Having throwing in the towel with her facial hair battle in 2008 after her son left home, she explained: "I didn't feel brave...it was more curiosity and what happens with me - will I be more myself if I let it grow? And how will people react?
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Mariam appeared on ITV's This Morning to answer questions about her facial hair
"There was this big fear that if I would show it that everybody would turn away from me and nobody would talk to me any more."
Mariam began a blog in which she talked about her facial hair, how years of tweezing had left her with red, inflamed skin, and shared reactions to her appearance.
She said: "Some people have said that people like me should be 'shot'... but that was just one person on the internet and the internet is a place where people write horrible stuff.
"But on the other hand I have a lot of people that say it's courageous and inspired other women to be more free, so I have both sides."
And she confessed she's had little support from her family, with her mother pleading with her to stop "trying to shock people" and to "become more normal".
When asked by host Holly Willoughby whether she felt sexy, Mariam replied: Yes. Now I'm ready to have a relationship. I feel more confident and know myself better then when I was younger... I am happy."
In fact Mariam is feeling so at home in her own skin she also appears as a "bearded lady" in a circus act.
"I like acting, so it was a mixture of my talents," she said.
"I also wanted to give people the opportunity to talk to a bearded lady because they're too scared to approach you in the street."
Unconventional Beauty
Facebook 'Removes Image Of Breast Cancer Survivor's Double Mastectomy Tattoo Over Nudity Violation'(01 of23)
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An image of a tattoo on the chest of a breast cancer survivor is going viral on Facebook - because the social networking giant apparently kept removing it. READ MORE. (credit:Facebook)
Phillip Toledano's 'A New Kind Of Beauty' Exhibition Opens In LA(02 of23)
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Phillip Toledano, the man behind A New Kind Of Beauty, is inviting us to decide whether as a species we’re using science and technology to redefine our own idea of aesthetic beauty. READ MORE. (credit:KOPEIKIN GALLERY)
'Bearded Lady' Mariam Tells This Morning Her Facial Hair Is Sexy & She's Ready For A Relationship(03 of23)
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A mother-of-one has revealed why she has given up trying to control the thick facial hair she began sprouting after the birth of her son 28 years ago. READ MORE. (credit:Rex Features)
The Importance Of Unconventional Beauty, blogs Rainbow Rowell(04 of23)
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African Women Who Tattoo Their Gums Black For A More Beautiful Smile(05 of23)
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There's a new page in the ever-growing book of bizarre beauty procedures. Joining the list of treatments like extreme butt implants and Japan's "bagel heads" comes gum tattooing. More specifically, tattooing your gums black to achieve a more beautiful smile. READ MORE. (credit:YouTube)
Unconventional Muses: Arts Who Find Beauty In Unusual Places(06 of23)
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As Aleah Chapin, last week's winner of the BP Portrait Award proved with her painting Auntie, sometimes the job of the artist is to find beauty in unusual places. READ MORE. (credit:ArtFinder/Wiki Paintings)
Bagel Head: Latest Beauty Craze Injects Saline Into Forehead(07 of23)
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Normally reserved for salmon and cream cheese or salt beef and gherkins, bagels are now on the tip of everyone's tongues as the most recent beauty craze. The 'bagel head' beauty treatment has taken Japan by storm and if you're squeamish we suggest you brace yourself before reading further. READ MORE. (credit:YouTube)
Is Beauty Without Makeup The Best Goal? Blogs Christina Huffington(08 of23)
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'Fire Facial' Treatment, AKA Huǒ Liáo, Claims To Fight Wrinkles By Setting Face On Fire(09 of23)
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What if you were promised fewer wrinkles, younger-looking skin, even slimmer thighs … if you set your body on fire? READ MORE. (credit:Shefinds)
Beauty Redefined, blogs Jackie Warner(10 of23)
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WANTED: 'Ugly Models' For Agency Casting Call, Tattoos And Bearded Ladies Welcome(11 of23)
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If when you picture a casting call at a modelling agency you imagine a room full of long-limbed, 20-somethings with high cheekbones and even higher heels, you'd better think again. London-based agency Ugly Models hope to see the weirdest and most wonderful faces in their offices on Wednesday 27 February to add to their already eclectic mix of models. READ MORE. (credit:Ugly Models)
Kelly Davidson's Double Mastectomy Tattoo 'Symbolises Transformation After Surviving Breast Cancer'(12 of23)
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A three-time cancer survivor has revealed a tattoo of fairies and butterflies in the place where her breasts once were. READ MORE. (credit:Why We Ink/Facebook)
The 10 Commandments Of Realistic Beauty, blogs Robert Tornambe, M.D.(13 of23)
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Living Barbie Doll Valeria Lukyanova Reveals Her Spiritual Side(14 of23)
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When HuffPost UK Lifestyle first laid eyes on real-life Barbie Valeria Lukyanova, it was hard for us to look past her superficial Mattel-esque exterior. READ MORE. (credit:Facebook)
African Men Who Tattoo Their Lips Pink To Look More Attractive(15 of23)
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As part of a beauty procedure, some men in Nigeria are tattooing their bottom lips pink. READ MORE. (credit:YouTube)
Justin Jedlica, 'Human Ken Doll' With Buttock & Pectoral Implants, Refers To Surgery As 'Art'(16 of23)
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We’ve reported on the “human Barbie” – now meet her plastic fantastic counterpart – the living ‘Ken’. Justin Jedlica has spent more than $100,000 (£61,000) on cosmetic procedures, and he says he’s not done yet. READ MORE. (credit:Doctors)
Grace Coddington Talks Unconventional Beauty, Too-Skinny Models, And Her "Unpopular" Wardrobe(17 of23)
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1 In 10 Men Are 'Secret' Make-Up Wearers(18 of23)
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Many British men are secretly wearing make-up to hide their imperfections, a survey has revealed. According to the findings, 1 in 10 men have turned to cosmetics to enhance their appearance, with men from Newcastle most likely to wear make-up, followed closely by men who come from Essex. For a visual cue think Geordie Shore and TOWIE. READ MORE.
What I Know About Beauty Now That I'm In My 20s, blogs Kate Fridkis(19 of23)
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Debenhams' Diversity Campaign Uses Plus-Size Model, Paralympian And 69-Year-Old(20 of23)
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Department store Debenhams has broken the fashion mould by casting a diverse range of models for its summer 2013 campaign. The High Summer Look Book uses 'real' men and women, including a plus-size model, a 69-year-old and an amputee. READ MORE. (credit:Debenhams)
What I Know About Beauty Now That I'm In My 30s, blogs Autumn Whitefield-Madrano(21 of23)
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What You Should See When You Look At This Photo, blogs Dagmara Domińczyk(22 of23)
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What I Know About Beauty Now That I'm In My 60s, blogs Bonnie McFarland(23 of23)