How Muslim Women Navigate Makeup & Modesty

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quot;In Islam, it’s not that you’re required to give up beautification altogether but rather exercise discipline when, where and to whom it’s displayed."
In Islam, it’s not that you’re required to give up beautification altogether but rather exercise discipline when, where and to whom it’s displayed.
Abeni, 23, is a neuroscience student and writer based in London.

I don’t feel that my religion conflicts with my relationship to makeup at all. The only time I consciously think of makeup in relation to my faith is if, for example, wearing makeup impedes my ability to perform my religious duties such as the purifying act of ablution before prayers.

My prayer is the priority so wearing appropriate makeup, e.g. non waterproof makeup, is important. Islam emphasises how the beauty of a person is shown through their character. This is continuously referred to in Islamic text. My faith removes beauty from the superficial context and encourages me to redefine what beauty really means. After all, how I endeavour to behave – kind, gentle, just, patient and intolerant to the oppression of others – is governed by Islam.

There’ve been times when I’ve felt more a pull to be 'pretty' than modest. When I started trying to dress more modestly, I had these moments. This isn’t the case anymore. I’ve had to do a lot of unlearning since wearing the hijab. Though in the past I’ve been tempted to show more hair to look 'prettier', I had to remember that being pretty in the West can often only equate to uncovered hair, light skin and Eurocentric features.

I do think it’s possible to be both modest and love makeup. In recent years Muslim women have been referred to as 'oppressed' and 'submissive'. Even so, I don’t feel like I owe it to certain people to challenge what they think a Muslim looks or acts like, except when these stereotypes might be negative and Islamophobic.

I’m black, West African and a woman. There are many stereotypes associated with my identity and consequently, my existence is political. Sometimes I get told that I break stereotypes. This can empower me at times but it also really annoys me that these stereotypes exist as they enable others to judge who I am.
Areena, 20, is a writer, activist and multidisciplinary artist. Born and raised in Malaysia and based in London, they identify as gender-fluid.

Coming from Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, womxn there usually dress very simply without makeup as there’s no pressure to 'do the most' like there is in Western cities. In Kuala Lumpur, Muslim womxn are usually modest and don’t try too much. When I came to England for the first time for school, I was insecure, as back home there wasn’t a huge pressure to wear makeup every day. Girls here start wearing makeup from a young age and they become hyperaware of their beauty and how they can become more 'beautiful' in a cis-normative, Eurocentric format.

Back then, I did feel more of a pull to be 'pretty' rather than modest. I learned how to do makeup when I was 15. Though this was rooted in something oppressive, it’s slowly turned into an empowering tool for myself. I do think makeup provides a huge opportunity for Muslim womxn to challenge stereotypes of being 'oppressed' by the burqa or hijab. It lets us have a sense of agency with how we want to look and most importantly, feel.

Feeling beautiful, glamorous and luxurious is important. I love doing simple makeup because I’m really into the 'natural' look and how it’s easy for me to take off if I ever feel uncomfortable. As I’m gender-fluid, it’s really vital to me that I can 'switch' into being more masculine if I’m feeling dysphoric. Maybe my faith and expectations of modesty have influenced how I present mostly 'natural' but I don’t think they've had a huge influence on me other than trying to maintain a sense of reality when I’m presenting as feminine.

Because I often struggle between masculine and feminine presentation, I can come out some days wearing no makeup with my chest bound or come out another day wearing an extravagant wig, a full face and a pretty dress. Gender for me is something to play with and doesn’t affect my faith. Modesty can work in the modern age. The way modern Muslim womxn such as Huda Beauty’s Huda Kattan are not only experimenting with the relationship between modesty and makeup but pioneering it is exciting. I love how it enables us to feel glamorous and in control of our bodies and beauty.
Aba, 21, is a London-based creative, photographer and student.

I’m aware that in Islam, it’s advised to be careful with your beauty and preserve it for your future husband. For me, I think it all comes down to the intention. Are you using makeup for yourself or are you using it to impress other people? I use makeup as a way of enhancing my features. I have very dark brows which I tend to fluff out with gel to achieve a feathery look.

My everyday makeup routine when I’m going to work or uni consists of concealer and mascara. But If I’m going out with friends, I’d probably apply false lashes and blush. I love false lashes – they can really take a look from a 5 to a 10. I also use makeup as a form of creative expression. It’s an activity that I find great joy in. If I want to draw lines across my face, I’m going to do so.

I think in Islam, it’s not that you’re required to give up beautification altogether but rather exercise discipline when, where and to whom it’s displayed. I’ve been blessed with amazing opportunities when it comes to makeup, regardless of my hijab. Earlier this year, I was featured on a global makeup brand’s campaign. I was given the opportunity to express myself and use my platform to interact with people who don’t share the same faith as me. I don’t think we should separate modesty and makeup. A woman can be – and enjoy – both. Period. I’m doing it right now. To anyone who thinks makeup, modesty and wearing a hijab are at odds, we can’t be friends.