Elle Brazil recently released their 27th anniversary May issue. Now, anyone can grace the cover of Elle. With a mirrored cover, the magazine literally reflects the face of each reader. The magazine also reflects on beauty with an editorial featuring eight unique women. Titled “Beautiful is to be different,” it shows the women’s distinct beauty and proves with their personal stories that the rules of the beauty ideal are there to be broken.

Get to know their stories.

NATHANE LACERDA, Model, 26. “I started modelling quite early, at age 14 and gradually, I started to like my freckles. They are my advantage. I am grateful to have them. “

NATASHA HOLLINGER, Photographer and artist , 28. “Since childhood, I’ve always been a tomboy, not caring much about beauty. Standards exist, but I do not care. “

VANESSA MENDES, Stylist and blogger, 32. “I suffered bullying during my childhood. But nowadays I feel I have a different beauty than what the fashion world imposes by force.”

LIANE KOHLRAUSCH, CEO of modelling agency L’equipe, 54. “In the past I [..] used botox, but now I think everyone has to accept their beauty. When you are not afraid of old age. I think everything is easier. You become more in harmony with your body, hair and skin. That’s very important. “

JULIANA ROMANO, Journalist and blogger, 26. “When I started working in beauty and fashion, it was a shock because in Brazil the term ‘plus size’ was not known. [..] It took time to accept me, but today I find myself beautiful. “

GEANINE MARQUES, Model, 42. “Every person has a charm. Even people considered ugly, bring something interesting. “

MAGA MOURA, Blogger and Nike ambassoder, 27. “I do not want to be another one in the crowd. I want to stand out. Everyone asks me who I inspires me. I am inspired to be myself. I look in the mirror and think [..]I am my biggest motivation. “

ANDREZA CAVALLI, Physical educator, 35. ” I think it’s beautiful when people are valued. So I like to be part of photo projects so that other albinos see it and are able to identify with their beauty. “

Stories translated from Elle Brazil, photography by Gustavo Lacerda.