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15 Instagram Accounts That Are Redefining Beauty Standards

These refreshingly body-positive women will have you ditching your insecurities -- as well as that go-to filter you rely on
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Cassandra Naud
Follow: @cassandranaud

No need for cover up here! This pro dancer, who was born with a large, hair-covered birthmark under her right eye, owns the stage and Instagram, thanks to a body positive attitude that leads her to proudly proclaim she was "born to stand out." Indeed, not only has she racked up more than 37,000 followers thanks in part to her unique look, she's used it to her advantage in her career. "I feel like it's been such a positive thing in my life," she said of her birthmark in an interview with People Magazine. "It helps me be more memorable, which is super important in this industry as a performer."

Image via Instagram @cassandranaud

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Jillian Mercado
Follow: @jilly_peppa

Peep this leather-jacket wearing, platinum blonde's pics when you're in need of edgy style inspo. Watch her #SundaysWithPeppa video series when you've fallen down the Instagram vortex and need a little reality check beyond the social media world of filtered perfection. Recent topics @jilly_peppa, who is wheelchair-bound due to muscular dystrophy, has covered in the quick clips include overcoming her body insecurities and reminding her followers that if she can hit up a public gym, "there's no excuse for [them] to not finish that workout." #RealTalk.

Image via Instagram @jilly_peppa

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Melanie Gaydos
Follow: @melaniegaydos

Born with ectodermal dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder that can prevent pores, teeth and small bones from developing normally, this 28-year-old didn't let her condition prevent her from pursuing modeling. She also didn't let the fact that she has alopecia and is partially blind slow her down either, deciding to take to Craigslist to look for potential modeling gigs. Since then, she's gone on to pose for i-D and Galore and walk the runway at New York Fashion Week -- as well as wow us with stunning IG pics that have helped her pick up an impressive 132K followers.

Image via Instagram @melaniegaydos

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Brunette Moffy
Follow: @moffygathornehardy

This cross-eyed model got the fashion world to start seeing so-called physical imperfections in a new light -- and she might do the same for you, too. A friend helped launch Moffy's modeling career when she recommended the London-born gal to Pop Magazine's editor, who was looking to shoot non-models. The result? Not only did Moffy land the cover, but she snagged a contract with Storm Models (that's the agency that signed such mega-models as Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne, in case you're keeping track.) Peep her Insta for fashion-forward shots from her campaigns, as well as a friendly reminder that the things that set us apart from others can, in fact, be beautiful.

Image via Instagram @moffygathornehardy

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Shalice Ader
Follow: @heyshalice

"Just be yourself," is the tagline that greets Instagrammers who stumble upon Ader's account. And it doesn't take much scrolling to realize that this tenacious teen, who is bald due to alopecia, heeds her own advice. She forgoes wearing a wig but rarely poses without a smile as she strolls Hawaiian beaches and doles out the occasional inspirational quote in keeping with her oh-so-positive no hair, don't care attitude

Image via Instagram @heyshalice

BY ROSE CURIEL | JUL 26, 2017 | SHARES
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