Iranian Makeup. Reyhaneh Ghahremani, 21, Industrial Engineer. She started wearing makeup at the age of 15 and spends $35 on toiletries, especially eye-liner 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. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Asra Mohammadi, 18, is studying mathematics at pre-university level. Although Asra's mother is a makeup artist, she has recently starting wearing makeup but she spends little on makeup because she often uses her mother's. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Delaram Abbasi, 15, has been wearing makeup since she was 13. Delaram's mom bought her a lipstick for her for the first time. Her most frequently bought makeup item is one she buys every two months: pancake. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Hanieh Ghahremani, 19, 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 makeups 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. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Alia Zand, 23, is a student of economics. She has been wearing makeup since she was 16 and spends 50 dollars 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. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Parnaz Jamali, 22, student of Architecture and English teacher. She became interested in make up after seeing girls in the family wearing makeup when she was 13. She rarely shops for toiletries but lipstick is her favorite. Her monthly salary is $200 and $25 is spent on toiletries every two months. Parnaz looks into the mirror frequently and checks herself in front of every mirror or reflex window. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Zahra Sadat Hosseini (Sara), 22, student of Industrial Design. She started using makeup at 16; Sara feels self-important by wearing makeup and it gives her a good feeling. Sara refers to heavy makeup among Iranian women as a compensatory factor for their low self-confidence and self-acceptance. She believes that Iranian girls/women prefer to wear a mask and actually lie. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Zahra Malekshahi, 22, Economics graduate. She started wearing makeup at 18 and usually does not carry many toiletries with her, though a few items are with her most of the time. She thinks that the reason for excessive use of makeup in Iran is the Hijab and the type of women's clothing in Iran. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Haleh Sogol Barakat, 27, journalism graduate; makeup artist. She spends around $30 a month on toiletries. This is while she does not have a permanent job and when she is temporarily employed, the income is $250. However, she might not earn anything for a few months. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Ghazal Mafakheri, 28, Photography graduate. She first wore makeup when she was 17 and spends around $200 a year on makeup ware. She believes that wearing heavy makeup by Iranian girls is first cultural and then a by-product of the controversy in women's dressing. This has become a cultural issue and women are facing an identity conflict and young girls have made them willing to wear heavy makeups. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Maliheh Motaji, 28, Graphics graduate. She refreshes her makeup twice a day and spends $60 a month on toiletries. She has no restrictions in buying makeup. Maliheh does not wear makeup only if she is short of time or goes out to exercise. She believes that makeup has become so routine in the society that not wearing it is out of the question. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Maryam Yousefi, 29, student of physical training. Maryam applies makeup 2-3 times a day. She started it at the age of 15 and spends around $60 a month. She racily notes that she looks into the mirror a few times a day, especially in her car. © Mona Hoobehfekr
Iranian Makeup. Nina Fatan, 30, Painting graduate. She took her mother's makeup when she was15. Nina says that most makeup of her are bought from Turkey and Sweden, except a few items bought in Iran and this is nearly $50 a month. Buying the makeup always depends on her financial situation and fluctuates. She likes looking into the mirror so much that she even studies in front of the mirror. © Mona Hoobehfekr
