Iranian Women Unleash Their Makeup Bags

Hanieh Ghahremani is 19, a student of mathematics at pre-university level. Hanieh says that she learnt embellishment through satellite programs when she was 9. She believes that makeup makes a girl more attractive for men. She changes all her makeup every 3-4 months. She believes heavy makeup is due to hijab, since it prevents women from showing their body, and thus extra efforts are made to make the face more attractive by wearing makeup.

Reyhaneh Ghahremani is 21, an industrial engineer. She started wearing makeup at the age of 15, and spends $35 on toiletries, especially eyeliner and mascara, every two months. She has no preference about a specific brand—it only should suit her. Reyhaneh even wears makeup at home and this shows her interest.

Alia Zand is 23, is a student of economics. She has been wearing makeup since she was 16 and spends $50 monthly. However, she is unemployed, and used to make $350 a month. Alia says original brands cannot be easily found in Iran. Alia thinks that everyone notices her if she accidentally fails to wear makeup, and people think that something might have happened.