Saturday, October 30, 2010

Arabic Eye Makeup

Dramatic Arabic Eye Makeup

Arabic makeup is known for its dramatic look. The Arabic makeup look involves dramatic eyes. This is usually done by using several complementary eye shadows, and blending them over layers. This results in a vibrant look. 

Eyeliner is then used to provide a dramatic contrast to the eyeshadow colors. Lastly, the eyebrows are highlighted or thicken with a brow pencil.

The look can take some skill to create; of course, one needs a steady hand and a sense of color to be able to blend complementary colors that looks stunning.

Here are some Arabic Eye Makeup Tips to help you get started on creating your very own dramatic Arabian look!


Arabic Eye Makeup Tips


1) Start with the eyelids first. Typically, you should first pick a base eyeshadow color. For dramatic Arabian Eye Makeup look, pick a shade that is slightly glistening, or luminous. Apply the base eyeshadow color on the upper lash line going to the top part of your eyelids.

2) Next, you should shape your eyes with the use of a dark eye pencil and do strokes on the base. Extend the line towards the outer part of your eyes and make a wing shape. The inner eyelids should be applied with a light sparkling color going to the mid part of the brow area.

3) A darker eye shadow is then applied to the remaining eyelid part going to the brows. Add color as desired extending towards the wing you have previously created. Blend the colors in the top eyelid. Highlight your upper brow part. Use a cream colored or white eye shadow to emphasize the eyes.

4) Apply another layer of dark eye pencil on the top eyelid. With a black liquid eye liner, make a thin line extending to the wing shape and let it dry.

5) To finish this look, apply two to three coats of black mascara for that total Arabic look.

Arabic Eye Makeup Pictures

 Blue Dramatic Arabic Eye Makeup

 Purple Color Arabic Eye Makeup
There are three purple shades of varying darkness blended to create this look.

 Luminous Shades - Arabic Eye Makeup
She is wearing false eyelashes

 Gold and Pink Arabic Eye Makeup

 Muted Arabic Eye Makeup
There are only Two Shades Used in this Simple But Fresh Look

Arabic Eye Makeup
Four Eyeshadow Shades Used

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Muslim Women Garb



Muslim Garb?!
The recent brouhaha on an utterance (totally ignorant, in our humble opinion, and we will tell you why soon enough) by news analyst Juan Williams about "Muslim garb" has provoked those of us who are Muslims to ponder on the question of garb. Do Muslims really have a standard uniform on clothes? What exactly constitutes as "Muslim garb"? But before we get into that, let's take a look at the Juan Williams statement that started it all.

"When I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb, and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous. Now, I remember also that when the Times Square bomber was at court, I think this was just last week. He said the war with Muslims, America's war is just beginning, first drop of blood. I don't think there's any way to get away from these facts"

- Juan Williams, Oct. 18, 2010

First, Juan Williams appears to have a problem with Muslims identifying themselves with as Muslims. He claims that by wearing the so-called "Muslim garb", they are identifying themselves "first and foremost as Muslims". Why don't we get a bit deeper with this concept of clothing? The fact that people wear clothes at all actually is an interesting thing. No other living creature on this Earth spends as much time as we, humans, do in designing, shopping, and dreaming about clothes! That we do this, it is something distinctly human. The entire fashion industry is built upon this very human trait. Any clothing on the body identifies ourselves as first and foremost as HUMAN. Duh!

Second, Juan Williams assumes that there is an unmistakeably "Muslim garb". It is time for all of you who buy into such a misconception to realize there is NO such thing as a Muslim garb. Instead, there is a conception of Islamic modesty (haya) for both men and women in behavior and attitudes (the internal) and also dress (the external). This stems from the Quran, the holy book of revelations for Muslims.

“And tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to [those relatives who fall within bounds of close relationship explained in the Qur’an]...” [Quran, 24: 30-31]

The essential elements of modest dress for females stemming from the above verses, and Sunnah tradition (sayings of the Prophet) typically entails long sleeves, loose clothing (as opposed to form-fitting clothes) and head covering. For males, essential elements of modest dress is covering themselves from waist down. How a human person who is of the Muslim faith chooses to make that conception of modest dress into reality is entirely up to them.

Third, given that there Muslims are a varied lot in terms of ethnicity - only 20% or less of the Muslim population around the world are of Arab ethnicity, and there are also variations of ethnic dress between Arabs - Muslims' ethnic or traditional dress will similarly be just as varied. Islamic fashion is premised on the incorporation of this ethnic variance and Islamic conception of modest dress. In fact, this blog incorporates Western fashion with Islamic conception of modest dress - browse through our posts!

Therefore, the Amish woman in her long-sleeved dress with a full skirt, complete with a bonnet that hides her hair is living out the Islamic conception of modest dress! Bet you Juan Williams would not have thought that such an outfit would fall under "Muslim garb"!

Note: A lot of people have expressed dismay at Juan William's firing from NPR, claiming that this goes against freedom of speech and expression. But the fact is, Juan Williams has expressed a viewpoint that is racist and discriminatory based on an irrational fear. This may be his personal feelings, and he is of course entitled to feel that way, however misguided it is. But when he expresses such racist viewpoints with impunity on national TV, he adds to the already volatile environment that is increasingly accepting of negative portrayals of Muslims. Public racist utterances by public figures validates the racist feelings that people may be harboring in their hearts; it emboldens people to act out against Muslims based on irrational fear or hatred, and eventually this can lead to an environment that is accepting of unjust and discriminatory acts against Muslims. This is why, NPR's stance was welcomed - it sent out a strong signal that racist views have no place in the America they envision. Conversely, Fox News, by signing on Juan Williams, sent out a strong signal that the propagation of racist views based on irrational fears is acceptable in the America they envision.

That said, now let's take a look at how varied Muslim women's "garb" can be!


Muslim Women "Garb"!

Arab Muslim Woman in Hijab and Jalabiya Dress

 Muslim Women in Modest Swimwear
Muslim Chinese Women from the Hui Ethnic Group

Indian Muslim Bride in Traditional Wedding Finery

Malay Muslim lady in Traditional Malay Baju Kurung

Muslim Women in East-West Fusion Modest Fashion Dress

Muslim Woman in North America
Wearing Hijab with Modern Street Clothes


 Islamic High Fashion
Maxi Dress

Typical Muslim Women in North America

Amish Woman
Perhaps the Ideal Muslim Garb?! :)

Recommended Blog: http://muslimswearingthings.tumblr.com/

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Arabic Hijab Styles

Here are some fantastic ideas on Arabic Style Hijab. Remember that modesty is the new sexy! And modesty is not only exclusive to Muslim women. The New Testament states, "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." (NIV, 1 Timothy 2:9-10).

Arabic Hijab Styles 

 Traditional Arabic Style Hijab
Commonly seen in the Countryside

 Turkish Style Hijab
While not Arabic Style, This Hijab Style
Is Very Popular Indeed

 Arabic Hijab Style
From Egypt
You can see that she has on three layers!

 Arabic Hijab Style
Two-Tone Color Chiffon Hijab 

 Arabic Hijab Style

 Arabic Hijab Style
This Look is From Egypt
One end of the hijab is left loose

 Hijab Style with Pashmina Scarf

 Arabic Hijab Style
from Qatar

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Dress for Muslimah

Maxi dresses are a great way for Muslimahs to dress in the Muslim way of modest dress and be feminine. And it is great that maxi dresses are coming back into the mainstream fashion world too. Check out these designs we came across!

 Katie Holmes, American actress
Wearing Maxi Dress and Cardigan During the Fall
Cool Dress Look for a Muslimah

 Maxi Dress for Muslimah

Maxi Dress for Muslimah
 Maxi Dress for Muslimah
Lovely Orange Color - Very Retro Prints

 This is a lovely full skirted maxi dress from an 
Indian Designer, which is Muslim Fashion friendly
except for the transparent sleeves. 
Can also be easily rectified by adding liner.

 Gucci Maxi Dress
The neckline is plunging, but with an inner slip, or t-shirt, it
can be made Muslim Fashion friendly.

Nicole Ritchie
in a Winter Kate Maxi Dress
Kaftan Style Sleeves that are short
But again this is easily rectified by adding a 
long sleeve t-shirt underneath.

Arabic Muslim Fashion in Egypt

Egyptian Muslim Fashion

Today, we take a look at Arabic Muslim Fashion, namely hijab (headscarf) styles in Egypt. Inspired by a recent trip to Cairo, we showcase Egyptian Style Muslim Fashion. The majority of the women in Egypt wear hijab - this was a surprise to us! We were told that the numbers of women wearing the hijab today has substantially increased compared to the 1980s. How cool is that?

Although, some of the younger ones tend to pair their lovely and colorful hijabs with form fitting clothes (which defies the purpose of Islamic conception of modest dress), Egyptian Muslim fashion is innovative. Hijabs are carefully color coordinated; and long tunics and pants are standard street Muslim women wear.

Check out the Egyptian Muslim Fashion hijab styles below.


Arabic Muslim Fashion in Egypt

 Egyptian Women in Cairo
The Egyptian Muslim Fashion Style is actually simple to replicate.
You see a short sleeved blouse that you like, then get it
and wear a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath the blouse.
Of course, this works when walking around in a cooler climate!

 Egyptian Woman in Two Piece Hijab

 This Egyptian Hijab Style is Fantastic
And popular Amongst the Younger Women

 Egyptian Women Hijab

 Egyptian Hijab Styles

 Long Skirts Galore!
Egyptian Muslim Women Style

Tunics and Pants
Staple Egyptian Muslim Fashion Style

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Muslim Bohemian Fashion Long Skirts

Modern Long Skirts for Muslim Women Dress

Wearing long skirts is a great way to look feminine, modern and bohemian, and also stay within the Islamic dictates of modest dressing.

Here are some great skirt styles we came across that would be a great look for Muslim women looking to try on a bohemian style.

Bohemian Look
Long Skirts Muslim Women Fashion

 Muslim Women Fashion
Long Bohemian Skirt

 Muslim Women Fashion
Long Bohemian Skirt 

 Muslim Women Fashion
Long Bohemian Skirt 

 Muslim Women Fashion
Long Bohemian Skirt 

 Muslim Women Fashion
Long Bohemian Skirt 

 Muslim Women Fashion
Long Bohemian Skirt 

 Muslim Women Fashion
Long Bohemian Skirt 

Muslim Women Fashion
Long Bohemian Skirt