Ethiopia: The Price of Beauty

Abera Cosmetics Shop was established in 1995 with a 7,000 Br investment, says Berhanu Tilahun, who runs the family business. Currently, setting up a similar cosmetics business could take up to half a million, he adds.

Back in the mid 1990's, Abera Cosmetics used to sell to its diverse customer base, mostly petroleum jelly, which most Ethiopians know by the brand name Vaseline, and hair oil products. At present, most cosmetics shops carry products starting from lip-gloss with popular brands such as Nivea, Victoria's Secret, and Elizabeth Arden, to artificial and human hair.

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