
Youthfulness and roundness are common elements in beauty standards, but Sara doesn't think that's what everyone should strive for! The 28-year-old model proudly flaunts her skin, encouraging everyone to accept and love their unique beauty.
Sarah Geurt has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which causes a lack of collagen on the skin. However, this skin condition didn't stop Sarah from achieving her dreams. Her definition of what makes someone beautiful doesn't involve any cosmetic surgery or anything at all! Self-esteem will make you attractive.
Ears of Arina Lubiteleva
When it comes to Arina, you can't help but notice her large ears. Some might think that her ears can be a distraction on the stage, but for Arina, it's not. The girl is proudly showcasing them during modeling shoots for different brands all around Ukraine.
Arina's imperfections have contributed to her confidence. Not only does she show how beautiful her ears are, but she also tells other people that everyone doesn't need 'perfect' features because beauty can come in all shapes and sizes.
Prosthetic Leg of Devon Gallagher
Despite having only one leg, 23-year-old Devon Gallagher is living her best life. You can clearly see that in the photo. She was born with a congenital bone disease that caused the amputation of her right leg at age four.
Despite all her hardships, she continues to share motivational messages on social media for others who may need inspiration in tough times. For example, Devon documented her travels through Europe by writing the names of the countries she visited on her prosthetic leg.
Dwarfism of Dru Presta
Growing up with dwarfism in Reno, Nevada, was difficult. That's what Dru Presta experienced. She was bullied for fifteen years because of a rare condition called achondroplasia.
At the age of 17, Dru moved to New York City and started working for modeling agencies. When she was 21 years old, she eventually became successful as a model and studied fashion marketing. Not only does she have an amazing body, but this woman knows how to dress!
The Gapped Teeth of Simone Thompson
Simone Thompson, best known as Slick Woods, is a fashion model and actress with tattoos, a bald head, and gapped teeth. She had hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and was part of the "Instagirl" modeling movement.
The case of Simone's gapped teeth is called diastema. It is not permanent, but due to a lack of knowledge, she brushed it off. Simone had a difficult childhood which included being homeless and having an incarcerated mother. Despite those setbacks, she has managed to be a huge success!
Sly Eyes of Devon Aoki
Born in 1982 with incredible talent and stunning facial features, it is no surprise that Devon Aoki has since become one of Versace's most iconic brand ambassadors – and one of the shortest models to walk at their fashion show!
The slight pout in her lips mixed with her sharp eyes have become a huge calling card when doing photoshoots. Alongside her modeling career, she has also become famous for her acting skills in films like 2 Fast 2 Furious and Sin City.
Matte Black Color of Duckie Thot
A black woman has broken the mold in an industry that light-skinned women dominate. Duckie Thot is a South Sudanese model and actress who was born in Australia. She decided to move to Brooklyn to find a job.
Thot has quickly grown beyond your average model to become a star in her own right. Why? Alongside her beauty, she’s lively on camera and has a kind attitude and personality. It's no wonder why so many people are following this rising beauty!
Freckles of Ralph Souffrant
Ralph Souffrant is an inspiration to young people who are not only learning about diversity but celebrating it as well. He never let the stares or teasing stop him from living his truth, and now, he inspires others through fashion.
He always wanted to be a dermatologist, but one day the photographer Aaron Taylor saw him in a Brooklyn park. Shortly thereafter, Souffrant was able to secure a modeling gig. Ralph is now pleased with his new life and thankful for his freckles.
Down Syndrome of Mikayla Holmgren
The landscape of beauty pageants is changing, and it's all because of a woman with Down syndrome who took part in the recent Miss USA pageant. She not only took part in it (a milestone by itself), she also won two awards!
Down syndrome is a genetic disease that many people look at with pity. However, that doesn’t make them any less beautiful – and that's exactly what Mikayla proves! In fact, after winning a Miss USA state pageant, she was also invited to take part in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. Talk about confidence!
Skin Pigmentation of Maeva Marshall
When 20-year-old French fashion model Maeva Giani Marshall suffered a stroke, she took medicine to recover her liver. However, the medication caused an allergic reaction, and she suffered a second-degree burn when sunlight hit her face.
What looks like freckles are actually flash burns – and they’ve been an unexpected boon for her modeling career. She is now part of the 'freckle movement' that helps highlight unique forms of beauty that can inspire others. Nowadays, you can find her at fashion events doing catwalks for the fashion industry.
Unearthly Beauty of Tsunaina
The way this girl looks is unlike anyone else on Earth! Her nose bridge is almost like some kind of intergalactic Avatar, and her unique feline eyes are captivating. We bet you feel like you've stepped on another planet after seeing her.
Tsunaina was discovered by Pat McGrath, a famous makeup artist. She then became a muse for Mothership, a makeup collection inspired by outer space. The model also appears in Christian Dior and Harper's Bazaar KZ magazine. Besides modeling, Tsunaina is also a musician.
Pointy Ears of Molly Bair
The gawky ears pictured below made Molly Bair stand out from the crowd and capture people's attention. Bair thinks that beauty comes from uniqueness, so she never tries to hide her ears. In fact, she always tucks her hair back for people to see her uncommon beauty.
She was discovered in late 2014 by staff at The Society Management, a modeling agency. At first, Molly thought it was a scam – but after searching online, she quickly found out the agency was quite prestigious. Now, she is a famous model who has worked for Chanel, Prada, and Vogue Italia.
The One Arm of Debbie van der Putten
When Debbi was in a bus accident while traveling with her friends, she thought that the world had ended for her. Her self-esteem plummeted, and she didn't know how to get back up again. Over time, however, her courage continued to grow until she had enough to pursue modeling.
Debbi joined TV shows and modeling competitions while still working her career in tourism. Eventually, she was given a chance to work with an agency that specializes in diversity campaigns meant to challenge standard notions of beauty.
Doe Eyes of Ellia Sophia
With her unique eye shape and spacing, Ellia Sophia was destined to become a top model. Her hauntingly beautiful face gave her an ethereal look that’s unlike anything we’ve seen before. Now she's a huge success in the modeling world, and plenty of magazines shower her with praise and opportunities.
While society may not consider her look to be beautiful, this young lady proudly displayed it on screen and on the runway. She's proving that people don't need conventional beauty standards when modeling. Career success is for everyone.
Robotic Legs of Aimee Mullins
Aimee Mullins has overcome the odds to become one of America's most inspiring women. She is an accomplished actress, model, and athlete. Aimee was born without her lower legs (the result of a medical condition), but that didn't stop her from accomplishing her dreams.
Her drive for success inspires us to believe that anything can be accomplished with the right determination. We can't wait until Aimee becomes famous in other industries as well. We know there are no limits to what she can do!
Thick Facial Hair of Harnaam Kaur
Harnaam was 16 years old when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Living with the disease has caused Harnaam to learn to embrace all that she is. Her thick facial hair and body positivity are just two ways this girl is proving herself to be a strong member of society.
From modeling and Instagram celebrity status, she's well known all over social media for embracing her natural beauty. The world needs more people like her fighting against social norms about beauty standards.
The Brown and Blue Eyes of Danielle Kroon
Kroon is a Dutch model with heterochromia who has been lucky enough to be crowned the face of Limburg. Soon after, she gained public recognition and started being spotted at events all across Europe.
Kroons's eyes are captivating— one brown eye meets another blue one in an intriguing contrast that’s hard to ignore. She opted to pursue modeling full-time after pursuing her degree in medicine. Kroon then became one of those models that everyone sees on TV shows and magazine covers.
The Snowy Style of Nastya Zhidkova
Nastya Zhidkova was born with albinism—a rare genetic condition that results in bodies with light pigmentation. Her skin, hair, and eyebrows are all white, leaving her with an angelic-like appearance. Despite that, she was subject to vicious bullying and mocking at a young age.
However, this Ukrainian beauty rose above all expectations. Through her unique features and hard work, she has developed a successful modeling career! Now, people from around the world love her photogenic and graceful look.
Long Legs of La Ostergren
La Ostergren has astonishingly long legs. She is 5 feet 10 inches tall, but her legs take up 3 feet 4 inches of that! Although many peers thought her long legs made her unfit for modeling, she decided to pursue it anyway and now has a glamorous career.
This leggy beauty overcame struggles and depression partly through the help of exercise. In 2013, she became a bodybuilder. Soon after, she decided to enter modeling. Now everyone is praising her long legs.
Ethereal Face of Maria Oz
Maria Oz has a unique beauty with an ethereal appearance that captivates the audience. In 2016, she started posting pictures and illustrations on Instagram. It started as a way to pass boredom, but surprisingly it rocketed her to success.
She captured the hearts of her 117,000 followers on Instagram. Although some accused her of editing her eyes using software and filters, they turned out to be her real eyes. Maria Oz is now an accomplished model who has worked with brands such as Elle Magazine and Bulgari.
Stunning Freckles of Lotte Zuidema
Zuidema is a high-fashion model with an interesting face that has served as the perfect muse for many designers. Her features are not what society deems to be beautiful, but this only adds to her allure because, in today's world, beauty standards are changing constantly.
Zuidemas's appearance creates a sense of nostalgia and romance. Lots of runways and fashion companies are taking notice because they love a classic vibe. Many photographers find her freckles unique and charming, and we agree with that.
Impressive Curves of Tess Holliday
When it comes to body positivity, there is no one more well-known than Tess Holliday. When this model was growing up in an abusive environment, she was constantly bullied and shamed by her classmates for being obese.
Although Tess's life was often filled with sorrow, her mother still encouraged her to follow her dreams. Tess mustered the courage to try out for modeling agencies in hopes of being recognized by the public. Nowadays, you can find this gorgeous woman in magazines showcasing her impressive curves and Dolly Parton tattoos.
Facial Cleft of Ilka Bruhl
Ilka Bruhl was born with a rare genetic disorder called ectodermal dysplasia that left her with a facial cleft. Alongside health conditions, this made her social life difficult. She found it difficult to make friends and often had low self-confidence.
So far, Ilka has already endured ten operations on top of endless bullying. However, she has pulled through and become a successful actress who is a strong advocate for others. It's amazing to see Ilka Brühl in the spotlight after all of her difficulties.