Baghdad stylist and salon owner Ahmed Morad endured dead bodies being dropped at his front door as a warning and his employees received death threats for working in the beauty industry just two years ago. All thanks to making a living out of helping women look beautiful — a practice forbidden by religious extremists.

These extremists feel that only husbands should see their wives without head scarves, nd women should not be allowed to alter their appearances.

With some security improvements, Morad is now back in business, and more women are exposed to fashionable looks outside of their realm due to exposure never available to them before. As the popularity of once-forbidden media rises, some women seek a more glamorous look and their eyes have been opened to global styles and fashion.

“The satellite channels are always showing these beautiful ladies, and the men are always looking for beauty,” said skin specialist Niran Ali. “The wives want to change just to be like what their husbands see,” she added. While I’m not one to advocate getting groomed only for a man, it’s good to see that Iraqi women have regained the choice to head to the salon if they choose.