Somewhere, Frida Kahlo is Smiling
By GlindaFrom the exalted email forwards of the Manolo, I bring you the land of the unibrow:
Does she not look proud and dignified?
I am always fascinated with other cultures and the differences between them and the Westernized version of beauty.
It seems that in parts of Tajikistan, one long brow is a sign of great beauty, and some women who are not naturally blessed with it take an herbal supplement to help with the brow growth.
In all the pictures that accompany the article, I have to admit the women look absolutely lovely.
It just goes to show that it’s all about the attitude. Rock on, Tajikistan ladies!
December 7th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
This is common through mann parts of central Asia. I know for certain they do it in Uzbekistan as well. There are also a lot of movements in Uzbek and Tajik dance where the dancer draws attention to her brow, and some traditional items of jewelry are designed to accentuate it.
A word of caution, though. The herbal compound they paint on their naturally dark brown eyebrows to make them black will turn blonde eyebrows lime green. Ask me how I know this….
December 8th, 2010 at 8:16 am
It’s because they know what Frida knew: that strong brow, like all hair, is a sign of power.
December 8th, 2010 at 8:17 am
@ SarahDances: how do you know that? I’d love to know the story!
December 8th, 2010 at 8:52 am
One of the dance forms I study is Uzbek. Our dance teacher from Uzbekistan was visiting and decided to demonstrate on one of our company’s dancers how they dye their eyebrows. Unfortunately, the volunteer for this demonstration was blonde. Lime green eyebrows were the result. Not a lesson I would want anyone else to learn the hard way!