Trying to fit in as a woman in society can be a little difficult sometimes. If you want to follow the standards of "conventional" beauty, you have to dress a certain way, do your makeup to a particular standard, and - most painstakingly - make sure that practically every inch of your body is stripped of its natural hair.

However, more and more women these days are realizing that there's no real reason that we do this, and that having a natural body can look and feel just as good as (or better than) the hairless skin we dedicate so much time and money to.

One woman who's truly embraced this more than most is 26-year-old Nova Galaxia. Nova has a condition called PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - which actually affects between five and 10 per cent of women around the world, but hers is particularly severe. One of the symptoms of the condition is excess hair growth on the face and body, meaning that Nova is able to grow a pretty impressive beard.

For ten years, Nova shaved her face for fear of being bullied. And, when it first started growing through, she was teased by other kids at school.

"A boy in my class at high school pointed at my face and said I had a better beard than he probably ever would," she said.

"By this stage, I was shaving every single day before school. It was getting really thick and I would have a panic if I ever forgot my razor at sleepovers. I’d get up early and shave, pretending I was desperate for a shower, but really I couldn’t stand to let myself be seen with a beard."

Understandably, she was very conscious of her appearance, as we've all been told that facial hair is unnatural for women. In reality, the vast majority of women grow at least some facial hair - whether it be a light peach fuzz around the corners of the jaw or a full-on mustache - so it really isn't something to fret about.

"I was worried people would think I was a freak if I let my hair grow out."

So, when Nova met Ash - a runway model - she felt more pressure than ever to look her best. Ash, who does not identify as male or female, had an instant spark with Nova, and the two quickly became a couple.

After a while, Ash encouraged Nova to embrace her look - so she did. And Ash is a big fan of it. "I love her beard," they said.

However, they did add that the pair of them sometimes get strange looks or comments.

"Yes people do stop and stare at us, watch us walk down the street and ask Nova random questions to determine her gender, but she’s never been happier and that makes me proud. I adore her, beard and all."

Nova herself has faced a lot of online criticism from trolls, but she takes it in her stride.

"People have accused me of pretending to be a woman, or they think I’m transgender, but I don’t care. It’s not an insult to be trans, I’m just not – I’m a gay woman.

"Anyway, with my hipster beard, I feel happier now than I have ever been. I am with someone I love, who supports my decision and loves me for me and my beard. ‘I have no idea when I am going to stop growing it. It’s a part of me now, and I love it."

Kudos to Nova for embracing her natural look, despite what the haters might say. Nobody should be attacked or criticized because of the way they were made - and both Nova and Ash are giving hope to anyone else who might be self-conscious about some physical aspect they have.

 

 

 

 

Trying to fit in as a woman in society can be a little difficult sometimes. If you want to follow the standards of "conventional" beauty, you have to dress a certain way, do your makeup to a particular standard, and - most painstakingly - make sure that practically every inch of your body is stripped of its natural hair.

However, more and more women these days are realizing that there's no real reason that we do this, and that having a natural body can look and feel just as good as (or better than) the hairless skin we dedicate so much time and money to.

One woman who's truly embraced this more than most is 26-year-old Nova Galaxia. Nova has a condition called PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - which actually affects between five and 10 per cent of women around the world, but hers is particularly severe. One of the symptoms of the condition is excess hair growth on the face and body, meaning that Nova is able to grow a pretty impressive beard.

For ten years, Nova shaved her face for fear of being bullied. And, when it first started growing through, she was teased by other kids at school.

"A boy in my class at high school pointed at my face and said I had a better beard than he probably ever would," she said.

"By this stage, I was shaving every single day before school. It was getting really thick and I would have a panic if I ever forgot my razor at sleepovers. I’d get up early and shave, pretending I was desperate for a shower, but really I couldn’t stand to let myself be seen with a beard."

Understandably, she was very conscious of her appearance, as we've all been told that facial hair is unnatural for women. In reality, the vast majority of women grow at least some facial hair - whether it be a light peach fuzz around the corners of the jaw or a full-on mustache - so it really isn't something to fret about.

"I was worried people would think I was a freak if I let my hair grow out."

So, when Nova met Ash - a runway model - she felt more pressure than ever to look her best. Ash, who does not identify as male or female, had an instant spark with Nova, and the two quickly became a couple.

After a while, Ash encouraged Nova to embrace her look - so she did. And Ash is a big fan of it. "I love her beard," they said.

However, they did add that the pair of them sometimes get strange looks or comments.

"Yes people do stop and stare at us, watch us walk down the street and ask Nova random questions to determine her gender, but she’s never been happier and that makes me proud. I adore her, beard and all."

Nova herself has faced a lot of online criticism from trolls, but she takes it in her stride.

"People have accused me of pretending to be a woman, or they think I’m transgender, but I don’t care. It’s not an insult to be trans, I’m just not – I’m a gay woman.

"Anyway, with my hipster beard, I feel happier now than I have ever been. I am with someone I love, who supports my decision and loves me for me and my beard. ‘I have no idea when I am going to stop growing it. It’s a part of me now, and I love it."

Kudos to Nova for embracing her natural look, despite what the haters might say. Nobody should be attacked or criticized because of the way they were made - and both Nova and Ash are giving hope to anyone else who might be self-conscious about some physical aspect they have.