There’s a common misconception that Muslim women who wear the hijab should abide to a definition of modesty that is strict and one-dimensional. But younger Muslim women are swerving away from tired clichés and pushing the boundaries of modest beauty to create a more nuanced narrative.
18-year-old Muslim American hijabi and Glossier model Rafiqah Akhdar is one of them. For her, modesty obviously allows for makeup because as she simply puts it, “it’s a personal preference”. Creating makeup looks as a form of self-expression and sharing them on her Instagram account, Akhdar is boldly rewriting the beauty rules.
Whether she goes for gleaming lips, electric and lustrous eye shadows or more adventurous and experimental creations, Akhdar always takes the same approach: makeup is art and her face is a canvas. “When I wear makeup I feel confident and with detailed looks especially, I feel proud”, she confesses, discussing how experimenting with beauty has empowered her.
Akhdar has been learning and redefining her idea of beauty since she was just a child. “In middle school I would wear a one-piece hijab and since I was in an Emo phase I would pull it forward and turn it to make it look like a side bang”, she says before adding, “at the time it was a way to express myself in my own way”.
Perfecting summer radiance isn’t always easy with the heat. So we asked Akhdar to talk us through her hijab-friendly summer beauty routine to achieve a natural, glowy finish.
Glossier Priming Moisturizer
My first and most important step is my skin base routine. If your skin is not prepared correctly your makeup will never look as great as it could. Since my skin is so dry I have to use a good moisturizer before I apply foundation. My favourite is the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich because it provides a lot of moisture but isn’t too heavy, so my skin absorbs it. During the summer months it is more likely for me to use the regular Glossier Priming Moisturizer since I need something lighter.
USD22/AED81
glossier.com
Glossier Super Bounce Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Skincare is one of the most important steps in my overall routine to keep my skin glowing and hydrated. The hydration this serum gives is out of the world.
USD28 AED103
glossier.com
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
This is to die for. It is the primer that taught me your makeup will look completely different if you wear a primer underneath. When I wear this primer it makes my skin look so smooth and the primer has a tacky feel, which keeps your foundation on all day and looking flawless.
USD15/AED50
milkmakeup.com
Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer
It is the best concealer I have ever used. It is not too drying and gives the under eyes the perfect finish and is so easy to blend and mixes will all the foundations I use. The concealer give tons of coverage but only if you want to because it’s so versatile, you can apply lightly to give more sheer coverage if that is what you are going for. I will give you a warning about this concealer though. Once you use it no other concealer will compare.
USD29/AED106
toofaced.com
Glossier Cloud Paint Blushes
Before trying the blushes I never wore blush at all but after using them I realized it was a much-needed step I was missing out on. The cloud paints are a liquid blush and blend in so seamlessly and give the most amazing finish to the skin. My favourite shade of the Cloud Paints line is Dawn and Storm it depends on the mood I’m in.
USD18/AED66
glossier.com
Nars Natural Longwear Radiant Foundation
The finish looks just like skin and the coverage is medium to full. Nars also has one of the best ranges for all skin tones.
USD49/AED245
sephora.ae
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade
The Brow pomade in Ebony is the perfect brow product when you need a versatile product. The pomade can be used to fill your brows in lightly or to make an exact bold eyebrow shape.
USD18/AED66
anastasiabeverlyhills.com
