Abstract:
This thesis focuses on the experiences of women at beauty shops during violent
civil conflict. Though beauty services would seem to be a peacetime activity, the women
in this study indicated they continued to patronize beauty shops throughout the violent
civil war. The aim of this study is to shed light on the invisible interactions of women and
to find benefits associated with their time at beauty shops beyond the specific beauty
services. Beauticians continued to find ways to offer their services during the civil war.
Clients found ways to partake in beauty services despite there being physical risks to do
so. Findings of this study may provide resources for navigating the end of a violent
conflict, during peace building and reconstruction. The case study is the Liberian second
civil war and respondents were in Monrovia, the capital, and surrounding areas during the
conflict.
