Mariana Mendes was born with a unique birthmark that covers a large part of her face. The birthmark covers part of her nose, her right cheek and her right eye. What Mariana has is actually called a congenital melanocytic nevus. This condition affects 1 in every 20.000 babies. The condition is caused by increased amounts of pigment beneath the skin, which makes the area darker.
Mariana’s mom was worried that her daughter will be bullied for her birthmark. When she was only 5, she underwent a laser surgery treatment in order to reduce the nevus.
Having a birthmark on her face didn’t stop the gorgeous Mariana becoming a model in order to make a powerful statement about what it means to be beautiful.
“I feel more beautiful and totally different from other people because I have a nevus. There are many people who stare and who don’t like it, but I don’t care. I have been told by a few people that it’s “ugly” or “strange”, but it doesn’t bother me. That’s just their opinion and I think it’s beautiful. A lot of people ask me about my birthmark, sometimes they think it’s makeup or a tattoo, but I don’t mind and explain it to them. I’m proud of having a nevus, it’s a part of who I am and how I learn to like myself,” says Mariana.
