Though millions of Iranian women wear makeup daily, the state television channel has officially banned its use by female presenters. In a perplexing effort to explain the decision, the station’s top manager told The Washington Post that, technically, it’s illegal. We get that things like makeup and overly sexy mannequins are big “issues” in Iran, but give a girl a break. Intense TV lighting and multi-angle shots don’t exactly make it easy to look good. Perhaps it’s odd regulations like these that are driving Iranian viewers away to other channels. Who wants to watch tired-looking presenters on a channel where “abnormal” music and unruly children have also just been banned (seriously)? If ungodly American programming has taught us anything, it’s that rap, hot ladies and rule-breaking kids get the job done, ratings-wise. [The Washington Post]
