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To the obvious question of why beauty salons are so sought after in a country where women often cover their hair or faces, Rodriguez says: "These women are so meticulous with their hair, with their makeup always -- they really try to outdo each other completely." Which, I guess, supports the argument that women dress for other women, not men. Or, that we are superficial, frivolous creatures.
Um, or that they do it for their husbands?
I just recently watched "The Beauty Academy of Kabul." I don't know if this is the same school, but if not, it's a very similar, highly relevant story.
When I read about the women being so into their hair, my first thought was that it wasn't a superficial interest in beauty, but a desire for control. Maybe selecting their own hairstyles and doing their own makeup are things so feminine that their husbands or fathers don't take an interest--as long as they're publicly veiled, they can look however they choose.
They have traditionally been owned and operated by women; the teachers are mostly female; the students have often gone on to open up their own businesses because hair salons have been one of the few entrepreneurial opportunities available to women! And let's face it, ladies: the feeling one gets after a good session with the hairdresser can be very "empowering" indeed!
