Hijab and Red Lipstick (Second Edition)
by Yousra Imran
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Pub Date 16 Apr 2026 | Archive Date 15 Apr 2026
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Description
As seen in Vogue.
“You cannot do anything in this country without my permission.”
For sixteen-year-old Sara, life has always been about following the rules; her father’s rules.
Makeup? Haram.
Fashion magazines? Haram.
Friends who don’t meet his approval? Definitely haram.
When her strict Egyptian dad moves the family to the Arabian Gulf, Sara’s world shrinks overnight. In a place where a woman’s freedom depends on a man’s permission, every dream feels out of reach. But Sara refuses to disappear quietly.
As her passion for writing, beauty and independence grows stronger, so does her courage to challenge the expectations that bind her. Can she stay true to her faith while finding her own voice, and a future she chooses for herself?
Candid, courageous and unforgettable, Hijab & Red Lipstick is a powerful coming-of-age story about identity, patriarchy and the fight to belong - inspired by the experiences of women who dare to defy.
This is a second edition release of the original novel, published by Hashtag Press in 2020, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the prize-winning indie publishing house. Yousra Imran won the Hashtag 2020 competition resulting int he publication of her novel. The second edition has been updated and refreshed, with additional content in the form of discussion questions, an updated author note, and resources.
The book contains sensitive and potentially triggering themes and it is not recommended for readers under the age of 16.
A Note From the Publisher
Hijab and Red Lipstick is a semi-autobiographical novel, which means the events in the book are closely based on those in my life, but I have changed names and certain details to protect identities.
In no way is this the story of every Muslim or Arab woman; however, it is the story of many women I know, including my own. In the weeks and months that followed the publication of the first edition in 2020, I received dozens of messages and emails from women around the world from different ethnicities and faith backgrounds, all saying the same thing — Hijab and Red Lipstick was their story.
I hope that if any of this story resonates with you or relates to your own experiences that you know you are not alone, and that there are people you can talk to who can help.
Advance Praise
"A powerful and beautifully written novel which unabashedly addresses the reality of life as a young, Muslim woman in a conservative family. Fast and well paced, the book touches on issues of misogyny, sexual harassment, domestic violence, expectation, identity and culture, never shying away from its nuances.” – Alya Mooro, bestselling author of The Greater Freedom
“Hijab and Red Lipstick is the story of a teenager who braves her family’s oppression and a society that forbids her from forging her own path. Her powerful story echoes the stories of many Arab and Muslim women fighting to break free from the shackles of patriarchy.” – Dalal Mawad, award-winning journalist and author of All She Lost
“Imran tells an empowering tale of self-discovery.” – Hafsa Lodi, Author of Modesty: A Fashion Paradox
“I inhaled this wonderful book. Yousra writes with passion and flair, and although the novel tackles some sensitive subjects, it doesn’t do it at the expense of good storytelling. Thought-provoking, compelling and very readable, this is a book that should be required reading for our generation and the generations to come.” – The Writing Institute
“An important story, harrowing and heartbreaking at times but lined with a sparkling gleam of hope and strength.” – @SafiyaReads
“Imran alchemises her experiences by birthing Hijab and Red Lipstick through trauma, and offering a space of hope and healing for herself and other survivors.” – The New Arab
Marketing Plan
Enquiries to publicity@hashtagpress.co.uk
Enquiries to publicity@hashtagpress.co.uk
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781913835446 |
| PRICE | £9.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 276 |