Ms JULY 20, 2014
ISSUE NO. 109
Summer chic with Sana Abbas page
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Make-up: War paint for women?
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page
inside lifestyle —
5 myths about menstruation
domestic goddess —
Street food at its very best
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page
Section In-Charge: Sarah Munir Sub-Editor: Amna Hashmi
The life and times of Vaneeza Ahmad
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Ms
the buzz
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 20, 2014
W
hether we admit it or not, no one – least of all young women – is indifferent to the image in the mirror. Every day, between rolling out of bed and stepping out the door, we perform a ritual of ‘grooming’ in an attempt to make ourselves look good. Like actors in a theatre play who require stage makeup to get into their characters, most of us have concocted set grooming routines to help ourselves to get into ours. Regardless of whether we prefer daily facial scrubs, hurried blow-dries or even early morning workout sessions, the one thing common to all our grooming regimes is that without them, we feel barren, exposed and unlike our perceived selves. A recent study conducted by Dailymail UK lends credence to this psychological dependence women have upon grooming. The study, which examined nearly 2,000 women across a wide age gap, conceded that most women feel much less attractive, confident and more vulnerable without a full face of makeup. Many of the participants went on to admit they would never venture into public in their natural state lest their partners, friends and colleagues see their true faces. Perhaps, it was for this reason the recent ‘No Makeup Selfie’ campaign blossomed into an overnight sensation across social media. With the underlying aim of raising funds for cancer research by posting a makeup-free self shot online, the campaign highlighted women’s age-old love affair with cosmetics and encouraged them to part with their ‘makeup visages’ for a good cause. It rightfully implied that makeup carries a deep meaning for women and helps shape different parts of their personality. Closer to home, 24-year-old Laila Basit* proves that such fears are characteristic of women across the globe. “I have spots on my skin which kill my confidence completely,” confesses Laila. “I can’t recall the last time I went out without makeup. It’s like the minute I have indulged in some foundation or lipstick, I become a different person, strong, confident and beautiful.”
Beauty for the modern woman is more than just femininity and favourable physical features; they now have a more individualistic approach to it and use it to convey a unique attitude and identity For women like Laila, wearing makeup isn’t just about looking good: it is a means to access a part of them that is insecure and vulnerable and rectifying it with the ‘magical’ touch of a cosmetic brush. Grooming and makeup act as non-verbal symbols of a woman’s personality, the desired perception being that if her appearance is kempt, so will other aspects of her life such as home, workplace and mind. For 23-year-old student Annie Badr*, makeup is an essential ingredient for attracting potential rishtas at family functions. “I usually wear nude lipsticks and soothing, pastel eye shadow to look simple and innocent. I think most women would prefer more conservative girls for their sons.” According to psychotherapist and mental health counsellor Jasmyn Rana, “Many women come with low presenting self-esteem and body imaging issues and use a variety of coping mechanisms to boost their confidence, makeup being one of them.” This is particularly common amongst working women who tend to connect selfworth to their success in the corporate world where the distribution of power and responsibility is usually unequal. Many women like 32-year-old Hafsa Bhatti*, who works as a manager at a multination company, have to work twice as hard as men to prove their mettle and realise the importance of projecting a positive physical image. “Modern society is all about image management,” explains Hafsa. “Branding yourself right is crucial in the competitive corporate world and makeup helps me brand myself the way I want my colleagues to view me i.e. competent, responsible, stylish and successful.” A boost in confidence also encourages one to aim higher and achieve the goals they have set for themselves, be it performing well in an exam or an organisation. Considering this, it is hardly surprising that the global makeup indus-
Is makeup just a frivolous obsession or a struggle for identity?
by Mehreen Ovais
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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 20, 2014
like I can project the image of having everything under control if I look good,” she confesses. “This image motivates me to live up to other’s expectations and actually ensure my home, relationships and careers are all running smoothly.” On the contrary, Sarah Aleem* feels that a responsible homemaker wouldn’t really require makeup to do the trick. “From a social point of view, I think it’s always better for women – especially older ones – to avoid extreme makeup and be less obsessed with their looks,” says Sarah. According to her, maintaining a more down-to-earth attitude can go a long way in creating the impression Eman seeks: it signifies that a woman considers her family and home to be more important than her appearance and works hard to fulfil all her responsibilities towards them. Our culture and society lays down some stringent perceptions of beauty and physical appearances that women are constantly being evaluated against. Women are trained from an early age to be strict with themselves and try to improve or maintain their appearance as much as possible. In fact, the pressure has become so internalised that we often forgo our own happiness for our ‘image.’ Jasmyn warns this could affect our health adversely. “Constantly doing any task to keep your self-esteem at bay is a battle,” she explains. “Being beautiful is just a feeling. When women accept themselves to the core, I see them toss aside their armour and radiate positive energy and nothing is more beautiful than that.” *Names have been changed to protect privacy
try has become one of the fastest growing markets in the world, expected to reach a staggering £1.6 billion in the years following 2013. It must also be noted that in direct proportion to the burgeoning industry, our standards for beauty have also broadened, spurring the dependency on cosmetics even further. Beauty for the modern woman is more than just femininity and favourable physical features; they now have a more individualistic approach to it and use it to convey a unique attitude and identity. And what’s more, the modern woman can use makeup in variation to suit different needs. She increases her efforts when she knows she must appear dignified and feel confident to perform well (as in a formal setting) and decrease them when too much effort is likely to work against her. For Maria Khursheed*, a medical student and ER assistant, it is important to showcase a natural and soft persona to help patients feel at ease. “For work, I have to wear scrubs so I maintain a very simple look: no bright lipsticks, blushers or eye-shadow etc,” shares Maria. The pressure to achieve the right balance in makeup, especially in a profession as demanding as medicine, is relatively higher as well. “Too much makeup and you’re colleagues and patients will think you are superficial and non-serious. On the other hand, too little makeup will make you appear tired and unfit to do a high-pressure job.” However, it is not just working women seeking corporate gratification that rely on makeup for self-branding - some housewives and stay-at-home mothers are just as addicted. Eman Shahid* a 28-year-old homemaker, is extremely particular about every detail of her appearance to market herself as a ‘superwoman.’ She invests in plenty of makeup, clothing and expensive brands. “I feel
Too much makeup and you’re colleagues and patients will think you are superficial and nonserious. On the other hand, too little makeup will make you appear tired and unfit to do a highpressure job ER Assistant Maria Khursheed
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Ms
en vogue
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 20, 2014
Sana Abbas displays her latest summer evening formals.
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 20, 2014
Coordination: Umer Mushtaq Hair & Makeup: Saba Ansari @ Sab’s Salon Designer: Sana Abbas Photography: Rohail Khaled Model: Areeba Habib
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Ms
lifestyle
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 20, 2014
by Kifah Memon
Busting misconceptionscial about that spe nth type of the mo
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e on ung girls. They ar ren, especially yo ges ild an ch ch l r fo ica e og ol tim bi h ug rms with their te rowing up is a to to st g fir in e m th co in , occurring ller-coaster ose changes are an emotional ro th n io hy at w ru ng st di en en m out mpreh d old wives tales ab but not quite co a long list of perio ra of misinformed ve ho ha et e pl w a d is th an ly to en l op al it t sh ou place. Add th ab tru k er, the luctance to spea th. Today, howev and a general re e uncontested tru ptions regarding th ce e on m co isc m be ve on m m co t os m e myths that ha e fiv we delve into th or not. be contested as er they are valid th he w k ec ch d an n io at ur st men
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s are not Menstruation cycle ne: yo er the same for ev
are fri, “Many women ist Dr Shamim Ja t og ac ol ex ec an na of gy s to cle is alway According of menstruation cy n e tio on ra at du th e w th , vie er of the , howev e health eryone.” In reality seven days for ev , depending on th on rs pe to on rs pe eone m m fro so s r fo rie a cycle va three days cle may last just Many . cy fri Ja ne “O ns ai rl. pl gi e ex of th esn’t matter,” do it r, thly he on ot m t an r s with no se and eight fo e irregular cycle ke nc ta rie to pe rs ex he so ot al m women advisable for is it , ss ele st th fir ne their dates either. No eck-up following for a general ch their daughters . ain that all is well menses to ascert
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ical condition m any other med fro rs ffe ey su or nt art patie no reason why th Unless one is a he ere is absolutely th . In th e, on cis m er e ex th to n due g that time of rin du e m that could worse gi he re ot e d help so ue their exercis menstruation an should discontin oven to regulate amps and pr cr en as be s ch ha su e rome (PMS) fact, exercis nd sy al ru st muscular pain en m m pree who suffer fro os th the symptoms of to any e cis er bit. “You can do mmends ex is toned down a fatigue. Jafri reco it Exat e.” th m ed id tre ex ov nsion, pr ng as it isn’t to relieve the te d to nd-stands, so lo lea ha d en an ev d e, rio lik pe u e’s yo kind of exercise can deregulate on hletes physical activity many female at by ed nc rie pe treme exercise or ex as n, ru ng lo e s in th fertility problem usiasts. th en ss ne fit d an
certain foods One shouldn’t eatof the month: during that time
gy levels and rience low ener pe ex en lly om w y ation, man ain foods, especia During menstru cravings for cert e to ar e e ris w s ve m gi s ange food ite the hormonal ch we is a long list of fortunately, ther r greasy meat. Ho Un he s. ot te or ra h yd fis oh as ch carb n. su io rt d, se rio as pe is r orts th le on ou ence which supp told to avoid whi no medical evid ch has no link to or hi w tle h lit ac is e om er st e th e in ever, th ed st ge women have a fre , “Food is di does not mean is Jafri clarifies that th , t se ea ur to co er tt Of such.” ways be menstruation as oducts as it is al and healthy food pr un ount of proteins e am um ht ns rig co e to th e card um ns k. co ee w to e h th should be you going throug healthy. The aim r levels and keep ga su n ai nt ai m carbs to
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Exercise disrupts menstruation:
ur period: Bathing can halt yo
ses adversely s can affect men re tu ra pe m te ater avoid bathing The idea that w n. Many women ta kis Pa fear ut ho ug eir cycle for the is prevalent thro r hair – during th ei again, e th nc ng “O hi y. as el w et t, pl – or at leas or stop com n w do w r,” ve slo oe ay ts m idea wha that their period to support this ce r en pe id as ev e l th ica ba ed omen to there is no m ld recommend w rtance ou po w I , im t ct os fa m “In ut . says Jafri giene is of enses because hy s, such a her related issue normal during m ot to ad le n ca e en gi hy of then. Lack our.” rashes or bad od
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yth: rome (PMS) is a m Pre-menstrual synd
n Family Physician ed in the America ish bl pu and y ud st a sorder in young According to ommon cyclic di “C ical a ys is ph S d PM an , l 03 na Journal 20 ed by emotio ris te ac ar The ch .” en cle strual cy middle-aged wom phase of the men al te symplu l e ta th en g m rin d symptoms du of physical an ty rie va a in elf in sts its dominal pa s, disorder manife d swings and ab oo m n, arise sio es pr “The symptoms toms, such as de cording to Jafri, Ac . ,” and ue on gi tig re fa c d lvi an headaches ssels in the pe ve d oo bl en of n om io ct l volatility. W due to the constri rs the emotiona he oms, rt pt fu m ly sy on eir in th the physical pa help alleviate to s ge an ch le lifesty can adopt small thy. g and eating heal in cis er ex as such
domestic goddess 7
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 20, 2014
Recipe An arrangement of crisp puris in a melange of potatoes, chickpeas, curd and mouth-watering chutneys, Dahi Batata Puri is the ideal cool treat for a hot summer day.
Dahi Batata Puri Nisma Chauhan is currently pursuing degree in Mass Communication with a major in print. A full-time shopoholic who loves to cook and invent new recipes.
Method • Prepare the chutney and keep it aside. • Boil the potatoes and allow them to cool. • Once the potatoes have reached room temperature, peel and chop them into tiny cubes. • Chop the onions and coriander leaves into small pieces and set aside. • Add sugar to the yogurt and beat it into a smooth paste. • Crack each puri from the centre and set them on a plate. • Fill the puris with 1 tbsp of the potatoes and onions and 1 tsp of chutney. You may add more chutney if desired. • Add sev to each puri and cover it completely. • Add yogurt. You can either pour it directly onto the plate or place 2 tbsp on each puri separately. • Garnish the puris with chopped coriander leaves and add chaat masala as desired.
Ingredient:
Potatoes (boiled and peeled) 2 to 3
Onion (chopped) 1
Coriander leaves (chopped) as desired
Curd 1/2 to 3/4 cup
Coriander chutney 1/2 cup
Sev 1 cup
Puris (gol gappay) 24
Sugar 3 tbsp
Chaat masala as desired)
Sweet tamarind date chutney 1/2 cup
Note: Serve the puris as soon as they are made as they become soggy over time.
woman of the week 8
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 20, 2014
ith W l ifu ut ea yb m nd ra he ot m tle lit r. te sis Me.
Diaries With my
husb and, on
our wed ding day.