Just because a woman covers her face it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t want to look beautiful too! In Saudi Arabia where many women wear it, it’s fair to say that they are a million times more glamourous than their British counterparts because a lot of the time what you see under the niqab is nothing but pure skills and make-up game.
I know plenty of women who chose to cover their face with what’s called the niqab in Arabic and people have many ideas about women that wear it and the difficulties they may have with basic tasks like eating in public and even purchasing make-up but after speaking with a lovely reader called Amina, she gave me the low down on make-up shopping when wearing the niqab:
“Well before I started wearing the niqaab, I was a make-up-holic anyway so I pretty much knew what products worked and what didn’t in terms of colour and shades etc. One thing I struggle with is foundation so I usually just ask for samples, most brands do that for at least one or two of the foundations they sell. In the case of not finding the sample to try, I would think about the price, if its expensive I usually wouldn’t risk it, if it’s cheap (e.g drugstore brands) I would go for it anyway and if its not such a great product I’ll use it in conjunction with another good product to make it last longer or I’ll it give to someone.
With blushes, eyeshadow and lip glosses I swatch it on my hand and that is usually enough to know whether it will work, but if you’re not confident enough just ask a consultant which colours will best suit your skin tone. Also, with some places like MAC you can find a secluded area to try make-up on you (but they offer sample pots anyway in the shade and foundation of your choice) or you can slightly lift your veil when there are no men present and get someone to try it on your jawline, which is where you should check foundation anyway.
I think one thing is just don’t be scared. With foundations, use up all the means you have; ask for samples (I never used to do this ever but I’m glad I’ve recently started because it helps save a lot of money), ask if there are secluded areas in the store where you can try it out, or like I mentioned before just show them a bit of skin when no men are present and they should be able to tell your colour”.
Phew! Such detailed advice there, thanks Amina!
Thanks for the comment and tip hun, I’ve actually read loads of your posts recommending coconut oil but I am yet to try it. Does it also contain protein? I should probably add it to the list then..
Interesting post!! It would be interesting to read a post on hijab and niqab (sorry if spelling is wrong) usage.. like why and how people use it, like the symbolism behind it, difference between using hijab and niqab, or other reasons (hope this isn’t offensive, it just interests me
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xx
You’re welcome! No, coconut oil is more moisturising; it’s able to penetrate the hair shaft unlike many other oils. You should definitely try it, I’m certain you’ll love it!
Noooo way am I offended, you’ve said nothing wrong lol
I would think that it would also be important to test the longevity of the makeup, particularly with foundation. If the niqab is going to be in constant contact with your face, you’d want to make certain that it hasn’t wiped off all of your foundation by the time that you’re ready to remove it! Long-wearing foundations set with a little bit of powder would serve veiled ladies well.
Great point Fleurs!
since our neck n rest of the body is covered except hands n face.. do we match the face foundation colour with the colour of our hands?
No, because your foundation should match your exact skintone which would be the same as your hands.
Like one of the sisters mentioned above the longevitiy of the makeup. I have a problem with this, as when I take the niqaab off, most my make-up, namely the foundation and powder has been rubbed off. Although I do wear a long wearing foundation (Rimmel long lasting 12 hour), concealer and a little bit of powder but when I take the niqaab off, you an see that its all transferred onto the niqaab due to it being rubbed. Any solutions?
Try wearing a primer under your foundation or a setting spray like Motives 10 Years Younger Makeup Setting Spray or MAC Fix+ Spray
I do always wear a primer. Its the Boots No17 photo flawless skin primer, maybe its not powerful enough. I’ve never used a setting spray so i’ll give the MAC one a go and see how it goes.