Obligatory hejab in Iran leads to increasing use of cosmetics

Shahrzadnews: Women in Iran are the second biggest spenders on make-up, perfume and skincare products in the Middle East (after Saudi Arabia) and the seventh biggest in the world. The Iranian market alone is worth $2.1 billion per year. According to the latest figures, Iranian women aged 15 to 45 spend an average of $6.25 a month on cosmetics.

The Sharghe Parsi website claims that enforced Islamic hejab cover “has left little room for women to display their beauty and femininity.”

The site said the restriction is responsible for women’s increased use of beauty and health products.

According to Hussein Tanhayie, a sociologist and senior lecturer at Tehran University, “Iranian women are not allowed to show their natural beauty. In Western countries they can wear whatever clothes and hairstyles they like, and choose their own colors. They don’t need heavy make-up. In Iran however a young woman can only show a small part of her face, and compensates by covering it with as much make-up as she can.”

Tanhayie added that aside from the hejab issue, Iranian women have far less opportunity than men to display their sexuality. This leads to a subconscious urge to make untrammeled use of beauty products. “Given the social and psychological pressures on women in traditional societies, it’s only natural that they should constantly search for ways to assert their femininity.”