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Hairy is the new black

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Woman with beard promotes message of ‘loving yourself’

Photo from The Daily Star

Appearing in a photography exhibition celebrating the world’s best facial hair, a British Sikh woman, who has grown a beard for seven years, is seeking to convey a public message to love yourself.

According to the Daily Mail, 23-year-old Harnaam Kaur, from Berkshire County, has been growing a beard since age 16 when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that causes excess hair growth.

After being bullied as a teen, the teaching assistant tried waxing, shaving and bleaching to hide her facial hair. However, once she was baptised a Sikh, a religion which forbids cutting body hair, Kaur decided to accept her body as it was.

“When I first started growing my beard it was for religious reasons but as the years have gone by I’ve kept it for more personal reasons… It makes me feel like a brave, confident woman who isn’t afraid to break society’s norms,” Kaur stated proudly.

Kaur is the only woman to appear in the collection of photographs after she spoke against those who criticised her appearance. She is one of 60 people chosen to appear in the exhibition called Project 60, which marks the launch of Beard Season, a non-profit organisation seeking to raise awareness of skin cancer by urging people to grow facial hair through winter.

“It’s incredible to be the only bearded woman among all these men. It makes me feel really strong,” Kaur said.

“Raising awareness for such a good cause is like a cherry on the top”.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from some truly amazing people and Harnaam is one of them. To have her on board is such an exciting prospect for us,” claimed photographer Brock Elbank.

“I like the fact that she has embraced having a beard and she’s very striking with it”.

Kaur’s portrait along with the other 59 portraits will be displayed in London later this year.

IANS

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