Beauty in the words of iReporters

Emmaly Manchanthasouk will tell anyone who asks that she's a nerd. She loves computers and works hard in her classes but the twenty-something says she sometimes has to convince people to take her seriously.

"When I was a freshman and a sophomore I actually dressed down." Manchanthasouk said she eschewed her prefered clothing in favor of the sweatpants worn by her classmates. Over time she's become more confident "I want to show the world that you can be a nerd and also still look pretty cool too."

Manchanthasouk and dozens of other iReporters chimed in with their stories and experiences as part of CNN's coverage on changing concepts of beauty.  Many had painful stories, some funny ones but everyone provided distinct ideas and experiences.