Almost every street in Beirut is populated with beauty salons, which are not seen as pampering sessions, but a way of life in Lebanon, even for the busiest of mothers and the poorest of people in society.
There are four women to every man. Females are brought up from a young age influenced by their mothers, having beauty parties, teenagers and women having regular beauty appointments. Maya Hilal, founder and owner of Spa-Tacular Salon and Spa opened in July 2009. The idea was inspired by her daughters' visits to the hairdressers. "It was a very bad experience, the place was dull,and there was no colour. So I thought, why don't I just do a place just for kids?" Hilal explained she was supplying a social demand and creating a cheerful place for children. "It's nice during holidays, during weekends, it's a pampering thing, and a hygiene thing. It's the way you bring up your kids".
The First National Bank in Lebanon offers interest free plastic surgery loans, promising surgery to women who are under the age of 64 and employed. Which makes plastic surgery accessible for almost everyone.
With an increasing number of female teenagers undergoing Rhinoplasty operations, Carine, 17,fell into the craze. "Everyone did it this summer, they came back to school with band aids on theirnose. So I said, I hate my nose too, it's ok if I did it, its not a big deal".
As Lebanese women grow older, these social expectations in Lebanon do not change.