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Photos: Myanmar beauty blogger battles bias with the hijab

Systematic persecution of Muslims is growing in Myanmar, rights groups say, and Muslims in the Buddhist-majority nation usually keep a low profile, but Win Lae Phyu Sin, one of the community’s rare beauty bloggers, has gone the other way. The 19-year-old's effort to impart a cool, chic vibe to the image of Myanmar Muslims has drawn admirers. Her tutorials are not merely about applying eyeshadow and highlighter, but also about building confidence and pride in an identity constantly questioned by Buddhist fellow citizens.

Updated on: Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM IST

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Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

Muslims in Buddhist-majority Myanmar usually keep a low profile, but Win Lae Phyu Sin, one of the community’s rare beauty bloggers, has gone the other way. The 19-year-old was the centre of attention at a recent launch of beauty products in Yangon, her make-up offset by a long-sleeved green-and-white gown and matching hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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“I don’t regret my decision to wear the hijab,” she said. “Our God opens many ways for me. Hijab is like a key for me. I can use it to go where I want to go, and do what I want.” Muslims, making about 5% of the nation of around 50 million, say they have not been able to open new mosques in decades and struggle to rent apartments from Buddhist landlords. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

“I don’t regret my decision to wear the hijab,” she said. “Our God opens many ways for me. Hijab is like a key for me. I can use it to go where I want to go, and do what I want.” Muslims, making about 5% of the nation of around 50 million, say they have not been able to open new mosques in decades and struggle to rent apartments from Buddhist landlords. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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Win Lae Phyu Sin shops for food at a Yangon market. Systematic persecution of Muslims is growing in Myanmar, rights groups say, though world attention has focused on its Rohingya Muslims. But many Muslims of all ethnicities have been refused national identity documents, and denied access to some places of worship, Burma Human Rights Network said last year. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

Win Lae Phyu Sin shops for food at a Yangon market. Systematic persecution of Muslims is growing in Myanmar, rights groups say, though world attention has focused on its Rohingya Muslims. But many Muslims of all ethnicities have been refused national identity documents, and denied access to some places of worship, Burma Human Rights Network said last year. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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For some of Win Lae Phyu Sin’s students, her tutorials are not merely about applying eyeshadow and highlighter, but also about building confidence and pride in an identity constantly questioned by Buddhist fellow citizens. “I saw her applying make-up while wearing the hijab and it’s amazingly beautiful,” said Hay Mann Aung, 20. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

For some of Win Lae Phyu Sin’s students, her tutorials are not merely about applying eyeshadow and highlighter, but also about building confidence and pride in an identity constantly questioned by Buddhist fellow citizens. “I saw her applying make-up while wearing the hijab and it’s amazingly beautiful,” said Hay Mann Aung, 20. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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Win Lae Phyu Sin’s effort to impart a cool, chic vibe to the image of Myanmar Muslims, with stylish clothes that match her hijabs, elaborate mascara, and eyeshadow layered in bold colors, has drawn admirers. She has 6,000 followers on Facebook and 600 students have attended more than 150 classes on the use of cosmetics run in a makeshift studio. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

Win Lae Phyu Sin’s effort to impart a cool, chic vibe to the image of Myanmar Muslims, with stylish clothes that match her hijabs, elaborate mascara, and eyeshadow layered in bold colors, has drawn admirers. She has 6,000 followers on Facebook and 600 students have attended more than 150 classes on the use of cosmetics run in a makeshift studio. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

Her high profile has also drawn criticism and discrimination: a Buddhist woman who enrolled in her class backed out discovering she was Muslim. Some Facebook commenters have attacked her for being too flamboyant and using make-up, which conservative Muslims regard taboo, but the blogger refuses to let critics waste her time. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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She started with tutorials on make-up in a bedroom shared with her sister, posting them on Facebook before offering classes. Graduating from high school, her boyfriend (L) gave her make-up palettes as a present. “I didn’t know how to use them so I Googled it and learned.” (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

She started with tutorials on make-up in a bedroom shared with her sister, posting them on Facebook before offering classes. Graduating from high school, her boyfriend (L) gave her make-up palettes as a present. “I didn’t know how to use them so I Googled it and learned.” (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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Win Lae Phyu Sin attends a high school reunion with her former classmates in Yangon. Acquiring professional expertise proved too expensive, so Win Lae Phyu Sin came up with the idea of six-hour sessions, aimed at regular “girls like me”, that cost less than $25. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

Win Lae Phyu Sin attends a high school reunion with her former classmates in Yangon. Acquiring professional expertise proved too expensive, so Win Lae Phyu Sin came up with the idea of six-hour sessions, aimed at regular “girls like me”, that cost less than $25. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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Win Lae Phyu Sin poses her former classmates and school teacher at her reunion. A year on, she brings to every lesson two bags packed with eyeliners, brushes and small mirrors for every student. At one recent session, she discussed skin types before handing out bottles of foundation and eyeshadow for students to try. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

Win Lae Phyu Sin poses her former classmates and school teacher at her reunion. A year on, she brings to every lesson two bags packed with eyeliners, brushes and small mirrors for every student. At one recent session, she discussed skin types before handing out bottles of foundation and eyeshadow for students to try. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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Win Lae Phyu Sin talks to a videographer after attending a beauty product launch event. She remains undeterred by those who denigrate her for being a Muslim and wearing a hijab that exposes the face. “’Don’t you know you will go to hell if you do that? Why don’t you take off the hijab during shooting?’” she quoted some Facebook critics as asking. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

Win Lae Phyu Sin talks to a videographer after attending a beauty product launch event. She remains undeterred by those who denigrate her for being a Muslim and wearing a hijab that exposes the face. “’Don’t you know you will go to hell if you do that? Why don’t you take off the hijab during shooting?’” she quoted some Facebook critics as asking. (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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“When people attack or criticise me outside and online, I choose to ignore them,” she said. “I have a lot of work to do.” And she added, “I will keep on doing this, because this is my passion.” (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

Updated on Aug 16, 2018 9:26 AM

“When people attack or criticise me outside and online, I choose to ignore them,” she said. “I have a lot of work to do.” And she added, “I will keep on doing this, because this is my passion.” (Ann Wang / REUTERS)

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