5 Hijab Myths We Need to Leave Behind in 2018

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1.The Hijab Protects Women Against Sexual Assault

The myth that there’s a correlation between wearing the hijab and a low prevalence of sexual harassment and violence against women actually systematically victimizes them. Those that place blame on women who do not cover themselves and at the same time insinuate that women who are attacked while wearing the headscarf somehow did something to deserve it are essentially taking the blame away from the attacker. By placing the blame on the victim, it prevents future victims from speaking up about sexual assault.

2.You Have to Wear the Hijab Only if You’re Married 

Sometimes I wonder how people rationalize certain things they believe about religions. If this theory were true, I would have been married at 4 years old. I think that’s illegal. So yeah, absolutely not true.

3.You Have to Wear It All Day Every Day, Everywhere, At Any Given Hour

I laugh at this assumption all the time, especially those that innocently ask if we shower with our hijabs on. I personally don’t think that’s hygienic but to each their own!

4.Women Who Wear Hijabs Can’t Be Stylish

It is time this misconception vanishes. I mean, did you see the #HijabFashion hashtag on Instagram? The Muslim fashion industry is currently valued at $96 billion internationally, and mainstream fashion designers have even begun catering their style lines to the newly coinedhijab couture. Hijab couture has also reached America, as evidenced by the flowing long skirts, palazzo pants and turbans in style this year. The trend has been magnified by a refreshing new wave of Instagram and YouTube hijab fashion bloggers who erupted onto the blogger scene. You can read about some of those in this blog post. Recognizable and fashion-forward thinking, they push the limits on the hijab couture and modest fashion industries.

Nowadays, these women have seen as global influencers, summoned by fashion companies to act as representatives, ambassadors and promoters for different brands.

5.All Hijab-Wearing Women are Quiet, Voiceless and Traditional 

This is likely my favourite stereotype. Hijab-wearing women hear it again and again: “Where are your voices? Why are you not speaking up? Stand up and say something, you seem oppressed.” Women who cover are one of the most visible of Muslim communities; I think that alone speaks volumes. Muslim women who wear the hijab are also some of the most commonly attacked during Islamophobic hate crimes.

But despite these stereotypes, hijab-wearing women have been and will continue to be a vibrant community of women, who defy stereotypes by example, who succeed as neurosurgeons, Olympic competitors, and lawyers. We are also as diverse as the multi-coloured fabrics we so proudly display on our heads.

Of course, some Muslim women wear the headscarf are also quiet and shy — but they are not shy because of the covering.

Hijab-wearing women remain, time and again, the topic of popular discussion, yet consistently are told to sit down and keep quiet when they attempt to enter conversations about them. While that might have worked before, it won’t work much anymore: Muslim women who cover are not willing to remain silent any longer, entering mainstream media, culture, and production industries as individual forces to be reckoned with. Want an example? You just finished reading an article written by a woman who happens to wear the hijab.

 

7 Simple and Easy-To-Do Hijab Hair Care Tips: Hair Care Under the Hijab

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As a Muslim female, it can be very difficult to take care of your hair when you wear a hijab every day. We get so used to just throwing it in an uncombed bun and calling it a day by quickly putting on a hijab. Here are a few quick tips that can very beneficial for our Muslim sisters who wear the hijab:

1.Treat Your Hair At Least Once a Week

Life can get so busy at times that you forget to tend to your hair. Try to pick one day out of the week to treat your hair. I choose to do this on the days where I am already having a self-care afternoon or evening, usually on Sundays. I’ve noticed that it is best to use natural homemade hair masks for the best results. I also stacked up on leave-in conditioners and it does wonders for your hair. One combination I use during the winter months when my hair is super dry and needs a moisture boost is avocado, honey and olive oil. Also, one of my favourite leave-in conditioners is the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Leave-In Conditioner.

2.Put Oil In Your Hair!

The best thing you can do is put oil in your hair. To prevent your hair from getting too dry and brittle you MUST put oil in it. Some of us have naturally dry hair so moisturizing it occasionally would help your hair tremendously. What I usually do is mix a few oils together into a spray bottle and focus on moisturizing the roots and the ends of the hair. Also, try to minimize washing your hair to only once a week with shampoo. On the days where it isn’t hair care day for me, I usually just use conditioner only and follow up with a leave-in conditioner before I use my oil blend.

Some of the oils I add to my blend include peppermint oil to help stimulate the scalp, tea tree oil, Jamaican black castor oil to promote hair growth, avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. I use a spritzer bottle from Amazon since I don’t have a beauty supply store near me.

 

3.Make Sure to Thoroughly Dry Your Hair Before You Put On Your Hijab

When time is not on your side you will be tempted to just tie your hair in a bun while it is wet and put on your hijab. I’m so guilty of this myself, especially in the mornings when I wash my hair and I’m in such a hurry. Tying up your hair while wet is more prone to breakage and it can be very damaging to your hair. My suggestion would be to find a time where its best to wash your hair to allow it to dry naturally. If this isn’t possible and you wash it before you have to leave, then I suggest using a t-shirt to first dry the hair. I then use a heat protector after my regular leave-in conditioner and oil blend and use a blow dryer on medium heat at a safe distance a few inches from my hair. This is important to do so that I do not dry out the hair too much and retain as much moisture as possible.

4.Let Your Hair Down

Wearing a hijab all day with your hair tied up can make it hard for your hair to breathe. Make it a habit to untie your hair and let it loose after having it under the hijab all day long. Try to also give yourself a quick head massage to increase the blood circulation to your scalp. When doing a head massage, turn your head upside down so that blood can rush to your head and by massaging the head it will help the circulation of blood to the scalp. This can potentially stimulate hair growth.

5.Use Silk Bonnets and Pillowcases to Protect Your Hair While You Sleep

Silk pillowcases help reduce friction to limit hair breakage or damage. Also, because it is silk the pillowcase doesn’t pull on your hair while sleep. I also recommend using a silk bonnet if you do not have a silk pillowcase. They both essentially function in the same way, just in different styles. Both of these items also help retain moisture. You can find these in most beauty supply stores if you live in a major city, or you can get them on Amazon.

6.Get Regular Trims

Let’s face it, split ends are not pretty. They can make your hair look brittle and lifeless and trust me you do not want that. Split ends also can continue to split up the length of your hair if you do not trim them regularly. By scheduling a regular trim on a schedule of about every 3-4 months can help keep your beautiful hair stay that way and can also encourage growth. Who wouldn’t want that?

7.Wear an Underscarf to Protect Your Hairline!

As mentioned before in my blog about hijab care tips, wearing an under scarf has many advantages. Besides keeping your hijab collection in good shape, it can also protect your hairline from thinning. As mentioned above with the use of silk pillowcases and bonnets, the same ideology can be applied here. A silk underscarf will act as a slippery surface and protect the hair from rubbing on the hijab material if it isn’t silk or something similar. Also, try not to wear your hijab too tight! This can actually cause headaches/migraines for some. In fact, I had a friend literally cut her ear from wearing her under scarf too tightly!

While doing some research to find something to help me out when it came to products that took into consideration I was a Muslim woman who wore the hijab, I stumbled across @NatashaSomalia.

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Motivational Monday! STOP WASTING TIME! Stop procrastinating! Stop leading people on! Stop being late! Stop making excuses! Stop comparing yourself to others! Stop being negative! And Stop talking yourself into being sick! Stay on track, don't look back. You have come too far not to finish what you started. You can improve, you can change, you can progress, you can make a difference. You can do it, if you stay on TRACK. WHY DO WE CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF US SO MUCH!! Stop minding other people's business. What they are thinking about you! their business. Don't mind it get off it. NEVER GIVE UP🖤 #iamNatashaSomalia #stressfree #motivation #success #inspiration #business #lifestyle #goals #love #life #successful #entrepreneurship #money #happy #marketing #entrepreneurs #hustle #motivational #inspire #businessowner #wealth #work #luxury #determination #networkmarketing #businesswoman #grind #entrepreneurlife #boss #dedication

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She is a Muslim woman who has been a hairdresser for 27 years. She created a line of products directed at women who wear the hijab called Covered Infusion. She even designed her own comb to help tease apart matted hair – let’s be honest, we’ve been there in that stage of our hair!

Do you have any other hijab hair care tips that you would like to share? Sign up and join the conversation.

5 Simple Ways to Flawless Skin With or Without Makeup

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Cleanse 

I always wash, tone and hydrate my skin to create a blank slate for my makeup. I allow time for the moisturizer to sink into my skin prior to using a primer. When taking your makeup off, double cleanse! Massage facial oil with your hands to remove your make up and then follow up with a face wash of your choice.

Pro Tip: Instead of buying expensive facial oils, you can household products like coconut and olive oil! They do an excellent job of removing all your makeup.

Know Your Skin Type, Know Your Products

Do you have dry, oily, normal or combination skin? Knowing this will help you decide on all your products from your face wash to your foundation. Personally, my skin is oily in the summertime and drier during the winter months. If you have oily skin, make sure to cleanse more often to keep your pores clear of bacteria and oil build-up, which will help prevent breakouts. Also, using mattifying primers and matte foundations would help keep oil and shine at bay. For dry skin, hydrate hydrate hydrate! Use skin oil and hydrating products. Knowing your skin goes a long way to make flawless.

Pro Tip: Hydration is important for maintaining flawless skin for all skin types. Make sure you get plenty of water throughout the day to help flush out the toxins from your body and give you radiant skin.

Know Your Shade, Know Your Tone, Know the Difference

In a time with 40+ shades of foundation for many major makeup brands, it can be hard to pick the perfect one for you. Shade would be the actual colour of your skin and can change throughout the seasons. Going lighter may lead you to appear ashy and dry, and going darker will leave you with a forced tanned look that won’t match your neck and hands. The tone is your undertone and the most common tones are warm, cool and yellow. Swatching will determine best what colour and tone match the undertone of your skin.

Pro Tip: I recommend swatching on your face, preferably your cheek, and not on your hand because most people’s face and hands are not the same skin tone.

Colour Correcting

Have dark-spots? Just got a very red pimple? Colour correcting is here to help. By using colour-correcting products under your foundation, you can cancel out the colour that you want to cover. Red is ideal to conceal dark spots under your eyes, green is great for redness, and yellow and/or orange is good for veiny purple under eyes or a random bruise.

Contour and Highlight

If you want instant definition on your face, creating a shadow and highlight in strategic areas can help. Try to go two shades lighter than your skin tone under your eyes with concealer and two shades darker to contour under your cheekbone and jawline.

Pro Tip: Go only one shade darker when you are contouring your nose. Also, make sure to blend harsh lines or it will throw off your whole look.

 

 This article was written and submitted by Maryan. Her Instagram handle is @Makeup_bymaryan. 

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Happy Holidays! Diamond Cut Crease 💎 Eyes: primed with @colourpopcosmetics concealer in 00 Fair @anastasiabeverlyhills #softglampalette in; Rustic, Cypress Umber and Noir. @fentybeauty #fentykillawattfoil in Diamond Ball Out and #fentydiamondbomb in How Many Carats Topped with @stilacosmetics #glitterandglow in Diamond Dust Brows: @anastasiabeverlyhills #sultrypalette in Distopian Lips : #fentymattemoiselle in Griselda #melaninpoppin #makeuptutorial #makeupaddict #holiday #toronto #tuesday #hijab #somali #canadian #eyemakeup #eyebrows #eyeshadow #colourpopme #yesfentybeauty

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How Do You Respond as a Muslim When Someone Wishes You a Merry Christmas?

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It’s that time of year again – the season where you have to awkwardly end conversations with your peers and co-workers in creative ways. And yet till this very day, I still struggle with finding a suitable and appropriate way to respond when someone says Merry Christmas at the end of a conversation. So how do you respond when someone wishes you a Merry Christmas?

I have worked and gone to school in spaces with all sorts of different religions and cultures. During late November and most of December, the preparations for Christmas begin everywhere. You see the commercials for gift ideas on television, the ads on social media, the stores and malls filled with red and white décor, and so on. And then the sayings – the wishes begin. ‘Merry Christmas’ becomes the new ‘goodbye’ ‘hello’ and ‘take care!’ It has become so routine for some that they do not discriminate or filter who they say it to either. Saying Merry Christmas has become so mainstream that the fine line between religion and a holiday phrase has become blurred for those using the term.

Being in public places and institutions during this time frame as a Muslim brings about a lot of first-world problems. Almost every other conversation ended with someone saying ‘Merry Christmas’ ‘Happy Holidays!’ and so on. I would have classmates, patients at my workplace, and non-Muslim friends of mine commonly wishing me farewell for the holiday season. During every single one of these encounters, you could blatantly see my confusion and fear wash over my face as they stood there waiting for a similar well-wish statement back. I never knew what to say or how to respond without looking like the ‘extremist Muslim friend.’

Along with the slogan for the holiday season come the gifts you receive. I received many gifts in the past years and I always felt guilty and had a look of confusion as I would awkwardly take the gift.

What do I say? Can I take it? Is this entire situation haram and should I give it back? Do I have to bring a gift for them tomorrow? Help!

Quickly I would take the gift with a forced warmish smile and mumble something along the lines of ‘thank you’ and quickly place the gift on my desk, hoping something would come up or my desk phone would ring to save my life. The gifts would range from small chocolates and cards to big, neatly wrapped boxes that I would have to find a way to carry home. But the burning thought in my head was that I just let someone give me a gift and said to have a happy day associating partners with Allah. I was conflicted and honestly lost for an alternative that wasn’t going to be hurtful to the person who was trying to be nice.

So I started to get creative – last year I mentally prepared myself for this season in advance. I had to know what to say and how to say it without sounding rude, unappreciative, and most of all, awkward. A friend of mine told me to respond to a ‘Merry Christmas’ exchange by responding with ‘Merry Christmas – to you’ but that sounded kind of standoffish and so unlike me. So I settled on a couple of middle ground comments back:

Okay, bye! – When someone says it at the end of a conversation (and quickly walk away – not in the same direction!)

Seasons greetings! – I mean, it is a season and I am greeting you…right?

Happy holidays! – This one still confuses me because honestly – What is the holiday that I am saying to be happy for?

Yes this list isn’t the greatest, now do you see the dilemma? I do know this though – I am a Muslim woman. As a Muslim, we are to be kind and to treat others with respect. So that was what I decided to go with. By smiling and even at times telling them as a Muslim I did not participate in the holiday but I wished them well, I knew I was not compromising my religious beliefs for a gift or cheerful moment. I would thank them for the gift and silently make dua for them.

What are your experiences in this type of situation? How do you avoid the awkwardness?

 

 

5 Must-Have Baby Products for First Time Moms

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Being a first-time mom brings about a million and one emotions – happiness, joy, a fresh start, fear, anxiety … need I continue? Well, don’t worry you are not alone and you can help make this time a beautiful transition for you and your growing family. Here are a few things I found to be extremely helpful when I was pregnant with my first-born and I hope this will help those who are feeling anxious and scared about being a new mom.

1.Pick a Baby Bottle that is Close to Breastfeeding

 

I researched a million baby bottles and came across so many that I was overwhelmed. Dr. Brown, Avent, Tommy Tippie, you name it I read and read about them to cure my insomnia. Ultimately, one bottle stood out among the rest, Comotomo Baby Bottles. Comotomo baby bottles are designed to closely imitate breastfeeding to help eliminate your baby rejecting the bottle’s nipple. It has a unique neck design that is ultra-wide, which makes it super easy to clean with or without a brush for those nighttime feeds. It helps with colic by having two anti-colic vents on the nipple. This will reduce the amount of air your baby sucks while feeding and reducing colic. My favourite part about this bottle is the material it is made with. It is made with medical-grade silicone, which makes it lighter than most bottles and makes it easier for your baby when they are able to hold up their own bottle. It also comes with cute accessories like these handles, green and pink. It is safe to use in a microwave, boiling water, dishwashers, and sterilizers.

 

2. Reduce your Waking Hours During the Night with a Powerful Machine

 

Probably one of the BEST gifts I received after giving birth was the Baby Brezza Formula Pro. It makes those nighttime feeds when you already are sleep deprived less of a hassle. You fill one side with water (distilled or boiled, remember it’s a newborn baby!), and the top with formula. The water doesn’t have to be perfect because this amazing machine will heat the water you add to near body temperature, which is optimal for your baby. There are different settings for how much milk it will make – 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ounces to be exact. It doesn’t matter what formula you use and works so well with any bottle size so it can grow with your baby. Each formula fill can make about 20 8-ounce bottles. It is super easy to clean and easy to refill when necessary. The Baby Brezza Formula Pro instructions are simple to follow and beyond convenient for those first few weeks postpartum.

3. Pump Like a Pro and Never Miss a Feed with This

Not everybody will want to breastfeed directly, and some babies take longer to latch than others. And that is okay. If you truly want to breastfeed but cannot seem to get your precious newborn to latch, or if you had a C-section and are having a hard time holding your baby while trying to feed, this one is for you. The Medela Pump In Style Double Electric Breast Pump became my best friend – second, of course to my baby – and I was beyond relieved when I could pump both sides at the same time without wasting precious sleep time. It is a little pricey for a double breast pump, and luckily Medela does have a cheaper option. There is the Medela Swing Single Electric Breast Pump, which is also perfect for when you are on the go or travelling and need to do a quick pump. The Medela does have come with cool accessories, like their breast milk storage bags and their super convenient and easy to use quick clean micro-steam bags. They also have great extras like their disposable nursing pads and my relief from cracked nipples, lanolin cream.

4. Imitate the Womb from the Outside to Help Your Baby Adjust to their New Surroundings

There are so many swings out on the market today and it honestly was a lot of work trying to pin down a good one without wasting money in case my baby didn’t like it. I asked a lot of moms and what they used and the consensus was easy to determine which was going to be a good match for me. The Rockaroo was an excellent fit. It has many features like different swing styles, speeds, and sounds. It mimics your heartbeat like your baby would have heard if they were still in the womb, and it even connects to your phone via Bluetooth! You can control all the features along with whatever soundtrack you want to play and it is a quick soother for those sleepless nights.

5. Get as Close to a Good Night’s Sleep with your Baby

We all have that fear of co-sleeping with our baby and accidentally rolling over on them – believe me, I had nightmares about this all the time! I searched everywhere for a way to sleep close to my baby without actually having to, and that’s where this bassinet came in. The Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet was my ultimate choice for a couple of reasons. It had a flat surface which was important to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and a calming motion that could be started up by me or by my baby! It also has two light modes and a feature to stop the rocking motion in case it startles your baby. My personal favourite feature was the sides – yes the sides! It had mesh on both sides to ensure my baby was breathing ok while he was asleep and I didn’t have to worry about him rolling onto his side and suffocating against the side of the bassinet.

I hope my suggestions for first-time mom tips were helpful and my recommended products eased some of your worries! Congratulations and good luck with your new transition and journey!

5 Tips to Keeping up stay at Home for Muslim Moms

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Being a stay-at-home mom to the general public sounds like the easiest gig in the world, right? Wrong! The misconceptions that come with being a stay-at-home mom are actually alarmingly way off from what the reality is. I was always a working woman who contributed to society. I paid my taxes, worked two jobs, and maintained a regular healthy lifestyle alongside my husband. I was up at the crack of dawn and came home just before midnight. I never had time for anything let alone myself during the busy Monday to Friday hectic work schedules I had so my weekends were gold to me. Given this fact, I still found it hard to do grocery shopping, do my weekly DIY facemask, make a home cooked meal and find time to spend with my husband, family, and friends. Sounds like the rest of the world right?

As soon as I gave birth and went on maternity leave, I became a stay-at-home mom. My son is now 10 months old Alhamdulillah, and the constant question of going back to work has been on my mind. But when I thought about the pros and cons of going back to work or staying home with my son, I barely saw a difference besides I’d be getting paid for my hard work if I had a job.

Being a stay-at-home mom is a not a part-time, full-time, or casual job. It is a 24/7, all hours, everyday career. People often say things like ‘but you’re home! You can sit on your couch all day and do nothing!’ ‘You must be bored!’ ‘You get to sleep all day!’ Newsflash: I don’t even have time to take a shower long enough to wash my hair thoroughly. This is also how I feel with only one child, so obviously, my heart goes out to those mothers with more than one child.

In between diaper changes at 3am, making bottles at all hours of the day, cleaning up the house, making all the meals for everyone else in the home, grocery shopping, preparing my baby’s meals for the day AND using the bathroom – yes I factor in this time as well – it is hard to keep up with my 5 daily prayers. I found myself downloading apps, setting reminders, making wudu and then also found myself choosing to make my baby’s bottle, change a diaper first and by the time I was ready to pray it was already time for the next prayer. I needed to make a change ASAP because this wasn’t working and my faith is everything to me as a Muslim. I came up with a couple of ideas as to how to pray on time and effectively to ensure I never missed a prayer when I was physically able to pray.

1.Download Apps So You Get Notifications to Alert You When It’s Time to Pray 

Apps like Athan: Prayer Times & Quran are extremely helpful. They also have duas and provide with help finding the prayer direction and where to face for the Qibla. Also, check with your local mosque and see if they have their own app. Some mosques have their own application and the prayer times are more accurate for your location. They can also have details about events happening at the local masjid.

2.Set Aside Your Prayer Clothes in a Specific Location in Your Home Beside Your Prayer Mat 

This was a big help for myself personally. I had a designated abaya and hijab I love praying in. So instead of putting them away after every time I offered prayer, I decided to keep it in a separate location along with the prayer mat. This made praying on time more effective for myself instead of scrambling to go to my closet every time I was about to pray.

3.Make it a Habit to Make Wudu Every time You Use the Bathroom 

This one right here was a game changer for me! I didn’t realize how time-consuming it was to make wudu just before praying, knowing I had barely 5 minutes to pray and rush back to care for my baby. So I made it a habit to always have wudu on me. I did this by making wudu after every time I would use the bathroom. I was already in the bathroom anyway and this would save me a trip to the bathroom while my baby unsupervised when I was home alone with him.

4.Ask For Someone to Watch Your Baby While You Pray 

As a mom and I think it is safe to say as a woman, we tend to often not ask for help when we need it. If you aren’t home alone and it is time to pray, ask that person to watch your baby for you. It won’t take more than 10 minutes usually and if that person is also a Muslim they would understand the importance of praying on time.

5.Set Up a Safe Play Area for Your Baby to Play or Lay in While You Pray 

If you are home alone and your baby is just not cooperating with you, then set up a safe play area or clean out their crib and place them in there. This has helped me immensely. When we finally had our Crib delivered for our baby, I would pray in our room where the crib was and place my baby in there. That way I knew he was somewhere safe and I would be able to tend to him when I was finished praying quicker than if he was in another room and not in a secure place.

I hope this helps all the new moms and current moms who are already dealing with a million and one things. If you have any other tips to contribute please let me know below. To comment you need an account, so please sign up and join the conversation. Your comment can benefit others!

How to Keep Your Hijabs Clean and Look Brand New – 7 Easy Tips for Home Hijab Care

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If you wear a hijab every single day yet don’t think twice about taking care of it – you are not alone. Believe me, you’d be surprised. It’s very easy to just throw it off as soon as you get home and don’t think twice about the creasing or delicacy of the material until you have to wear it again the next day.

Even those of us who actually take the time to care for their hijabs have normal wear and tear damage that can take a toll on our go-to favourites. Here are a few hijab care tips we think will help keep your hijabs in great shape for all seasons and occasions.

1. Wear an Underscarf

If you wear your hijab directly on top of your hair, whatever hair products you have on your hair will rub and smear all over your hijab. It can also cause hair damage if the material of the hijab isn’t soft or light. By wearing an underscarf, preferably silk, it can make your hijab look much smoother on your head and keep your delicate hijab clean.

2. Use Special Pins

For those of us who like trying new hijab styles and trends, we use the help of pins. The thing is, many of us use the wrong techniques when doing so and end up ruining the threading of our beloved hijabs. By using special pins designed to do exactly what you are looking for while not tugging at the threading of the hijab, you can complete your look discreetly and achieve your style.

Great hijab-friendly online stores such as Heart Hijab and Modanisa have great hijab pins that are wearable for any occasion. Even though they are based in the UK and Turkey respectively, they both offer worldwide shipping!

3. Handwash as Much as Possible

It sounds so old school but believe me – it works. Most hijabs are made from soft and light fabric that can be more easily damaged by the spinning of a washing machine. Separate your lights from your darks to prevent staining on your lighter coloured hijabs.

4. Air Dry

Hang dry your hijab on a towel bar in your bathroom to help maintain their shape. You can also lay them on a flat surface. If you prefer to hang them to dry outside, but make sure it’s in a shaded area away from direct sunlight to avoid fading of the fabric.

5. Iron on Reverse Side

If you need to smooth out the material and are in a rush, you can use an iron. Make sure the iron temperature is as low as possible and press on the reverse side of the fabric. If it is a silk hijab, make sure the hijab is still a little damp when ironing to not burn the material.

6. Treat Stains as Soon as Possible!

If you can get to a sink as soon as you get a stain on your hijab, spot treat it ASAP! The sooner you get rid of it, the better the chances you’ll be able to save your hijab. Just use a dab of detergent, dish detergent works best, and work on the stain with your fingertips. You only need to wash the stained part and the small surrounding area in cold water. If you don’t have access to running water, just blot clean by using a paper towel to dab the stained area.

Pro Tip: sunscreen, lotions, and makeup usually have oil in their products. By using dish detergent on these stains, it can effectively help lift the oils off your hijab without damaging the material.

7. Store Your Hijabs in a Different Area From the Rest of Your Clothes

Keep all your hijabs in clean and dry areas. I personally like to fold and place my hijabs in a separate drawer from the rest of my clothes. If they are regular wear ones, I usually hang them but also separate from my other clothing so that no zippers or pieces of other clothing get caught on them.

For my special occasion hijabs, I like to roll them and store them away from my other hijabs.

I hope some of these tips and tricks can help with your hijab care techniques! If you take care of them, you can limit the number of times you wash or iron your hijabs and get them to last for years.

Are there any other tips you know and do that aren’t mentioned above? Let us know to help other sisters out!

Model in the photo is on Instagram, @shamhad_

5 Modest Hijab Fashion Instagrammers You Need to Follow Right Now

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Instagram is no doubt the location to find modest hijab fashion inspiration for your outfit needs and wants. Here are some accounts we found that are highly recommended and these women mean fashion business!

@shahdbatal

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Just posted an outfits of the week vid on my channel with my fav picks from @asos @asos_us ❤️ http://liketk.it/2yy7J #liketkit @liketoknow.it #ad

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Shahd Batal is a black Muslim woman living in LA and is no stranger to the fashion world. She brings about so much flavour to her Instagram page and shows us an inside scoop of her daily life and beauty products. She also has a Youtube channel where she has relatable videos about the Muslim community, vlogs, and a Shai with Shahd segment that is super cute and fun to watch.

@chinutay

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🎩 #lastnight 🖤

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Manal is a Canadian fashionista who is married and her Instagram photos with her hubby are the absolute cutest! She also has a Youtube channel where she and her husband travel while giving us the fun side of being married. She gives out amazing skincare tips that are helpful and easy to try! She is also expecting her first baby and we are here for the journey sis! Mabrook!

@ashwaaqfidar

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📸 Photo By @tamhid_nafi Outfit: @prettylittlething #plt #pltstyle #prettylittlething Coat: @primark #primark #streetstyle #fashion #style #classyoutfit #fashionlover #marloparis #dosesofstyle #100flavoursUk #majorstreetstyle #fashion4perfection #muslimahapparelthings #rebelgal #revolveme #streetstylelondon #theoutfitscrapbook

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Ashwaaq is a Birmingham beauty who is killing the fashion game with her looks. She also is an amazing makeup artist and serves us looks on the gram that we cannot get enough of. HerYoutube Channel is filled with shopping hauls she does and tries on her fashion buys with cute commentary!

@forever_muslim

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#tb to summer 🌸

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Aziza is a part-time Youtuber and a full-time fashion guru. She and her husband are adorable in their photos on her page and she always brings the looks but also shows us her home decor photos and we love them! If you check out her Youtube Channel you’ll find lookbooks, recipes, and decor inspo.

@zeinahnur

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9 months preggo today!!!😬😬 I was 8 months in this photo. My bump size was the same when I was preggo with Malik too, people always said first babies bump is always small and the more you have the bigger you get, but apparently not. Everyone’s body type/shape/size is just different and so the same would apply for bumps me thinks. But I deffo don’t look 9 months, when I ask people to guess they guess 3 months, I mean.. Really? But hey, I ain’t complaining. Alhamdulillah, cause even though I have a week left, I’m not uncomfortable at all, am so so greatful for that. But I am soooooo sad my pregnancy journey is coming to an end😭😭😭 But so excited to meet baby iA! _______________________________________________________ I have a what I eat in a day while pregnant+ a pregnancy update& I share why am getting induced. It’s up tomorrow. But request for prayers for me& baby please, I’ll really appreciate it. If you want me to pray for you, let me know. More than happy to!💕_______________________________________________________ #9monthspregnant #stylethebump #boohoo #myboohoostyle #zeinahnur #induction #youtuber

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Zeinah Nur is a beauty who does not fall short of gorgeous. A new mom and a Youtuber who shows us her cooking game for us who need recipe ideas, she is a page that has lots to offer while giving us modest fashion looks that are both beautiful and comfortable. Her Youtube Channel is filled with travel, shopping, and food – three things we obviously already love!

We hope you enjoyed our list and we definitely have more Instagram Fashionistas to feature, this is not our only list! Be sure to check out these lovely ladies and make sure to subscribe to their Youtube channels. Is there anyone else you think deserves to be recognized? Let us know below!

What’s the Deal with Skin Bleaching and How is it Still Happening?

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admin
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1

Skin whitening or bleaching has low-key been a topic of discussion that is so subtle to everyday conversations for so many women and girls that it actually sounds acceptable and right when people try to justify it. As dangerous as this phenomenon sounds – it’s actually extremely common and popular in a lot of countries in the world, especially in Africa and Asia. It consists of using substances, mixtures, or physical treatments to lighten the skin tone. It sounds more tasteful with phrases such as ‘toning cream’ being used to describe them and have misleading photos of women with fair skin on the packaging. These products or treatments attempt to reduce the skin’s melanin content – literally.

In the beginning, the results seem to be favourable and it does seem to be making the skin applied on to look lighter. However, over time, it makes the skin tone appear purple, feels tingly and tight. You can almost notice a strange new skin tone emerge that looks washed out or grey-ish, almost sickly.

Sound crazy and actually ridiculous? Well, it is, and most of the chemicals that are used in the skin bleaching creams are legit illegal. Substances like hydroquinone and mercury are banned in most countries, but somehow still over half of the skin brightening or whitening products sold still contain these ingredients. Hydroquinone is a strong inhibitor of melanin production, which literally means it prevents dark skin from making the substance responsible for skin colour. It works to disrupt the synthesis of melanin and results in hyperpigmentation of the skin. With continue constant use of this stuff, it can cause leukaemia and serious irritation of the affected skin areas.

The pressure to be lighter and fairer affects Asian and Black communities the most. We have been conditioned for years, centuries and generations upon generations to innately believe that light skin is the right skin; white is right, fair and lovely is the only way to be attractive. The media does this daily and it creeps into our subconscious. Images of white models or fair skinned African or African American cast member in movies and prime-time shows only contribute and enhance this subliminal trend. Makeup companies, in the past at least, were notorious for not carrying a diverse shade range in products for women who are darker skin toned, which psychologically can impact how darker skinned women feel rejected from society and need to change what they look like to even purchase products to use and feel more beautiful.

You hear phrases like ‘you’re pretty for a dark skinned girl’, ‘you have beautiful features for a black girl, you’re good looking for a dark-skinned gal’

There are ways to tell when someone bleaches their skin. Some people use it every day; using it as a treatment to fix a ‘problem’ they believe they have. Those who bleach usually avoid sensitive areas like their eyes or the creases in skin folding areas such as the knuckles on their hands and the front of their knees. By doing this, these areas are noticeably darker than the rest of their bleached skin. Some women avoid placing the skin bleaching products near their eye area and it results in them having sickly racoon eyes that appear even darker against their newly bleached skin surrounding the eye area! However, those that do place the dangerous products near the eye area have that region over the years turn into a leather-like canvas.

I did a lot of digging, and the things some of the women had to say were literally cringe-worthy. They mentioned that the affected skin appears to be burnt, with visible red sores that cover the face from itching and scratching away when the skin was irritated. Some develop rashes and big pimples that don’t go away resulting in major scarring and patches of dark spots.

Some of these creams contain high levels of toxic mercury and can lead to mercury poisoning, which can manifest in psychiatric, neurological problems. This is also extremely dangerous for pregnant women who can potentially pass on mercury to their unborn child.

You think that’s all bad? Here are a few more of the side effects of the illegal creams that are so outrageous that it’s unbelievable:

  • Fetal damage
  • Kidney, nerve and liver damage
  • Scarring of the skin
  • Thinning of the skin
  • Increase the risk of skin cancer

Rwanda has been recently applauded for standing up to the efforts of skin bleaching epidemic and is now actively working to blacklist over 1000 skin bleaching products from their streets and shelves. Over a thousand. Wow.

Despite all of this, the skin bleaching market is globally getting larger. Most recently, Blac Chyna collaborated with Dencia, the creator of a “skin brightening” cream Whitenicious to promote the cream in Nigeria. The skin bleaching cream sold for $250 USD a jar. In Africa. Celebrated and beauty influencer in the Youtube and Instagram industry Jackie Aina took to Twitter to express her distaste for the product which re-sparked the skin bleaching debate. The public outcry was enormous and re-verbalized a lot of thoughts and anxieties people faced with this issue. Jackie was never one to shy away from the topic of colourism, and made it her YouTube mission to show why representation matters.

Jackie Aina also uploaded a YouTube video in regards to her thoughts and opinions on the matter and discussed the importance of why representation matters in the black community. She beautifully broke down the reasons as to why black women need to uplift themselves and those around them, the importance of having a platform and using it wisely to address topics that are dangerous and harmful to both the mind and body and to educate the masses on trends and misconceptions in the beauty industry. She shared her opinion on popularizing skin bleaching and the impact it has on black women especially those who are vulnerable and don’t have the financial accessibility to even purchase the pricey products.

 

 

Sidenote: I stan for Jackie Aina. Okay, end of sidenote.

 

The skin bleaching market is on the rise and it does not look like its losing momentum any time soon. It is extremely painful to know that countries and regions in areas filled with naïve, uninformed consumers are being taken advantage of due to the world view them as less appealing to the eye to market their dangerous products freely. A lot of African countries like Nigeria and Jamaica continue to have underground markets for blacklisted products. Celebrities like Vybz Kartel who use the skin bleaching products personally even glorify it in their work. Vybz released a titled track called Cake Soap and even went on to defend his use of skin bleaching products.

So why do people still do this knowing all the harmful side effects it causes? Some people have low self-esteem, confidence issues, and some are just young and still figuring out their place in this world. I have watched YouTube videos of women and even young girls talk about how they feel dirty, unclean, and even ugly. By bleaching their skin, they feel like they are working on boosting their self-confidence levels and finding themselves. It’s so heartbreaking to see and hear beautiful and smart darker skinned women describe their skin to be so unattractive to them. You hear stories of young impressionable teenage girls starting to bleach their skin at higher rates and it is truly devastating. Like this woman for example, who destroyed her beautiful face with years of skin bleaching products and stunned her husband when she gave birth to a dark-skinned baby boy.

If anyone can stop this epidemic, I hope it is the doctors and social media influencers who have a platform to speak out and denounce this lethal and awful phenomenon. I applaud makeup brands increasing their shade ranges to be more inclusive. I also want to give a shout out to fashion brands on social media featuring different skin toned women wearing their clothing and encouraging representation of their consumers.

Have you or a loved one had experience with skin bleaching products and want to discuss its effects? What do you think of this topic and do you believe it will go away anytime soon? Let us know. Sign up and join the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts.

– Hijab Forum

If you already are not following Jackie Aina on Instagram, we’ve attached a direct link to her page here:

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here for a good time not for a long time ✨ drenched in @narsissist Monoi Body Glow I, Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Macao, Radiant Creamy concealer in amande, Taj Mahal + Exhibit A blush, Bord de Plage highlight palette, Atomic Blonde shadows on my eyes, Slow Ride powermatte lip pigment and @lillylashes Miami lash ❤️ photo by my one and only @mrworksmarter #NARSissist

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How to Start Your Successful Instagram Business Journey into 2019

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admin
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Instagram is one of the major apps social media users have an account with, with the most recent stats of more than 800 million monthly active users and that was back in September 2018! Of those active users, over 60% of them log into the app every single day and share over 95 million photos. That alone shows how effective the app can be to support the growth of a business or service. Learning how to set up an Instagram account for those who don’t have a physical store or a website is super easy and convenient. From a business standpoint, Instagram has made it simple and less time-consuming than other sites to help entrepreneurs with little to no start-up accessible funds start and grow their business from the ground up. You can use micro-stories to find out what entertains your audience and quickly grow a following based on those who share similar interests and goals. Here are a few steps I put together to help create a profile and start promoting your business on Instagram without breaking your bank.

 

1. Create a Profile that Lets People Know you Mean Business – Literally!

Your profile is the first impression people see when they click on your page. Here are a few tips to enhance your Instagram profile:

  • Have a display photo that is your logo, if you have one. This will set the tone your brand and be the first thing people see. Aim for a quality profile photo that accurately reflects your branding.
  • If you’re an influencer or a blogger, choose a picture of yourself that communicates who you are and what you do as accurately as possible.
  • Have a username that ideally is your brand name. Try not to make it too complicated and limit the use of symbols like underscores. If you have a website, make sure you link it in your profile.

When it comes to completing the Business Information section, link it to a Facebook page if you have one already created. That way whatever you post on Instagram will automatically post on your Facebook Page for your brand. Choose a category that is the closest to what your brand is about. Lastly, make sure you choose the most ideal contact option so that others may be able to reach you.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a creative eye but don’t want to pay ridiculous prices for help with a logo, try Fiverr. It has great pro services like logo making, promo videos, and graphic designing individuals who are looking for a quick gig. You can also negotiate and ask for more than one of each service or product to ensure you are satisfied with what you want to be completed for you.

Pro Tip #2: Include a keyword with your name. To make sure those who are in your niche notice your page and can find you, add a strong keyword in your name to help with searchability scores. For example, use the keyword as your ‘middle’ name even if the keyword isn’t apart of your official Instagram handle. If you need help finding a strong keyword, enter your niche into Ubersuggest Tool and see how you can use your keyword to the best of its ability.

 

2.Write an Eye-Catching and Appealing BioFirst impressions are everything and it literally takes a half a second for someone to form an opinion on who you are and what your brand is all about. Your bio plays the key role in the actions someone decides to take once they come across your page. It can make or break the decision for you to be followed, scroll through your content, or even click the link to your website. This is why it is incredibly important to make a great first impression with the content of your Instagram profile and what you write in your bio.

       A great Instagram bio should:

  • Explain a bit about you or your brand and what you do
  • Appeal to your target audience – know your niche!
  • Use your brand tone and voice to help you build a connection

3. Engagement Count Matters more than your Followers Count

You may have over 10,000 followers but only average about 2 comments per photo or video. The following count may seem high but when Google and Instagram see the ratio between your followers and your engagement, it actually does not look so good. This could mean a number of things: people probably like your page and what it stands for but your photos aren’t appealing or have a call to action. In some cases, it could mean the people liking the photo or following the account have been bought from a third party app. Now if you have a lower followers count but a high engagement ratio on your photos, this actually looks better when your page is analyzed by Google and Instagram algorithms. Also, companies that do sponsored ads and affiliate programs will take you more seriously when your ratio is more appealing and you will gain their attention better this way. If you aren’t sure if your numbers add up to algorithmic standards, try to average at least about 10% engagement when comparing your likes to your follower count.

4. Pay Attention to Your Colour Palette on your Account

A majority of the most successful Instagram accounts tend to use a colour palette for their photos. You can either pick colours that relate to your brand or use very soft colours with light backgrounds on your images. If you use a lot of quotes or do a lot of content posts, use the same font styles and alignment for each post.

Another thing that is extremely important is your captions! Captions are a great chance to enhance your content and to connect with your followers or customers. Think of it as a sharing section or a mini-blog. Use this space to ask questions and encourage replies and increase engagement. Try to also make it connect to what your photo is about so it is not messy and stays consistent.

Pro tip: Instagram captions have a limit to 2,200 characters and a maximum of 30 hashtags, so pre-write your captions and edit them in your Notes app on your smartphone before pasting it to your photo.

5. Consistency, Consistency, Consistency!

No matter how great you believe your product or service is, or how important your brand is, it won’t appear that way if you aren’t consistent with your activity on Instagram. This includes publishing and engaging in connecting with other users and how frequently you do so. By staying consistent and publishing regularly, it can help your audience learn when to expect new content from you. Try to set up a posting schedule for your page to maximize engagement without hitting any long stretches without any activity. People have a short attention span and will lose interest quickly, and can even unfollow you for lack of posts.

Pro tip: Use a free posting app like Hootsuite to help set up scheduled posts in advance. That way your page will stay active and interactive while you continue living your everyday life.

6. Respond to Comments and Direct Messages

Responding to comments is a great way to build a strong community on your Instagram page. If someone took the time and energy to share their thoughts or ask you a question, it’s very important to respond back to them and show them you appreciate them and are listening. By responding to comments and direct messages, your audience can be a great way to encourage positive feedback, word of mouth and function as brand advocates without you paying for marketing or ads. The more users feel connected to you, the more they are likely to recommend your product or services to their followers, friends, and family.

Bonus tip: Try creating a brand-specific hashtag

An Instagram marketing strategy to post consistent, quality content that aims to build your brand while also connecting on an individual basis with our community members are the key basics to Instagram success. One-on-one interactions and connections are vital, and by creating a brand-specific hashtag it can allow your community to tell a story about what they’re passionate about both personally and professionally. Also, when people search your hashtag, it can help others catch a glimpse of what your business is all about and see who else endorses your content!

Have any other tips and helpful suggestions that can help others grow their Instagram business? Let us know below!

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