On makeup and cosmetics, modesty is what sells

Striking a balance between faith and beauty is sometimes tricky for Muslim women because use of cosmetic products that contain alcohol or tested on animals is forbidden.

Zuhura Rajab Sumba, a proprietor of Zu-Styles boutique at Jamia Plaza in Nairobi that stocks trendy Muslim wear, jewellery and perfumes says the makeup has to be subtle and natural looking.

‘‘The idea is to avoid drawing too much attention especially from men, such that they end up committing sin,” she says.

Muslim women are also not allowed to shape, pluck, trim, bleach or shave their eyebrows.

The only way the contemporary woman has managed to respect religion and fit in is by applying heavy makeup around the eyes to cover the excessive hair.

Additional makeup used to accentuate the eyes include the mascara, the eye shadow and eyeliner.

Nail art

Modern times have seen women start applying nail polish. However, Islam forbids use of nail polish because it acts as a barrier during wudhu—a ritual of washing exposed parts of the body before prayer.

Muslim women get manicures and pedicures without applying nail polish in adherence to religion and some use new varieties that allow water to pass through.

Inglot Cosmetics launched a breathable nail polish—O2M Breathable Nail Enamel— which ensures oxygen and water vapour permeability.

“This has gone a long way at offering Muslim women an option of products to use when it comes to nail beauty,” says Ruth Kinuthia, a pro makeup artist and blogger.

Inglot offers 80 colours under its new range as well as breathable base and top coat.

MAC, Inglot, Maybelline, Suzie Beauty and Nouba are some of the high-end cosmetics preferred by women in the contemporary world.

Perfumes

Alcohol just like pork is forbidden in Islam. Beauty products made from these have been the subject of debate.

Many perfumes in the market have benzyl alcohol, which allows them to have stability of fragrance.

Some Muslims opt for oil-based perfumes which are alcohol-free.

Oil-based oil perfumes are collectively called attar or attor. They provide a long-lasting scents that many believe are better than traditional alcohol-based perfumes and musk.

Most are imported from Saudi Arabia and Dubai. To mark the end of Ramadhan, a holy month of daytime fasting, the wealthy exchange expensive gifts and shop in luxury stores.

Traditionally, families bought clothes for children or gave them money.

But as purchasing power grows, the gifts have come to include Gucci handbags and Zara hijabs.