Woman Living with Beard and Moustache

A German woman who struggled with facial hair for nearly two decades said she finally feels sexy, now that she’s ditched the clippers and let her beard grow.

“I feel more confident and I know myself better now than when I was younger,”the 49-year-old mom, identified only as Mariam,  told the British talk show, “This Morning.”

Mariam explained to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield she began growing facial hair 28 years ago, after the birth of her son.

Extra hormones produced during pregnancy can trigger hair growth.

She tried electrolysis three times, but the hair always grew back.

After years of using tweezers to disguise the growing goatee, Mariam gave up in August 2008.

“It was more curiosity, like what will happen with me if I let it grow,” she said. “Like how it will make me feel.”

Now Mariam only trims her beard for maintenance. She’s the “Bearded Lady” in a traveling circus and writes about her experiences on a blog.

Despite some nasty comments and criticism — even Mariam’s own mother questioned her decision to keep the beard— she discovered a newfound confidence. After being single for a decade, she’s also looking for love.

“I think I’m more ready to have a relationship,” Mariam said.