beauty

The self-described 'bearded dame' is back. And now, she's a bride.

UPDATE: Earlier this year, we wrote about self-described ‘bearded dame’ Harnamm Kaur. Now, she’s proven that brides can definitely rock a beard on their wedding day.

Kaur, 24, makes no apologies for her full beard, which is a result of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Image via Instagram @harnaamkaur

She’s already made a name for herself as a body-positive advocate, but she recently took it to the next level, by taking part in a bridal photo shoot.

The shoot was created for wedding dress brand Cutting Edge Brides, and Kaur’s beard was a key part of her bridal style – in fact, it was accentuated with flowers in an effort to celebrate her unique look.

Image via Instagram @harnaamkaur

Kaur spoke about her beard and her life philosophy in an interview with Rock ‘N Roll Bride:

We are all imperfectly perfect. I wanted to show society that beauty isn’t just about looking a certain way, we are all so different and we should all celebrate our individuality. I used to keep my beard for religious reasons, but now I keep my hair to show the world a different, confident, diverse and strong image of a woman. I love my beard, it has become a part of my body and I do not want to remove it. Love yourself, YOU are the only YOU that YOU have.

The purpose of the shoot was to prove that beauty is not restricted to “perfect” slim supermodels.

Image via Instagram @harnaamkaur

You do you, Harnamm.

Mamamia previously wrote:

“I love my beard. I say it with pride.”

Harnamm Kaur is genuinely proud of her beard. Even though she’s been bullied or ridiculed for her prominent facial hair most of her life, Kaur wears her physical difference with pride.

“I love my beard, I can’t describe to you how much strength she has given me, just to be who I am,” she told Radio National’s program Life Matters this week.

Harnamm Kaur talks about self-empowerment in her YouTube video below.

 

At age 11, Kaur was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).  PCOS is a condition that affects 5-10% of re-productively active Australian women. One of the leading side-effects of the condition is excessive hair growth.

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The now 24-year-old began growing facial hair while she was at high-school. She was teased for the growing wisps on her chin and cheeks, even before she really noticed them herself.

“Going into school every day was a horrible ordeal and I hated school, I didn’t like education. My friends were supportive to a point, but I felt that they didn’t understand truly what I was going through,” she told Radio National.

The bullying led to depression and suicidal thoughts. You see, Kaur was also born into a Sikh family and the faith prohibits the removal of bodily hair. While she admits to trying to shave her facial hair early in puberty, it simply came back stronger and thicker.

So at age 16, Kaur decided she’d just grow the beard out and live with it. A pretty brave decision for a young woman who has to show up at high school every day and be faced with the torturously cruel taunts of other teenagers.

Kaur says it took her eight years but she finally found a way to love herself, just as she is.

“One thing you need to realise is not one of us is born the same. We are born perfect,” she says. “Once you find inner love… that’s the second, that is the moment that you will find what people say to you doesn’t really matter.”

Kaur now refers to herself as the ‘Bearded Dame’ and works as a teacher aide in the hope she can encourage children to accept diversity and keep an open mind.

Watch as Harnamm Kaur talks about how she came to accept her beard.