Woman, 30, Stopped Shaving Her Beard Daily & Now People Are Confused If She’s a Man or a Woman

In a bold move challenging societal norms, a 30-year-old woman has chosen to embrace her natural self, setting aside the razor and allowing her facial hair to grow freely. The decision, as empowering as it is unconventional, has sparked widespread confusion among onlookers, blurring the lines of gender perception.

Coral Renaie has spent the last 16 years shaving her facial hair to conform to societal expectations. However, she grew weary of these beauty standards imposed on women. Recently, she decided to embrace her beard, a consequence of her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and had let it grow to four inches. She discarded her razors permanently.

Being a woman with a beard presented its challenges, including dealing with negative comments and stares from others. Despite the difficulties, the 30-year-old remained proud of her facial hair. Coral, a full-time content creator from Kansas, U.S., shared her emotional and physical journey, revealing that her partner, Illias, 25, supported and loved her choice.

Coral's Life as a Bearded Woman

While sharing her journey, Coral described her path to self-acceptance as a painful but ultimately empowering one. "Starting at about four years old, I was getting darker skin on my neck, knees, elbows, and ankles, caused by insulin resistance associated with my PCOS," she revealed.

People frequently speculate about Coral's gender, often questioning whether she is a man or a woman.

This physical manifestation of her condition led to cruel remarks and shame from others. "One person thought I was dirty and would tell me to scrape my skin in the bath to get it off. It was the first time I really felt shame about my body," recounted Coral.

Her struggle intensified as she grew older. "Aged nine, I grew thick sideburns...and by 12, I was shaving my face daily. I felt like shaving was the only way I would survive," she shared, shedding light on the emotional toll her condition took on her self-esteem.

In the face of adversity, Coral found strength and self-acceptance. She reflected on the judgment she faced, stating, "In some ways, I feel like this is somewhat validated by the amount of hate I get online [now]. They [people online] ask 'what I am' because somehow hair makes me not seem human, or if I'm a man or a woman."

Overcoming Criticism & Defying the Odds

Coral's defiance in the face of societal expectations remained unshakable. Despite the constant barrage of unsolicited advice, she was often told to shave, as people loved dictating what she should do with her body. Yet, she found solace in the support of those who recognized her intentions, mentioning that others saw her motives and were supportive and kind. In the realm of social media, she discovered unexpected allies, noting that most of her followers were currently men, seemingly enjoying the view.

In her day-to-day life, Coral navigated the curious stares and invasive glances with resilience. She revealed that in person, people usually didn't confront her, although she often experienced prolonged staring, and some would even try to take pictures with their phones.

Despite the challenges, she emphasized that her beard was not a symbol of her being odd. She firmly believed that people needed to realize that the only thing that made her different from anyone else was her defiance.

Central to Coral's journey was the unwavering support of her partner, Illias. She shared that he had let her know he was a safe place, becoming a cornerstone in her journey toward self-acceptance. Illias's acceptance became a catalyst for Coral's self-confidence. Having him love her as thoroughly as he did helped her gain confidence.

Their relationship became a sanctuary where she felt genuinely cherished, allowing her to embrace her natural state without reservations. "After I stopped shaving, we both were just a lot happier; him because I was finally getting confident in myself as I was, and me because I wasn't in so much pain [due to shaving my sensitive skin] anymore," explained Coral.

Besides her boyfriend, Coral has found unwavering support from her loved ones, mainly her mother and nieces, who stand as her most adherent cheerleaders. Beyond her family, she has discovered allies among her friends, both in person and online, who recognized the insignificance of her choice to let her facial hair grow.

Addressing People's Queries

The Kansas resident's social media content receives a slew of comments from netizens from time to time. One such commenter asked her why she prefers to keep a beard instead of shaving it off. "I feel beautiful this way," was Coral's brief response.

People frequently speculate about Coral's gender, often questioning whether she is a man or a woman. Despite the numerous inquiries her videos attract and the diverse opinions they provoke, Coral has found her own sense of comfort, paying little heed to the judgments and remarks of those around her.

Coral's narrative undeniably imparts a crucial lesson: Beauty is a subjective concept. What truly holds significance is our internal contentment and fulfillment. If this story inspired you, click here to read a similar one about a woman who had been shaving her face since she was 14. However, she stopped doing it after she found love.