By Growing up and playing with different makeup products was cute and innocent back in my pre-teens.
So tell me this: Why is it as we transition into being young women that makeup becomes taboo amongst some Muslims?
Many defend their stance with the fact that God ordered us to stay true to ourselves, and not change our appearance, since He created us to look the best that we can.
Others tried to convince me that I was only wearing makeup to attract the opposite sex.
Many defend their stance with the fact that God ordered us to stay true to ourselves, and not change our appearance, since He created us to look the best that we can. Others tried to convince me that I was only wearing makeup to attract the opposite sex.
Excuses, excuses. I’m about to set the record straight on why some of us love makeup by telling you my own story.
Hopefully, it will lend some clarity so you makeup haters and critics back off.
I had always struggled with my self-esteem, trying to fit into clothes that my mother picked out. They would quickly become too small for me. Looking up to my sister’s style, I was constantly stealing clothes from her closet. No matter what size, what shape, what brand, nothing I wore made me feel pretty.
Middle school was by far the hardest; I began wearing the hijab. Good luck finding hijab-friendly clothes to wear in Florida! My outfits were all over the place, and I was all over the place trying to find my place in this sea of middle school kids that did not understand why I wore the headscarf.
Middle school was by far the hardest; I began wearing the hijab. Good luck finding hijab-friendly clothes to wear in Florida! My outfits were all over the place, and I was all over the place trying to find my place in this sea of middle school kids that did not understand why I wore the headscarf.
What they did understand was the art of picking on me. In the locker rooms, I’d be the one wearing the long sleeves under my uniform with others staring at me wondering, “Is this girl nuts?”
Toward the end of those hellish three years, I discovered this thing called eyeliner and I went ham (halal ham, of course).
Eyeliner everywhere, on my eyelid, on my waterline, darkening my eyebrows. My mom was like, “Yeah, whatever! Have fun with that. We’ll see where this goes.” Meanwhile, my sister would low-key judge me, but she mostly just let me be.
Fast forward to being halfway through high school, I’m scrolling through YouTube after a failed attempt of becoming a YouTube star, and I found a playlist of makeup tutorials.
That’s when all hell broke loose, and so did my wallet. Foundation, powder, mascara, all of it.
It’s strange. As I grew up, nobody cared about my sudden interest in makeup. It was just a “phase.” As a young woman now, some people take the time out of their day to spam my Instagram comments arguing with me over why the kohl on my eyelids–which is sunnah, blush on my cheek, and gloss on my lip is haram. Wait a minute, wasn’t it all fun and games just a couple years ago? Why the big deal now?
It’s strange. As I grew up, nobody cared about my sudden interest in makeup. It was just a “phase.” As a young woman now, some people take the time out of their day to spam my Instagram comments arguing with me over why the kohl on my eyelids–which is sunnah, blush on my cheek, and gloss on my lip is haram. Wait a minute, wasn’t it all fun and games just a couple years ago? Why the big deal now?
I didn’t start loving, experimenting, and wearing makeup because I wanted to change myself or impress anyone. I wore it for me. Surprised?
Read that again. It’s all me.
My confidence skyrocketed; I became my own person. I played around with different types of lipsticks, messed up on my eyeliner wings a couple of times, but sure as hell felt bomb. *Insert the heavily repetitive joke about why I shouldn’t say “bomb” as a Muslim.*
What I’m trying to say is that this ain’t about you, you, or you. This is about me.
What I’m trying to say is that this ain’t about you, you, or you. This is about me. I, and so many other girls, wear makeup because it enhances our features; not because Moe from the corner store is cute, or because I’m disappointed in the way Allah created me.
I, and so many other girls, wear makeup because it enhances our features; not because Moe from the corner store is cute, or because I’m disappointed in the way Allah created me.
I understand makeup isn’t for every girl, but it is for me.
I could count on my eyeliner to make my deep brown eyes pop, and my mascara to make my eyelashes reach my eyelids when I couldn’t even depend on others to respect me for my hijab.
I could count on my eyeliner to make my deep brown eyes pop, and my mascara to make my eyelashes reach my eyelids when I couldn’t even depend on others to respect me for my hijab.
I could depend on my blush to make me look alive after spending all day in bed because of a bad day. I could depend on my foundation to hide my acne instead of hiding behind everyone else’s shadows as I had done most of my life.
Like Drake said, “If I was doing this for you, then I’d have nothing left to prove….”
This is for me.
Girl, you do you! It just amazes me how so many ppl online pick and critique every little thing of a person, like assuming that she’s wearing makeup for a guy and therefore she’s a hoe, when they don’t even know her or her true intentions.
welcome to islam:
https://islamqa.info/en/21119
” I began wearing the hijab […] middle school kids that did not understand why I wore the headscarf.”
So, why do you wear the Hijab?
Wow…thats freakin ignorant of you. So I take it if this blogger were to stop wearing hijab due to your advice you are confident enough to stand in front of Allah and bear theburden of her sin?
The way you phrase your question reflects how dumb you are, I am sorry but just have to be frank. Thats like saying, whats the point of praying if you gonna innevitably sin afterwards? Whats the point of eating when you gonna poop afterwards? Whats the point of waking up when you gonna have ro sleep again later? Whats the point of living when you gonna die?
Phrase your words better next time. Remember they carry weight. Rasulullah said to advice others with wisdom. The vibe I got from you is arrogance, and a feeling of superiority. Be warry of those two attitudes because you know those were the sole reason Iblis got dragged from heaven to hell, from a honarable place to the highest disregard and shame.
“freakin ignorant of you. So I take it if this blogger were to stop
wearing hijab due to your advice you are confident enough to stand in
front of Allah and bear theburden of her sin?”
Really? Christian much? Have you read the Qur’an?
#1.You expound from Christianity where you nail a guy to a tree and he squirms in torment, cries in agony, takes the burden of your sins. Absolves you of them.
#2. In Islam everyone, without exception, is responsible for and bears the burden for ones own sins. No exceptions says the Qur’an.
#3. Tell me what does hijab mean to you? Reference hijab from the Qur’an. Show me where does Allah commands you to wear the hijab?
#4. Reference where Allah Commands that not wearing the hijab is a sin?
“The way you phrase your question reflects how dumb you are,”
Well then undumb me. Cite the references I requested above.
“I am sorry but just have to be frank.”
No need to be sorry. I want you to be frank with me. I respect people who are frank with me.
“Thats like saying, whats the point of praying if you gonna innevitably
sin afterwards?”
No, not really. You are confused about analogy, simile and metaphor. And intention, hypocrisy and commitment.
“Whats the point of eating when you gonna poop afterwards? Whats the point of waking up when you gonna have ro sleep again later?”
No knowledge of biology and physiology either.
“Whats the point of living when you gonna die?”
That is nihilist philosophy. Depressive suicidal ideation. Product of ill minds.
“The vibe I got from you is arrogance, and a feeling of superiority.”
Your vibes are genuine. You are honest. But when you are like me, it is hard
not to be arrogant. I am working on it, though. And it is not a “feeling of superiority” but knowing that you are superior. Period.
“Be warry of those two attitudes because you know those were the sole
reason Iblis got dragged from heaven to hell, from a honarable place to
the highest disregard and shame.”
Maybe so, but I am not as arrogant as Ibilis. Hopefully not as foolish. I am not satanic. I stand resolute against lies, may appear as arrogance to
some, and let the chips fall where they may. I am resolute and arrogant
against lies but humble before Truth.
Thank you for your frank advice, spiced with chastisement I must say. I admire your daring. You make up with passion what you may lack in knowledge. However, knowledge can be attained. Passion is inherent, rare, priceless.
Now you do me a favor, yourself too. Please get me those citations from the Quran. Maybe I missed them. Maybe as a woman you are aware of aspects, meanings you can see, that I don’t. You tell me what hijab means to you. Passion is impressive. Knowledge leaves an impression. I look to your cited opinion.
Thank you.
Hey, I’ve promised myself that I would not delete any of my comments (as I think you, as well, man to man had done). I’d be happy to remove my last two posts to you [elsewhere] provided we can both agree upon that. I simply wanted to say “Hi”, but put my own unfortunate twist upon that “Hello” to my own demise. Well, I’m exaggerating – but, I’m sure you get my point.
To delete or to not delete? I’m cool either way. I’m pretty sure that I myself misunderstood a situation where I simply wanted to greet you. It happens … unfortunately. And, really, I meant not to intrude.
I am a Muslim myself dude. -.-
I know for a fact that hijab is wajib, I practice it myself. I just made mention of the tone in which you advice others is, though your intention may be pure, might be counter intuitive.
There are some people who is slowly transitioning into wearing a hijab the right way, but if us “practising muslims” keep on criticizing and bashing them, they freak out and back away entirely. We need to allow people to transition at their pace and not be harsh or sarcastic at every little thing.
Yes, I do read the quran, Ive read the entire thing over and over.
And after reading your reply, Im glad that you are not as arrogant as I initially thought. We both mean well for the ummah, but lets advice others by showing examples in ourselves and not be judgemental of others 🙂
First of all, I am muslim and not christian. I personally think wearing light make up is okay. Like for me I just use bb cream that has spf and tinted lip balm or natural looking lipstick. My make up is super minimal that modt people around me cant tell if Im even wearing it. I just like looking presentable and clean.
I dont agree with muslim wearing super thick makeup, but I think thats their journey with God, not mine. And I pray for them that God help them out and make it easy for them.
All the dos and donts in Islam are based strictly in the qutan and sunnah. Which ever is left out of those two sources are normally a form of flexibility that God purppsely left out. Of course the guideline in Islam is that moderation is key.
Makeup did not exist during the time of the prophet. So for you to say with utmost certainty that it is haram is like you playing God. The best you can day id that it is makruh.
Did you know that the banning of alcohol during the prophets time came in 3 stages. The people of that time was very attached to alcohol so Allah made the process of leaving the beverage easier by making them go through stages one step at a time.
From my experience muslim women are simillar. Some women grow ip without wearing hijab. Itd not until a lot later that they tepent and want to make changes. First, they start wearing loose outfuts that are long and fully covered. Then slowly but surely they started to vover themsekves up more anf more over time until they fully fulfil the comandmend the way it was intended. Which is why I say, everyone has their own journey and their own pacing. They are trying to get there, but it takes time and patience.
Which is why I cant stand intolerant and hasty people like you. You are not part of a solution but part of a problem. You need to step back and rexamune your ego and selft righteous behavior. I think what you say and your intentions is good, but your deelivery is poor and needs improvement. We muslims should build each other up and not brean eacb other down andnpinpoint fingers at one another.
Thats all
This article does not make any women or hijabi feel inspired or in awe by her. She never quoted any Quranic verse or Hadith, instead quoted something from Drake. Islam is fading… it’s people like her who forget the true meaning of Islam, Haya (modesty), covering the Awrah, and the 2 great things the beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ left behind, the Qur’an and his Sunnah. With hijab comes great responsibility. Try to represent Islam and Muslimahs without making up your own interpretation, judgements, or rulings. I pray that Allah blesses you to have understanding of the deen Ameen.
First of all you cannot speak for all women and hijabis. Second this article is not to inspire but to defend every girl’s right to have the freedom to express themselves. She is beautiful and the make up makes her feel good. She understands modesty hence the face that she covers her body and hair. Do you know even know what the awrah is? because it has nothing to do with make up. your judgmental attitude leads far more people astray than it does to bring understanding of islam. If you say that makeup is not allowed in islam then the burden of proof is on YOU not her. The things that Allah are silent upon are all lawful concessions, so accept the concessions of Allah, so unless you have the proof yourself that explicitly say that makeup means her iman is weak, you have no right to make such accusations or judgements on behalf of others. May Allah swt put mercy in your heart when dealing with your own muslim brothers and sisters.
Fatimah, your first mistake was assuming this website and generation of women are Islamic in anyway. They are Muslim in name only like this blog. The ego and pop culture is their true God.
“Prophet Muhammad ﷺ left behind, the Qur’an and his Sunnah.”
Not really. Your statement suggests that either you have NOT read the Qur’an or have NOT understood it.
The Sunnah of Muhhammad = Sunnah of Allah = Qur’an Hakim.
When you read the Qur’an for yourself, with understanding, then you will know that the statement you have made is nonsense and Shirk!!!
Why does her love for makeup have to mean she’s forgetting the true meaning of Islam. She’s a young woman who simply enjoys wearing makeup. That’s it. It’s. It’s not that deep or complicated. It doesn’t make her any less of a Muslim woman because she wears makeup.
I kinda do agree with this writter though. I understand Islam enough to knowthat Islamic law like wajib and haram derived solely from the quran and hadis. Well guess what? Make up didnt exist bck then during the time of the prophet, so how could take the place of God or the prophet to say with utmost certainty its haram.
Its concerning to me as well that muslim guys say they cant control their nafs from seeing a muslimah who wear makeup. We now live in a global world where muslims and nonmuslims coexist. So I wonder how were you able to keep yourself together when you come across a beautiful uncovered non muslim if simply seeing a muslim woman who is covered head to toe withthe exception of wearing make up is too hard to hold back. I think its time for guys to look at woman as a human being, someone who has a brain, a heart and a personality and not just a piece of steak. If a non-muslim man can respectfully do so, there is no excuses for muslim men who were suppossed to be the greater example.
My stance is that there is nothing wrong about looking presentable. There are a couple of hadits which would support that God and the prophet love those who are always clean and presentable in public. I think muslim woman should not go overboard with makeup, so long as its decent enough to look presentable (example if you are insecure about your face, or is not as blessed as those born with perfect skin, you can wear bb cream/foundation and concealer and maybe a tinted balm or gloss.)
My question to the muslims who strongly disagree with me is, what is the difference between a myslimah who is naturally exceptionally beautiful withfkawless skin and a muslimah who is not as blessed but is wearing light makeup just to even out skin tone to look more presntable without gg overboard? The outcome on the face is pretty much the same so long as they know their limits. :/
My question to the writter of this blog, as a lover of make up myself. Especially in public, how do you keep your balance between wearing makeup and needing to take ablution and pray in public. Like do you wipe your makeup off for ablution and prayers and do you reapply make up after that? Sincerely hop you replt, because there aint many muslims who speak on this issue
Assalamu 3likum.
I normally wouldn’t comment to any sister walking down the street, but since you wrote this article that assumes you’re opening yourself up to people commenting.
First and foremost, I would like to say I’m deeply sorry for the emotional pain you had to suffer throughout middle school. This was surely a trial and struggle and you should be proud of yourself that you stuck to your faith and kept your modesty during this time.
I would now like to make a point and pray that you will get something out of my words. First of all Allah commanded the
believing men and women to lower their gazes, and women to cover and not to show their adornments to any non mahram men. (Makeup is considered by most scholars to fall under the category of adornment.) This is because Allah created men with strong desires, and when women go out showing their adornments in plain sight, this creates fitnah (temptation) for the men. If you are showing off your adornments willingly, you will share the sin of any forbidden glances coming your way, whereas had you not tried to beautify yourself before going out (aka wearing proper Islamic dress AND not showing off your adornments) then while some people might still look, you are not at fault for it. Btw this is not my personal opinion-it is in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Please read for yourself.
Another point… of course every woman wants to feel beautiful, and enjoys putting on makeup, perfume, and beautiful clothes- which we are allowed to do with certain people and in the privacy of our homes. But by what standards are you basing beauty? You claimed to not be doing this for others… you are doing it for yourself. But why not do what pleases Allah instead? Why not, instead of looking in the mirror and deciding to go out by YOUR standards of beauty, try to be beautiful in the eyes of Allah? You will be eternally beautiful in Paradise; this is just another empty worldly fitnah us women have to come to terms with. Please ask yourself what is more important.
May Allah guide us and have mercy.
Do you seriously think only men have desires and women have none?
Yes, wearing make-up before a non-mahram is haram.
I think all hijabis struggle with this. We put more focus on our face, because our hair and body is covered. I pray that Allah guide us!
Whenever you have religious laws they will be broken within the hypocrisy of the broken humanity that created these laws to ascend to the divine.
These are the Qur’anic verses that command the women before their child-bearing age to bring down a piece of their outer garments over themselves and cover head to toe with it, meaning, not even their body shape should show. My sister, I am only here to admonish and remind that makeup is a part of adornment which Allah SWT has not allowed for women to wear, and Allah SWT is the ALL-WISE and All-Knowing and he has a better knowledge and understanding of the human nature and the world than humans while humans don’t know anything. It would be selfish to oppose Allah’s command while we, from the beginning of the existence of his creations, are enslaved to him, meaning every single one of his commands are our code of life.
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.: [33:59]
“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” [24:31]
To read more: https://islamqa.info/en/13998
Assalam O Alaikum
Audibiallah ..if you were the only one on this planet trust me habiti you wouldn’t even take the time to even look at makeup, let alone where it. May Allah swt guide us all and make us realize that this dunya is nothing and make us strive for the hereafter Ameen ..for that is better for us yet we don’t take heed ????
I’m sorry about the bulling that you got through and how much it hurt but it’s true that your confidence level has not been boosted yet.you are just living in an illusion. you have created a comfort zone for yourself so that you think that you are a confident person now by using makeup. why do you feel the need to be beautiful?what is beauty anyway?! it’s just a standard that media shows us; nothing more than that.why do you need to hide your acne marks instantly using temporary make up?they’ll go away slowly with time and medication.Those acnes don’t define who you are or degrades your honor.why do you have to look beautiful all the time? I hope you understand what I mean. I hope you can be confident by looking Just The Way You Are 🙂
Just a question to think about. Do we as woman need make-up to feel good and/or boost ourselves esteem? In this case, what men can put/add to boost their self esteem?
Wearing the hijab goes beyond covering your hair. Looking or feeling good is different from looking attractive. Being modest should not conflict with yourself esteem, on the contrary, it should boost it because you are doing it to please Allah SWT alone. Now, does wearing make up considered part of modesty? Does it hide your beauty? Does it attract unwanted attention? Ask yourself this. You will find the answer in your honest instinct.
We should not care about what others think of you or let others control what you should wear or not wear to fit in their “ideal” community or to avoid bullying. It is a fact, we come across people who will criticize us no matter what we do. Pleasing people takes you no where – it would exhaust you, both mentally and physically.
When you just work on yourself, man or woman, to please Allah SWT, you will feel tranquility, peace, and happiness because Allah’s rules are clear and do not change. It is a powerful feeling that faith becomes your strength in this world and it shown by the way you practice the essence of your religion from praying on time, wearing modest clothes, and even in our relation and communication with others.
May Allah guide us to his straight path. Ameen.