This Bearded Bride Defies the Conventional Standards of Beauty

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that results in major hormonal imbalances. It is one of the most common endocrine disorders that affect women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS typically manifest with obesity, menstrual disorders, infertility, and hirsutism (i.e. abnormal growth of facial and body hair).

Due to the excessive hair growth that is evidently seen on the face and body of women with PCOS, many of them suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

But while most women are embarrassed with their appearance, a courageous woman named Harnaam Kaur embraced her “flaws” and defied the conventional standards of beauty.

Kaur was only 11 years old when her facial hair started growing.

In an interview with Rock N Roll Bride, Kaur said, “I used to have my face waxed two to three times a week…and on the days I couldn’t bare the pain I would simply shave.”

Despite having a supportive family, she admits that she often resorted to self-harm when she was younger. However, when she reached 16, she completely changed the way she viewed herself.

“The energy you are putting into ending your life, put all that energy into turning your life around and doing something better”, she said.

"I have now fallen in love with the elements on my body that people may call ‘flaws.’ ”

“I love my beard, my stretch marks, and my scars,”

A British photographer named Louisa Coulthurst was fascinated by Kaur’s beauty and attitude. She asked Kaur to model for her in her website called “Urban Bridesmaid”.

“I had always been intrigued by the thought of floral beards and a thought came to me of wouldn’t it be cool to have a floral beard on a woman,” Coulthurst said. “I emailed Harnaam and she was excited and wanted to get involved.”

"We are all imperfectly perfect", Kaur said.

“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.”

“These elements make me who I am, they make me whole, they make me complete."

“Love yourself, YOU are the only YOU that YOU have", Kaur said.

H/T: Buzzfeed, Medscape