After years of hiding a prominent birthmark on her face, Paige Lauren Billiot now proudly highlights her facial difference. She was born with a port-wine stain birthmark on her face, ear, and neck, and now hopes to inspire others to embrace their imperfections.

Paige Lauren Billiot is Face Equality’s newest ambassador and in honor of Face Equality Week, we invited her on the podcast to talk about using art and creativity as a tool for social change! This year's theme is #MyFaceIsAMasterpiece, but we're taking it further and celebrating all visible and hidden differences with #MyBodyIsAMasterpiece.

Rachel and Paige talk about the challenges growing up with visible differences, how to craft a spicy response when strangers ask rude questions, and how to embrace our flaws (hey, we all have them!). Paige also shares how she started her Instagram, The Flawless Affect, her experiences working in Hollywood, and what advocacy projects she has in the works (including a doll with visible differences!).

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Paige Lauren Billiot is a birthmark advocate, model, and producer from Seattle, WA. Growing up in Las Vegas she began pursing her love for acting as a theatre major at Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts & International Studies. In 2014 she moved to Hollywood to create representation in the film and beauty industry for others who looked like her, facing industry resistance to her unique diversity. Undeterred, Paige carved her path on Instagram, using makeup, props, and VFX to celebrate her birthmark as her Superpower.

Her influence has been recognized in many magazines including Seventeen, Glamour, and Women's Health, earning her a spot on Glamour's "50 Instagrammers You Need To Follow Right Now."

When she isn’t advocating for the birthmark community, she loves taking her four cats on walks in their strollers, while expanding her chai tea latte palate and Scooby Doo collection.

• Follow Paige Lauren Billiot on Instagram (Flawless Affect)
• Learn more about Visible Difference & Disfigurement in the Arts
• Read “What is Face Equality”
• Access Our “Getting Back Out There, Tools for Social Empowerment” Course
• Follow Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors on Facebook
• Learn more about Face Equality Week
• Follow Face Equality International on Facebook

Today’s podcast is powered by one of our fire prevention partners, Telgian! Telgian is committed to providing effective and innovative fire protection, life safety and security programs. Learn more by visiting www.telgian.com.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.