Zahra Hankir, a Lebanese British journalist and the editor of Our Women on the Ground, writes about the intersection of politics, culture, and society, particularly in the broader Middle East. Her work has appeared in publications including Condé Nast Traveler, The Observer Magazine, The Times Literary Supplement, BBC News, Al Jazeera English, Bloomberg Businessweek, the Los Angeles Times, and The Rumpus. She was awarded a Jack R. Howard Fellowship inInternational Journalism to attend the Columbia Journalism School and holds degrees in politics and Middle Eastern studies.
Praise for Eyeliner:
“[A] perceptive cultural history . . . engrossing and
appealingly monomaniacal . . . Each chapter is more
interesting than the last. Hankir doesn’t take her subject too
seriously; her history lessons are peppered with cultural
references and good humor. The book is also a smoky-eye lover’s
paradise: an orgy of makeup rituals, of tips and tricks, of brands
to try.” —Cat Marnell, The New York Times Book Review
“[Eyeliner] artfully blend[s] a history of the eye cosmetic with an
emotive treatment of makeup’s relation to the self . . . a
thoughtful, unlikely romp across the world, viewing a small but
significant part of cultural history, through a keen (and boldly
defined) eye.” —Wall Street Journal
“Fascinating . . . In my line of business (being Miss Universe),
eyeliner is more than an item in a makeup kit—it’s part of an
artistic palette. This simple tool gives us the power to command a
room, to make a personality statement, and to change our entire
look on a whim. As Zahra Hankir shows, none of this is new or even
modern, but has been part of a legacy of powerful women for
millennia.” —Sheynnis Palacio, Miss Universe 2023, CNN's “Best
Books of 2023”
“Eyeliner is admirable in the breadth and depth of its research,
and edifying . . . an impressive, rigorously researched,
winding path through centuries and over continents.” —NPR.org
“A marvel . . . [Hankir] goes back in time, around the globe
and into her own past, painting a picture that not only resituates
eyeliner in the cultural imaginary but celebrates the myriad
contributions of communities of color to beauty
history.” —Anne Helen Peterson, “Culture Study”
“Hankir does a spectacular job of raising the stakes and setting up
eyeliner as this culturally powerful and iconic practice, all tied
back on Nefertiti…a book that succeeds in telling, if not one
story, then many stories, about a utilitarian, symbolic, and
essential practice that transcends cultures around the
world.” —Chicago Review of Books
“[Hankir] seamlessly takes her readers on a global investigation .
. . Through intimate narratives with varied characters from
different cultures and communities, we learn more about the
product’s rise in prominence while having a fly-on-the-wall inside
look at the ways it serves medicinal purposes, fuels spiritual
practices, uplifts self-expression and how its mere existence on
someone’s eyelid can be viewed as a form of
defiance.” —Associated Press
“A significant addition to cultural histories of self-expression.
Hankir disrupts many deeply held assumptions about beauty, gender,
and power . . . Hankir writes with boldness and care . .
. [she] meticulously details commonalities in physical and
aesthetic practices [...] without losing sight of cultural
specificity or intersectionality.” —Library Journal (starred
review)
“A fascinating history . . . If you've never given much thought to
the beauty staple, Eyeliner will change that forever.” —Town &
Country
“Eyeliner proves both educative and topical, and is punctuated
throughout with wit and humor. Thrillingly, the author’s extensive
archival research is complemented by her own travels and first-hand
experiences . . . Throughout the book, Hankir challenges the
uncritical view of eyeliner as a mere 'exercise in vanity' or
simply a consumerist fad.” —The Markaz
“A narrative that, fittingly, bypasses dominant Western discourses
of makeup and fashion, which is part of what makes this work so
refreshing to read . . . This book demonstrates that eyeliner is
not simply a frivolous decoration; it connects back to a much
larger story.” —4Columns
“This captivating account reveals the complex significance of a
seemingly simple adornment . . . Hankir packs her
reader-friendly narrative with relatable examples of cultural and
geographic significance . . . Throughout, Hankir maintains an
appealing sense of intimacy.” —Publishers Weekly (starred
review)
“Readers will never think of eyeliner the same way after reading
this book . . . [Eyeliner] has a richer and sometimes stranger
history than many people (including me) would have guessed . . .
endlessly fascinating.” —Electric Literature
“An intriguing journey through time and across continents . . .
[Hankir] travels far in pursuit of her research, expressing a
contagious wonder at the layers of common ground a simple object
like eyeliner offers people of diverse backgrounds . . . Eyeliner
features a particularly dazzling chapter on the late Amy Winehouse
. . . [A] well-written, absorbing debut.” —Shelf Awareness
“Eye-opening and surprisingly intimate . . . Hankir’s journalism
background shines through . . . And her own reflections lend weight
to the close-up and personal feeling conveyed throughout . . .
Eyeliner is a thorough retrospective of a product that has endured
over time and continues to play a significant role for cultures
around the globe.” —BookPage
“Fascinating . . . The book travels around the world and through
time, documenting the use of eyeliner in religious settings, in
social settings, cultural customs around it, and much more.
[Hankir] blends memoir and anecdote with research and reportage,
historical examination, and cultural/societal commentary to create
an absorbing and engaging read.” —Book Riot
“Absorbing . . . Hankir provides an engaging, colorful study while
relating her own cross-cultural story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Detailed and engaging . . . [an] absorbing look at how people
around the world use eyeliner to express and reinvent themselves .
. . readers interested in beauty culture will be fascinated by this
accessible examination of such a versatile and popular beauty
product.” —Booklist
“Intriguing . . . [Hankir] uses this ancient form of makeup as an
ingenius prism through which to explore cultural identity.” —The
Bookseller (UK), Editor's Choice
“I loved Eyeliner. Hankir approaches her subject with dedicated
curiosity, humility, and humor, blending anthropology, travel
writing, memoir and history. A treat to read and—of
course—beautifully eye-opening.” —Kassia St. Clair, author of The
Secret Lives of Color
“Zahra Hankir’s Eyeliner is a captivating exploration of the
historic lineage and contemporary use of eyeliner. An arresting
feminist narrative from start to finish, this book reveals the
depth and multi-dimensionality of a cosmetic that connects Queen
Nefertiti to young women protesting in contemporary Iran and
beyond.” —Rafia Zakaria, author of Against White Feminism
“Combining the steady contemplation of the personal essay with her
journalistic flair for storytelling, Zahra Hankir traces the
history of kohl, traversing space, time, and cultures to delve into
the deeply human importance of a makeup kit staple many of us don't
give a second thought. The result is an engaging read that is
poignant, enlightening, and full of emotional depth.” —Layla
AlAmmar, author of Silence is a Sense
“Who knew the humble eyeliner could offer up so much? Zahra
Hankir’s beautiful writing style and incredible attention to
detail mean that even those with zero interest in
makeup will find this book awe-inspiring and fascinating
as it goes far beyond the realm of beauty.” —Funmi Fetto,
Contributing Beauty Editor at British Vogue and Beauty Director at
the Observer
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