Health and Beauty

[Ummati]

HEALTH

Stay Hydrated!

With water constituting about 60% of your body, Farzana Minty-Gardee highlights the importance of water for your health and wellbeing.

The Facts:

Water keeps your respiratory tract moist and allows oxygen to diffuse into your bloodstream. Your blood then carries this oxygen and valuable nutrients from your digestive tract to the cells all over your body. All your cells need water to carry out their basic functions.

Water flushes out the toxins your body produces and acquires each day.

Water also forms part of the lubrication within your joints to help you move.

How much?

Check the colour of your urine. If it is dark in colour, then you need more water. You want your urine colour to be clear or pale yellow.

Use your thirst as a hydration indicator - it’s your body’s way of telling you that you need more water.

Getting Enough:

Your body gets water from the fluids you drink but also from the food that you eat. Your specific need for fluids varies according to what you have eaten that day, so take 8 glasses of water a day as a general guideline. Be guided by your thirst and urine!

Tea, coffee, soda or juice all count as fluid intake but they also add unnecessary calories. Stick to water or milk and increase your consumption of fresh, raw fruit and vegetables.

f you prefer to have a flavoured drink, try herbal teas with a small amount of honey added in. Or add fruit slices (citrus fruits work very well) to a jug of water to impart some flavour. Fresh sprigs of mint or rose petals will also do the trick.

Stay Hydrated!

[Ummati]

BEAUTY

Kanika Aggarwal shows the many ways of grooming the eyebrows – the Halal Way!

Since eyebrows frame the most important features of your face - the eyes - they should not be neglected while grooming. Many Muslim women who abide by the Islamic prohibition of plucking the eyebrows (see side-bar) feel insecure about their looks. If you are one of them, then rest assured that there are a number of things you can do, besides plucking, to achieve a neat and polished appearance. Whether your brows are bushy or scanty, there are different steps to take to define them and achieve a beautifully groomed look.

Bushy or Unruly Brows

This is the most common beauty concern of women who avoid plucking their brows. First of all it is important to realise that thin brows are not a universal standard of beauty. Your brows, just like other facial features, are distinct from others and lend your face character and balance, in harmony with the rest of your countenance. Many beautiful women proudly sport their thick and bold brows. Unruly brows, however, can be worked on to beautify your face.

Spray a tiny amount of hairspray or spread hair gel on an old toothbrush or an angled brow brush and brush over your brows. Try to pinch the hair together to sharpen the outer edge for a defined look. Your eyebrow should arch at the spot above the outer edge of your iris.

Using a clear gel mascara, brush its wand through your brows in an upwards-outwards direction.

On a long-term basis, it is good practice to guide the direction of brow hair growth every time you wipe your face with a towel and also when applying moisturiser. Do this by gently using your index and middle finger around the brow in an upwards-outwards direction.

To give your eyes a lifting effect, use a light shimmery eye shadow directly underneath your brow bone. This will make your eyes open up and give a refreshed look while defining your brows.

You can also use a tiny dab of brightening eye pencil or light shimmery eye shadow powder in the inner corner of the eye to create the illusion of bright and wide eyes (that may be overshadowed by bold brow growth).

Scanty Brows

These include the ‘barely-there’ types as well as the overly plucked ones (remnants of times of ignorance). In order to tackle these, you need to first determine the shape of your brows. To do this, take a

pen and place it vertically in line with where your nose ends on one side up to where your eye begins on the same side. This should be the beginning point of your eyebrow. Then, keeping the pen on the side of your nose, slide the top of the pen from where your eye begins to where it ends. This should be the ending point of your eyebrow. Repeat the process for the other side. There should also be a medium arch towards the middle of the brows. This knowledge should be used as a guideline to follow the following points.

Fill in over plucked areas using an eyebrow pencil or using eyebrow kits such as Anastasia Brow Express kit (anastasia.net). Apply soft colour in small, upward strokes pressing lightly to avoid a hard drawn-on look.

Deepen sparse or light-coloured brows to frame the face. Dip an angled brush in a powder shade that closely matches your hair colour (for superlight hair, you can go one shade darker). Apply it over the existing hairs to better define brows and continue to fill in any gaps in the shape.

Add dimension and prominence to brow hair with a clear brow gel or cream.

In conclusion, whatever the state of your eyebrows, attending to them with care and aesthetic knowledge will ensure a well defined set that will not only enhance the beauty of your eyes but also your face. So, go ahead, get framed and look in the mirror with confidence.


~*~

‘And he [Shaytaan] said: ‘I will take an appointed portion of your slaves. Verily, I will mislead them, and surely, I will arouse in them false desires; and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah.’ (An-Nisa:118)

Many scholars including Qurtubi (rahimullah) said in the interpretation of this ayah that it is referring to plucking of eyebrows, amongst other matters.

Prophet Muhammad r said: Allah has cursed the women who do tattoos and those who have this done, the women who pluck eyebrows and those who have this done, and the women who file their teeth and change the creation of Allah.” [al-Bukhaari, 4604; Muslim, 2125]


Kanika is a professional makeup and henna artist, in Chicagoland and Greater Toronto Area.

[Mujaahid]

PERFUMES & WOMEN:

1)Wearing perfume is permissible for women if they are at home or among other women. If it is done in order to please her husband, then it is mustahabb(recommended).

2)Putting on perfume and going out with the AIM (neeyah!) of letting non-mahram men smell it. This is haraam, and is a major sin.
...
It was narrated from Abu Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a woman puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, then she is such and such,” and he spoke sternly - meaning an adulteress.
(Narrated by Abu Dawood)

3)If a woman thinks it most likely that she will pass by a group in which there will be men who will smell her perfume and fragrance, this is also haraam, even if she does not intend to tempt men and that is not her aim, because this action is a fitnah (temptation) in and of itself.
(although it is not regarded as a major sin, rather it is something that is clearly haraam.)

4) Wearing perfume to go to 'mosque'--
Abu Huraira said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Whoever (woman) fumigates herself with perfume should not join us in the 'Isha' prayer. (Sahih Muslim)

[Ummati]

Beauty

Apparel Expression



Nura Ali shows how dressing can convey your personality

“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.” - Epictetus

Donning clothes in harmony with your personality and being inventive in the colour choices ensures that you look good and confident at all times. In order to do so, you need to discern the language of styles and colours and use that know-how to ensure that your attire becomes a harmonious outward expression of what is inside.

Here are few style studies to help you on the way to self-expression:

1. Colour blocking

This is the teaming up of loud, bright and bold colours into a dynamically bright outfit. Such a style exudes confidence and instantly makes the wearer stand out in a crowd.

How to wear:

The aim of this style is to bring together (or block) various electric colours, either into separate garments, layers or accessories. This style works best with more than two different colours. Also, in this case, the brighter the better is the way to go.

2. Single colours

Wearing a single colour or shades of a particular colour can also be a tool to effectively show your personality.

How to wear:

The choice of colour is the key element here as each colour subconsciously projects a particular message. For example, wearing an outfit rule. Make sure that you select colours that complement your skin tone and have little or no print or detail. If the thought of teaming such bright colours is a little daunting, try teaming a neutral coloured garment with bright accessories such as a loud handbag or vivid chunky jewellery.

Using a colour wheel is quite helpful when deciding on the combinations. Choose ones next to each other, or tints of a particular colour to achieve a harmonious look and contrasting colours for a bold appearance.

comprised of red – a commanding colour - sends the message that you have a strong personality and also thrusts you into the centre of attention. If you are a quite or feminine person and like to express that, then pastels are the best choice. These colours exude calm and demureness. White is a clean and cautious choice that is associated with neatness, neutrality and formality.

3. Metallic

Most colours now also come in metallic hues so you can dazzle and sparkle in their glory.

How to wear:

You can get a range of metallic garments, ranging from the familiar gold, silver and bronze to every other colour of the spectrum. Unlike the 80s, modern metallic are available in more mute and matt forms to ensure that the wearer looks glitzy without looking tacky. This style works best with minimal jewellery or other distractions and is ideal for formal dressy events.


Go ahead, express yourself through the riots of colours and style.

[Ummati]

Beauty

Materialization of Liberation

By Sister Ubah

Within every thread of the scarf I don on my head is woven the word ‘freedom’.

Everyday I deviate from societal standards by conforming to those of my Lord -

through this deviation, empowerment has been bestowed upon me – a blessing, minus the sword.

Society tells me that the exposure of my flesh will grant me an acceptance letter -

a congratulations! for embracing the norm.

I tell society: if that were the case, then why is it that I have learned -

when I give you my flesh, it is not reward that I have earned?

For you examine it for the amount of melanin it contains,

its body mass index, the adipose tissue it has gained.

The amount of hair that has yet to be arranged and/or shaved,

the fingers that lay exposed, nail-beds unpaved.

The eyebrows – too unruly, too bushy, too united -

a chemical cocktail for those roots has yet to be indited.

I give you my flesh, but from you – what do I gain?

It’s time to conceal yourself in paint to recapture the essence of ‘au naturale’, babe!

First comes that face – that acne, black-head infested, uneven-toned face -

lay down the foundation in order to cover-up what doesn’t need to be erased.

Flawless.

Next, comes those eyes – it’s time to make them pop and look brighter,

a cloak of shimmering dust, a wand to extend those lashes and voilà! – much more wider.

Voluminous.

Oh goody! Now that you’ve tamed those valuable units of expression,

let’s fill them, darken them, and slick them down – suspended in a solution.

Mysterious.

And let’s not forget those lips, all crackled and dry -

simply line and gloss them keeping two words in mind: ‘forever re-apply’.

Luscious.

And finally, that…hair?

Let’s tease, straighten, layer, curl, poof, constrain, dye, blow-out, pin-up, accessorize…and… there!

Perfect.

…but Society, once I did everything you dictated;

I was left feeling empty, unwanted, and frustrated.

I lived up to the standards that you created,

only to find my new clothes, hair, shoes, and makeup outdated.

Until I saw through the facade of the perfection you promised -

a lie so-often told, I mistook you for honest.

It was then that I realized my liberation would not come,

in accordance with your laws to which I had succumbed.

Instead it would require adhering to the laws of the One,

who prescribed a prescription that could never be outdone.

The key to acceptance was to first accept myself,

and to do so would mean to leave that product on the shelf.

And replace it with something much cheaper – and better for your skin, I might add:

A head-scarf; a piece of material folded, tucked, pinned and transformed into a hijab.

But to simply cover my hair and leave the rest of my flesh exposed,

would signify that you, Society, still pulled the ropes.

And so to complete the Commandment, over my body the fabric extended;

Neck, shoulders, arms, chest, hips, legs – all the places that YOU found offensive.

And with that, I achieved bodily autonomy in an instant.

The product of obeying my Lord has left my hair glowing;

My skin silky, my eyes bright – all without showing -

that which never belonged to you.

This material I wear is my empowerment, you see.

Because woven through every piece of this fabric is - Girl, you are FREE!

[Ummati]

BEAUTY

Simply Beautiful in Hijab

by Sammer Z

(slightly edited)

Bangs coming out, the slippery hijab, earrings dangling, the body-suit hijabs…we’ve either seen someone doing it, or we’ve become a victim to it ourselves. Once we’ve realized our mistakes, tucked our big dangly earrings back into our hijab, drawn it around our chests and worn something looser fitting, are we missing out on all the “fun”?

Firstly, we should remember that these changes are seeking the pleasure of Allah and fulfilling His commandments. There is more fun and beauty than we can imagine in store for those who please Him. Secondly, there ARE ways to dress up nicely without crossing the boundaries and even staying a safe distance away from them.

Let’s also take a step back to realize that our self-esteem and confidence about ourselves and our bodies should not come from over the top or out-of-bounds fashion. Beauty can be simple, natural and elegant. This is the type of beauty that lasts changes in styles, age and stays within the bounds of modesty. In fact, modesty is beautiful and immodesty can be crude and vulgar.

So, although I’m not the most fashionable hijabi out there, here is a list of simple and subtle stylish ways to be a hijabi.

1. Make sure it is clean, ironed and fits appropriately.

Something as simple as being freshly washed, pressed and fitting correctly (ie not too long in the arms, length, shoulders etc.) can make an outfit look wonderfully put together. If someone asks, “Do you sleep in that (hijab)?”, it may not be out of ignorance! Take the extra time to iron it out. If you wear mostly long, flowy dresses or abayas, invest in a standing steam iron, like this. Sloppy is never in style.

Here are three signs to look for when trying to figure out if an abaya is just the right size:

a. Check the seams: even when you’re going for a loose-fitting look, the seams of your shoulder should sit right on your shoulder, the arm seams should begin right at your arm and when you lift your arms, there should not be any tugging. Any of these not lining up means this is not the right size.

b. Arm length: getting just the right length of sleeve is crucial to a put together look. Look for sleeves to hit either right at your wrist or a 1/2 inch longer depending on your preference. Any longer and it’ll easily get dirty and look like you’re a teenager from the 90’s. This is also a simple alteration that can be made to the sleeves for a custom fit.

c. Length of the garment: a long flowy abaya which trails to the ground might be beautiful in theory, but with stairs, escalators, strollers, shopping carts and driving, you’ll want to save the train for the wedding day. Measuring so that the abaya/skirt hits the top of your shoe is generally a comfortable length to walk in unobstructed and it falls beautifully. It also provides the right length for sitting down and crossing legs without revealing your calves.

2. Blazers/sweaters/cardigans.

I got this idea from my friend who is a professional and ALWAYS looks the part. Whether you are on dinner date out or headed to a convention, a simple structured blazer, cardigan or sweater can provide the extra coverage, fit, and contrast of color needed to pull your whole outfit together. The best place to stock up on quantity and quality? Check out clearance racks in the beginning of the winter season and the very end. In the beginning, stores want to move out last year’s merchandise to make room for a new line. But as all hijabi’s know, a nice neutral cardigan never goes out of style or season.

3. Accessorize:

So you tucked away all your earrings. You’re hiding your neck and don’t want to draw attention there. What kind of accessorizing can a hijabi do??

Sunglasses: B-)

Brooches: Allah knows we need to pin our hijabs in a variety of places to keep it in place. A strategically pinned brooch by your shoulder can add a little pizzazz without too much fuss.

Hijab pins, a little sparkle here and there adds a little elegance to a hijabis look.

4. Play with color:

You’ve never worn light blue? Try it! I stuck to black for a very long time, holding on to it as a security and rarely strayed from it. When I first dabbled in color, I tried to think of colors that looked good with my skin tone or other clothing. Once you’ve experimented you’ll get the hang of what works and what doesn’t. Playing with a few different color hijabs, hijab caps, abayas and skirts can create a variety of looks while maintaining full coverage. Companies like Shukr provide a great variety of color with coverage.

5. Shoes:

really? Do I even need to mention that? Flats used to be all for pregnant women and aunties, but they are available in so many styles and colors, even the hippest hijabi can rock them.

We can be stylish and well put together WITHOUT going over the top. May Allah accept our efforts and purify our intentions, ameen.

[Ummati]