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Eyeliner

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

A dazzling exploration of the intersections of beauty and power around the globe, told through the lens of an iconic cosmetic

From the distant past to the present day, humans have been drawn to lining their eyes. The aesthetic trademark of figures ranging from Nefertiti to Amy Winehouse, eyeliner is one of our most enduring cosmetic tools; ancient royals and Gen Z beauty influencers alike would attest to its uniquely transformative power. It is undeniably fun - yet it is also far from frivolous.

Seen through Zahra Hankir's (kohl-lined) eyes, this ubiquitous but seldom-examined product becomes a portal to history, proof both of the stunning variety among cultures across time and space and of our shared humanity. Through intimate reporting and conversations - with nomads in Chad, geishas in Japan, dancers in India, drag queens in New York, and more - Eyeliner embraces the rich history and significance of its namesake, especially among communities of colour. What emerges is a delightful, surprising, and unexpectedly moving journey through streets, stages, and bedrooms around the world, and a thought-provoking reclamation of a key piece of our collective history.

©2023 Zahra Hankir (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

Cosmetic, tool of rebellion, status signifier: Eyeliner has been all these and more. Moving through millenniums and across civilizations, Hankir gives the makeup its eye-opening due
New York Times Book Review
A beautifully written deep dive into something that so many of us use on a daily basis with little to no thought. You will never use an eyeliner in the same way again
Glamour
Hankir makes a compelling case that, far from an inconsequential vanity, eyeliner is not just about beautification but protection, and even politics, for men and women across the world and through the ages
New Statesman
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
CNN's Best Books of 2023
A beautiful read, a thought-provoking one, and, unlike many history books - endlessly entertaining
Bad Form, Hardback of the Month
An interesting perspective on a seldom-explored area of cultural history… thought-provoking
i
Engrossing… Hankir’s history lessons are peppered with cultural references and good humor. The book is a smoky-eye lover’s paradise
New York Times Book Review
Who knew the humble eyeliner could offer up so much? 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 realms of beauty.
Funmi Fetto, author of PALETTE, Contributing Beauty Editor at British Vogue and Beauty Director at the Observer
Hankir delves into the political contexts that inform our make-up choices... Eyeliner is a comprehensive account of how this age-old medium became a means for connection, communication and rebellion
Dazed
I loved Eyeliner. Hankir approaches her subject with dedicated curiosity, humility and humour, blending anthropology, travel, memoir and history. A treat to read and - of course - beautifully eye-opening.
Kassia St Clair, author of THE SECRET LIVES OF COLOUR
Author Zahra Hankir
Narrator Soneela Nankani
Duration 10 hours and 56 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781529918274
Format Audiobook
Publisher Random House
Genre Cosmetics, hair and beauty, Fashion and beauty industries, General and world history, Memoirs, Reportage, journalism or collected columns, Social and cultural anthropology, Social and cultural history
Availability AU, GB, IE

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