24-year-old Mariana Mendes from Brazil is an absolutely stunning young woman. But internet haters would (and have) gladly tell her something different because of one unique thing: a large, black birthmark on her face.

Mendes was born with a birthmark which covers part of her nose, her right eye, and her right cheek. The mark is called congenital melanocytic nevus, and it’s estimated to affect just one in every 20,000 babies. It’s caused by an increased amount of pigment beneath the skin, which makes the affected area look darker as a result.

When she was just five years old, Mendes was given a laser surgery treatment that doctors thought would reduce the nevus. It was her mother’s idea to try the surgery because she was afraid her daughter would be bullied for her birthmark. To her mom’s dismay, the surgery had very little effect and could not lighten the pigmented skin.

But as you can see below, the young stylist assistant from Juiz de Fora couldn’t be more proud of being different. In fact, just to make this incredibly clear to the internet, Mendes did a fabulous photo shoot showing off just how beautiful she is.