Khosi Nkanyezi Buthelezi refuses to shave off her beard despite being called names of the street. Instead, the 43-year-old has embraced her natural look and pours a lot of ‘love’ in maintaining her facial hair
A woman has ditched the wax strips and embraced her thick beard, despite what the haters say.
Khosi Nkanyezi Buthelezi is no stranger to stares in the street, and has received verbal abuse from randomers just because she refuses to get rid of her facial hair. The 43-year-old loves her natural look and has urged other women to be ‘comfortable and content’ with how they look.
However, having a hairy chin in the hot summer months comes with some difficulties, and Buthelezi, a freelance book editor, has had to pour some ‘love and dedication’ in keeping her beard in top shape.
“The hair on any part of your body gathers heat and sweat, so that applies to my thick beard as well,” she said. “Unlike the hair on my head, I wash and moisturise my beard and then detangle knots twice a day.”
Buthelezi’s grooming routine includes washing, trimming and hydrating her fluffy chin. She opts for moisturising products rather than greasy ones so she can comb her beard when it’s hot to stay ‘comfortable’.
“I doubt that the reactions from people differ because of the season. However, it could be influenced by my dress sense,” she added. “[My] winter outfits include beanies, polo necks and jackets, which offer more coverage and can obstruct people’s view of my chin. But summer means dresses and more feminine clothing that might look awkward accessorized with a beard.”
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The 43-year-old, from South Africa, says keeping her beard has helped boost her self-confidence and provided her with a ‘sense of identity’. She says self-acceptance is a ‘crucial aspect’ of self-care, in the same way many women take pride in their nails, skin and hair.
“I’ve had to remember that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms,” she added. “I am bringing body hair to the beauty equation.”
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