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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/HijabiApprentic

Coupons

Hey Beauties,


Here is a nice gift for the end of the year...Just don't buy everything up because payday isn't unitl Thursday, LOL.


Enjoy!


Friday, December 18, 2009

Update: New York State of Mind Jan 2010

Salaams and Salutations beauties!!!!

Here is the finalized itinerary. If you live in the area we'd LOVE to see you at one or another place.
(January 15th thru the 18th)

Friday:
7pm: Dinner at Folukie (zabiha)

1168 Bedford Ave (Putnam/Maddison) Brooklyn, NY 11216
Live jazz/ 'Get to Know You' games and goodies

Saturday:
Train to NYC Museums
'Mischelle's Choice'-- our resident artist taking us to her FAVS

Sightseeing in Manhatten

7pm- Tea Social
Beautiful Ummah NY State of Mind
Designer’s delight a Tea and social with NYC designers:
Urban Hijab
Al- Mujalbaba
Najmah
Al Musa Wear/ House of Jems
(waiting confirmation)

Sunday:

10am - (you make your own appointments)
D'Mai Urban Spa157 Fifth Ave (Lincoln/St Johns)
Park Slope, NY


3pm Lunch- Sylvia's
328 Lenox Ave
New York, NY
(they do have fish and vegitarian options for those who are stricktly zabiha)

6:30pm
Broadway show
'Wicked’


Monday—

10am- Trip to Al Mujalbab
**open just for this event**

1pm- depart

Thursday, December 17, 2009

NEW TO DC/MD/VA


Greetings Beauties!

I have great news! The Sephora Store in Georgetown (M street and Thomas Jefferson Avenue) has a full Illamasqa display like the one in Times Square. I mean FULL DISPLAY! You can go in and try all of the products from that line and ask for samples to try them out at home. Just an FYI for my fellow product junkies. Umm Amirah and I have a date next week to go and check it out!

Bee Beautiful!
Umm Aminah

Thursday, December 10, 2009

10 Favorites for 2009 from Hijabi Apprentice

  1. Clarisonic: This is the truth! My skin is much nicer since I've been using it!
  2. Dermologica Pre-Cleanse: It's a yummy smelling oil based pre cleanser that removes makeup and softens the skin.
  3. MAC Lovejoy Mineralized blush
  4. YSL Touche Eclait highlighter #3
  5. MAC 187 brush
  6. Qhemet Biologic Alma Olive Heavy Cream: Perfect for dry and thirsty hair.
  7. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
  8. Pure Luxe Nutmeg eyeshadow
  9. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner in black
  10. Shiseido White Lucent Facial Cleanser

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

10 Favorites of 2009

Salaams and Salutations Beauties!!!

2009 is soon coming to an end, so I want to do MY 10 Favs of this year. Being a 'newbie' to the beauty blogging game AND a 'frugalista' I'd say my list is not filled with HIGH end make up. I not ALL on one brand, I like what I like...or what works best for ME. So without further ado:

1. MAC Mineralized Blush in Love Joy
2. Nars BLUSH (Crazed/Dolche Vita)
3. Urban Decay palettes ( I have 'sustainable and book of shadows II')
4. E.L.F studio brushes (great value)
5. Sonya Kashuk brushes ( love the blush brush)
6. Pure Lux Cosmetics shadows ( they are GREAT and a $1 per sample)
7. NYX Mega Shine lip glosses (love them so much)
8. NYX Jumbo eye Shadow pencils ( great bases)
9. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge
10. Make Up For Ever HD foundation

That is all

B Beautiful
Umm Amirah

Thursday, December 3, 2009

My 10 favorites- For Today

Greetings Beauties!

Umm Amirah asked for our 10 favorite things from 2009. As you know, product junkies tend to change fav's like we change clothes so here is my list as of today. These are not any particular order unless otherwise noted.

1. Anastasia Brow Enhancing Serum , $36
2. Clearprep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment, $39
3. HD Invisible Cover Foundation $40
4. Illamasqua Eye Liner Cake , $21
5. Benefit Cosmetics Get Bent Brush , $16
6. Illamasqua Eye Brow Cake , $21
7. MAKE UP FOR EVER Eyeshadow $19- any shade
8. Too Faced Shadow Insurance $17
1-8 are from Sephora. Illamasqua is available online unless you are in NY at the Times Square Sephora. As of today that store is the only one in the USA that has an in store display. I am so jelly!!!!
9. 120 Eyeshadow Pallet 2nd Edition- 29.99 http://www.bhcosmetics.com/
10. NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils 3.50 http://www.nyxcosmetics.com - If you want to set a look off use these, especially MILK and your eyes will POP! This is the best thing for cheap(low pigment) eyeshadow.

That is all for now.

Ciao!

Friday, November 20, 2009

NYX fever

Salaams and Salutations all,

Soooo I found a deal on some NYX products so I decided to try them out. I bought 3 Mega Shine lipglosses from Ebay. Joy's Cosmetics is a great seller of NYX. Check out her. Anywhoo, as you already know I've purchased some Round NYX lipglosses from Cherry Culture in May and I REALLY liked them. I had been checking out NYX reveiws on YouTube and decided to try them out.

I purchased 6 from Joy's Cosmetics: Plum (love it), POP, Vanilla (great nude), Africa, Copper Penny and Lollipop. I use them with a MAC liner, either Chesnut or Cork.
NYX Mega Shine l/g: PLUM
NYX Mega Shine l/g : POP
NYX Mega Shine l/g: Vanilla **great nude**
NYX Mega Shine l/g: Africa
NYX Mega Shine l/g: Coppy Penny
NYX Mega Shine l/g: Lillipop

Now Temptalia did a post on the NYX Mega shine lipgloss in:
She gave the product a B, check the post out here. She complained of the smell but said they go on well and are highly pigmented. A YouTuber claimed that they are doups for MAC lusterglass lipglosses. I really like the fact that they are NOT sticky!!

I'll say that NYX MEGA Shine lip gloss have a RANGE of colors for ALL types of beauties. No they don't last 'all day', but I expect to have to reapply so its not a big deal. For the PRICE ($3.00 a piece on Ebay) they are deal!!


For you frugal fashionista's out there I've collected some discount NYX sellers for you. Please note that all were recommended by YouTube Make up Gurus after their purchasing experience. Check them out. I'd love to hear how you feel about NYX glosses: Round or Mega Shine.

Ms Cuppy Cakes

Nonpareil boutique

Shop Craze

Enjoy!!
Umm Amirah

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Getting the Job done: Make up Tools

Salaams and Saluations Beauties!!!

So are you digging the NYC trip? I am!!! I'm getting the goody bags together as we speak!!

Anywhoo. Soooo Umm Amirah is on a 'make up fast' till the end of the year (le sigh), so I'm going to do this post about TOOLS. Tools are essential to created the perfect LOOK. Whether it's natural, nuetral or OUT THERE, if you don't have the right tools its NOT going to look right.

On YouTube, The Island Beauty has a great view of her tools. Now mind you, she lives in Japan and has access to tools not availalb state side. She uses MAC tools as well.



For ME, right now, I have Sonia Kashuk brushes from Target (great great great brushes) and some E.L.F studio brushes (great great brushes as well), that you can get from Target as well. E.L.F is a good place to start. Studio brushes are about $3.00 a piece. You can buy a start up set for like $10 on the website. I'm not sure if they have ALL the E.L.F stuff in Target stores as of yet.


The Sonia brushes I have are:

the powder brush
the foundation brush
the small eye shadow brush
the big eye shaddow brush



Here are a list of my ELF brushes:
eyeshaddow 'C' brush ( I want another)
fan brush
complextion brush
blush brush (which I use for bronzer)
small smudge brush

Coast Scents also has some economically friendly brushes. From the reviews on the site and YouTube they have some that are comparable to MAC brushes. Check them out here. They have badger hair brushes and synthetic brushes.

I'm not use if MAC is the bar..but they have some good brushes as well. If you want the FULL MONTEY of MAC brushes, check out Karlasugar here. She does a GREAT job of showing you all the brushes.

I have a MAC brush wish list:
129
217
239
187

I plan to pick these up in January when I go to NYC (due to my make up /make up related fast-lol)

Also there are sponges that I use for cream blushs, my Sephora eye lash curler (works great $5) and various lip brushes (CARGO) for my compact lippies.

What tools do you own?

B Beautiful

Umm Amirah

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

BU Event: NY State of Mind


Asalaam Alaikum & Salutaions Beauties!!!!!!!!

I've been trying to get to NYC since I left last december. I had sooooo much fun. So I've planned a BU trip. Join us for FOOD, FUN, Shopping, a SHOW and did I say FUN?

The Itinerary is a work in progress, but here is what I can share with you at this time:

Friday:

7pm: Dinner at Folukie (zabiha)
Live jazz/ 'Get to Know You' games and goodies

Saturday:
10am-Train to NYC Museums
'Umm AminaHonests' Choice'-- our resident artist taking us to her FAVS

7pm-Dinner
Beautiful Ummah NY State of Mind Dinner
More gifts and goodies
Questions and Answers
Meet and Greet
Location: Yemeni Cafe

Sunday:

10am - ME Time
D'Mai Urban Spa
(you make your own appointments)

3pm Lunch-
Sylvia's
328 Lenox Ave
New York, NY

Monday--

10am- Souqing
Al-Mujalbab
Jamacia, NY

1pm- Depart


We are currently looking for women to share a brownstone apartment in Brooklyn. Please email me for more info @ ummamirah(at)beautifulummah (dot)com.

We'd love to meet fellow beauty bloggers, Youtubers and sister's in NYC.


For your listening pleasure!!



More to come.

B Beautiful,

Umm Amirah

Monday, October 26, 2009

October is Breast Cancer Month...Remember Pink Hijab Day



Salaaams and Salutation Beauties.

As we all know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What have you DONE this month to support breast cancer? I bought a pack of whole coffee at Caribou Coffee....Amy's blend. I have NO way of using it so I gave it away. All for a good cause.

If you follow various beauty blogs or are an Etsy shopper, everyone had a Breast Cancer Awareness give away. COOL!!!

Well Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 is Global Pink Hijab day!!! I have about 3 to 4 pink hijabs..hmmm which one to wear. I have known many a muslimah to pass away from cancer and especially breast cancer. We as muslimahs must pass on the words about awareness, health and early detection. Please know that cancer can affect ALL women. It knows NO race, color, religion or age.

Here are some tips for Global Pink Hijab Day from FB:

National Pink Hijab Day encourages all hijab-wearing Muslimahs to don a pink hijab for the day in a show of solidarity towards finding a cure for breast cancer.

We are also encouraged to:

- Ask non-Muslims to wear a hijab for a day to see what it feels like
- Ask everyone (men included) to wear something pink in a show of solidarity
- Collect funds for charity either through donations or through 'wear a pink hijab for the day' sponsorships (usually going towards breast cancer research, such as the Susan G. Komen foundation)
- Answer any questions that may be directed to pink hijab wearers about Islam
- Show the world that Muslims are making the world a better place
- and.. OF COURSE - Increase breast cancer awareness


There is EVEN a 'Pink Hijab Photo Day Contest'..check it out here . Enter the contest..I plan on it.

B Beautiful,
Umm Amirah

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Sephora Lemmings!

Salaams Beauties!!

I've been quiet on this blog because I am going through a no very little makeup phase. Also, I have been trying to be fiscally responsible as well le sigh. BUT I do have a wish list for the Friends and Family going on at Sephora right now! Here she goes:

NARS Desire blush
Clarisonic replacement brushes (the Clarisonic is the BEST)
MakeUp Forever Foundation
Givenchy Absolutely Irresistible Perfume
Benefit She Laq
Guerlain KissKiss Peche Fougueuse 541 lipstick
NARS Schiap Lipstick

I don't really need anything so I will probably refrain but it's fun to day dream!!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Weekend Warrior

Salaams and Salutations

So....as we all know practice makes perminent..and when dealing with make up and or routines, you have to practice.

So here are some pics of various eye looks. I know I'm still growing and learning techinque, but I wanted to show you how I've been doing. Change is GOOD!!









These are taken on the weekend...

B Beautiful!!
Umm Amirah

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Umm Aminah's Grand Opening Shindig and MORE

Greatings Beauties!!!

The time has come for me to pay my student loan, lol. I am having a GRAND opening shindig at my new shop in Laurel Maryland. It will be on November 14, 2009 from 7-unitl. We are going to have a ball with Hadia's henna and the waxing and makeup. I will post pics of the event.

I am offering special deal packages for waxing and there will be lots of giveaways!!!

If you are interested in coming or know of someone that would be send me an email and I will make sure to send an evite with all of the details...I am also available to do in home spa parties so hit me up!

This weekend I will be doing my first YouTube tutorial video, I will post the information for that a bit later. Come by and check out The Unique Suite LLC and see what we have to offer. Any suggestions on what the first look I do should be?

TTYL!
Umm Aminah
valartist77@yahoo.com

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Beautiful Ummah Post EID Lunch

Salaams and Saluations,
Sooo we had a BU event at Mama's Ayesha's this month. It was SOOOOO fun. The food was great, the company was great...and the invovlement was electrifying. Alhumdulillah about 9 sister came out on this Sunday to have a great lunch. Sunday's are great time to go to restaurants, because its not crowded. We can talk and not have to talk over anyone else.

Alhumdulillah one sister was a new shahada!!! We were so glad to meet her and for her to meet us all. Insha~allah there will be another one after the next EID.
Enjoy

New shahada and her friend


Friends


Sorors: Sage and Unique Mistique


Family


Sorors: The 411, Sage, Unique Mistique


ooohhh an EID gift from my Secret Soror. Pretty


Hmmmm dessert



B Beautiful!!
Umm Amirah

Friday, October 2, 2009

Sephora steals

Salaams and salutations,

Weeeeeeeelllllllll ladies, I pray you all are doing well. Life is good. If you tweet ( Hijabi Apprentice, Pervis the Muslim and I do) and you follow beauty bloggers on Twitter, you've been informed about Sephora's impending Friends and Family Sale. Check it out from Temptalia here. Starting October 19th to November 2nd Sephora will be holding its Friend and Family sale (20% off). Not sure if its JUST the US, or US and Canada.

Now some might not think that 20% is much but, when you are on a budget ( like some of us) or have been WANTING for something for a while--20% off is GRRRRRRREAAAAAAAAT!!

Will you partake in this promotion? If so....what's on YOUR sephora list?

Here is mine:
Shu Uemora brush kit (thanks HA)
Yu-be Moisturizer
NARS Cactus flower (cream blush)
UD Box of shadows I
Benefits mascara BADgirl

B Beautiful,
Umm Amirah

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Checking In

Salaams and Salutations Beauties,

I've been slacking on my posts here so I thought I would check in with you! I've been not really feeling makeupy lately but I'm still big into skincare. I was attempting to "go green" for my makeup and skincare but frankly I wasn't quite successful lol! So I'll just share a list of my recent purchases!

Haul:

Clarisonic brush replacement in sensitive: I like this so much better than the regular! My skin now glows after I use the Clarisonic instead of being red!

MAC Painterly Paint Pot: I need to play around with this some more. The look I did with it was just meh.

MAC Cocomotion pigment: The MAC MUA just gave this too me :). It's so pretty! I swatch later.

Henna: I may give this to my mom.
Cassia
Aveda Damage Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner
Aveda Brilliant heat protectant
Chi Silk Infusion serum
Hot Socks blowdryer diffuser

Okay that's it for now.

Besos,

me

PS: Anyone else NOT feeling MAC's Style Black collection?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Eid Mubarak...we didn't forget

Salaams and Salutations Beauties..


The Beautiful Ummah team would like to wish the believers a blessed EID.

Stay Beautiful

Umm Amirah

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Hijabi Project: Update

Salaams and Salutations Beauties,

Soooo here we are, the END of Ramadan. I pray that those who have been fasting made the MOST out of the month. And that can mean many things for many people. Whether it's just making one's prayers ONE TIME every day this month to praying tarawirh every night. May Allah(swt) accepts your acts of worship and accept your fasts...amin.

So in like of doing something good during Ramadan you know that we did the Hijabi Project here in the DC area for new Muslim sisters. Well....the ummah came out in support. Shurkan to ALL those sister's who donated hijabs ( and there were many a pretty one!!), money, donations from their stores!!! I mean Sunday I went to a sister's iftar where a WHOLE basket of hijabs.



Some went to the DC project, the majority (a long with donated clothes) went to the Muslimat Al-Nisaa in Baltimore. Check it out..a muslim women's shelter in Baltimore. I pray that these hijabs help the new shahada's and those in need, Amin.

Deets:Coastal Scents pallett, Pure lux cosmetics lippie in Lewd.NARS Crazed Blush




B Beautiful!!
Ma salaama
Umm Amirah

Monday, September 7, 2009

Beauty on the Outside: Taqwa Iman


Salaams and Salutations Beauties,

Time for another installment of 'Beauty on the Outside'. This post will feature Taqwa Iman. I must say that when I first came across this line, I was not enthused. I made an early assumption without trying the product. Sister Taqwa sent me a skirt to try out and it was nice. More so NOT my style but I payed it forward to my sister HA.

I then came across Taqwa Iman at ISNA. It was so nice to be able to touch and feel their clothes. Mind you that they have added some great new pieces to their line and I'm so feeling those. It was great to see a lot of 'online' stores at ISNA. Its nice to be able to try on the close you admire online.




Below is my interview with Taqwa Iman's President, Taqwa Aquil. Enjoy.

#1: What is the philosophy behind Taqwa Iman?

The Taqwa Iman philosophy is rather simple. Taqwa Iman is dedicated to making clothes that fit YOUR beliefs and YOUR style.

#2: Have you always had an eye for fashion?
Dressing modest requires you to be innovative with fashion. Prior to my line, I had to always think of ways to make an outfit in a store fit the modest guidelines. I did this from the early age of 11. Despite my young age during this time, my older sisters often requested my assistance and advice on how to combine style and modesty. I got great joy out of doing this then and I still do now!

#3: When did you launch you website?
Taqwa Iman began in 2005 and the website was launched in 2007




#4: What drives you to bring modest fashions to American sisters?

The number one motivation is the lack of choices American sisters currently have when they shop. Shopping should be a joy, a happy experience, but unfortunately, for a lot of American sisters it is a chore and a let down. Time and time again, I have had the experience of trying to find a long skirt and going from store to store without any luck. For American sisters, shopping for modest clothes gets even harder during the summer months when retailers primarily sell clothes that are short and/or revealing. American sisters deserve the right to be able to find great clothes no matter what season.

#5: Did you like your ISNA experience?
It was wonderful! Any designer will tell you that the best feeling in the world is meeting and interacting with the people they design for. Praise God, ISNA allowed me to do that. I met so many wonderful women who had such great style. Women like this who believe in being modest and who take pride in who they are and what they believe in are my inspiration and my motivation!

#6: What is your definition of beauty?
Beauty has no definition, shape, color, or form. It is unique to every person, piece of art, flower, etc. What one person may consider ugly another may see as beautiful.

Shukran Sister Taqwa for the interview. Insha~allah Taqwa Iman is on my EID list of clothes. May Allah(swt) continue to bless your business and all you provide for the ulimah.



*note: all images were taken from the Taqwa Iman site with permission from the President*B Beauitful
Umm Amirah

Friday, September 4, 2009

NYX hauling..sooo pretty.

Salaams and Salutations Beauties....
I'm catching up on posts. In May Cherry Culture had an NYX sale for their birthday. Since my birthday was in May I decided to partake. I mean 40% off...come on now. U know it was calling my name- lol. Anywhoo I really discovered how NICE NYX is. I mean I have a couple of pearl eye shadows..that I don't use (booo on that) but there was MORE to discover.

So in my May haul I purchased two cream blushes, in Glow and Golden. These two are GREAT for summer. For beauties of all shades actually. Glow is a hint of pink and Golden gives you a subtle glow, great for nude days.

Glow and Golden


Then I purchased these Round Lip Glosses. I've come to adore lip gloss. NYX has really good coverage and it's NOT sticky!!! I now need to pair these lovelies with a nice liner. I'm thinking along the lines of MAC. Maybe I'll try the next time I go to Nordstrom. Aren't they adorable?? As you can see, Honey is my fav. It look great and its sheer.

Round glosses: Real Nude, Honey (I heart this one), Pinky Nude and Natural


I also purchased some chrome eye shadows. Look how pretty they are.

Chrome eyeshadow: Panic, Black, Queen, Cosmopolitan (l to r back row), Bayou, Green, and Beauty Queen

In August Cherry Culture had another sale on NYX..sooo because I was really digging the Cream blushes and the Round Lip glosses I decided to pick up some more.

Sooo in this haul I picked up two more cream blushes in Rose Petal and Diva. I truly believe that brown girls CAN wear pinks. I use my Sonia Kashuk foundation brush to apply these..lol.

Cream blushes in Diva and Rose Petal


Since I used up MOST of my Honey I purchased a new one with this latest haul. Since I have a couple of hijabs with pink in them I got the Ballerina Pink and the 24 Karat is sooo sparkly, can't wait to try that one.


Round lip glosses in 24 Karat, Honey and Ballerina Pink



I did purchase some NYX Round lip liners and eye liners...I'm not too enthusiastic about those. So they will be no pics of those..lol.

B Beautiful,

Umm Amirah

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Another BU Event.


Salaams and Salutations Beauties,

If you live in the D/M/V join Beautiful Ummah at Mama Ayesha's in Woodley Park for lunch.


Date: Sunday, September 27, 2009

Time: 2pm to 5pm

Location: Mama Ayesha's at 1976 Calvert Street, NW Washington, DC. (METRO accessible from the Woodley Park station)

FB Event here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59789569807&ref=ts#/event.php?eid=147688905375

Sister's Ramadan is over. Let's meet and eat!! B beautiful, dress it up, show us your hijabi style! Islamic Trivia and give aways to be given away. All are welcome (Muslim, Non- Muslim, Those interested in Islam, friends of BU). Please RSVP by the EID (September 20/21)

B Beautiful,
Umm Amirah

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Water: the life source

Salaams and Salutations Beauties.....

Ramadan mubarak!!! Eight to nine days into this glorious month...and WATER has become essential. Here in on the East Coast...it's HOT. I mean lay in the shade HOT. At sahur and at iftar I find myself drinking at MOST 32oz of water. The days are soooo long.

Here are some facts about water from Wikipedia:

The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size.[28] To function properly, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoid dehydration; the precise amount depends on the level of activity, temperature, humidity, and other factors. Most of this is ingested through foods or beverages other than drinking straight water. It is not clear how much water intake is needed by healthy people, though most advocates agree that 6–7 glasses of water (approximately 2 litres) daily is the minimum to maintain proper hydration.[29] Medical literature favors a lower consumption, typically 1 liter of water for an average male, excluding extra requirements due to fluid loss from exercise or warm weather.[30] For those who have healthy kidneys, it is rather difficult to drink too much water, but (especially in warm humid weather and while exercising) it is dangerous to drink too little. People can drink far more water than necessary while exercising, however, putting them at risk of water intoxication (hyperhydration), which can be fatal.




Because Ramadan for the Muslim is a 'dry fast', meaning NO food or water during morning hours, water is very important in body hydration. Please note that the 'dry fast' sets muslims a part from other faiths that fast.

Sooo get up on your H2O people. Muslim or NOT, water is sooo key. I mean without it humans pass away.

B Beautiful
Umm Amirah

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Moisturize Your Situation!

Salaams Beautifuls!

I know during Ramadan we Muslimahs are busy with ibadah (worship) in addition to our daily family obligations but that is no reason to neglect one's self!

Face:

In the morning when I wake up to prepare suhoor (breakfast) for my family I wash my and apply my moisturizer of choice which most days is Zaja Naturals Fitoderm. I love this stuff!! Other times during the day after performing wudu(ablutions for prayer) I will mist my face with MAC Fix+ and follow up with the Fitoderm or Oyin Afterbath!

Hair:

I have also been doing a lot of pre-shampoo treatments as of late to keep my UBER dry hair moist. I will do a combo of Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Oyin AfterBath or plain coconut oil. I saturate my hair either overnight or right before I jump in the shower, pay special attention to the ends of my hair.

Body:

I like to moisturize in the shower and just blot off after. It leaves my skin super moist. Broken record time (lol): I use either Oyin AfterBath or coconut oil for this job.

Internally:

I cannot stress enough to drink plenty of water!! I am horrible at this myself. For those of us who are fasting it is doubly important to get in plenty of water at suhoor and at iftar. I'm so serious.

Okay ladies I'm off to get some post-fajr sleep.

ma'a salaamah

Friday, August 21, 2009

Ramadan Mubarak

Salaams and Salutations Beauties



The ladies of Beautiful Ummah would like to wish you all a blessed Ramadan. Although we know that not all of our readers are muslims, it is our duty to recognise our most holiest of months. Ramadan is not just a month without food, it a month of mercy and introspection. A time when we as Muslims can work on ourselves and our relationship with our Creator.

Some of you who are not Muslim have Muslim friends, wish them a 'Blessed Ramadan' or even 'Ramadan Mubarak'. Join an MSA 'Fast-a-Thon' or fast on your own from sundown to sunset. Islamic Greeting Cards can be purchased from Muslamb Paper Goods, Silver Envelope, or A Crafty Arab.

I will leave you with words from the Prophet Muhammad's sermon on Ramadan:

Baihaqi reported on the authority of Salman Al-Farsi (Radhi Allah 'Anh) that Prophet ('Alaihi Salat was-Salam) delivered a sermon on the last day of the month of Sha'ban. In it he ('Alaihi Salat was-Salam) said,

"O People! The month of Allah (Ramadan) has come with its mercies, blessings and forgivenesses. Allah has decreed this month the best of all months. The days of this month are the best among the days and the nights are the best among the nights and the hours during Ramadan are the best among the hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him (to fast and pray). Allah has honoured you in it. In every breath you take is a reward of Allah, your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted and your invocations are answered.

Therefore, you must invoke your Lord in all earnestness with hearts free from sin and evil, and pray that Allah may help you to keep fast, and to recite the Holy Qur'an. Indeed!, miserable is the o ne who is deprived of Allah's forgiveness in this great month. While fasting remember the hunger and thirst o n the Day of Judgement. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard.

Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Do repent to Allah for your sins and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times, during which Allah Almighty looks at His servants with mercy. Allah Answers if they supplicate, Responds if they call, Grants if He is asked, and Accepts if they entreat. O people! you have made your conscience the slave of your desires.

Make it free by invoking Allah for forgiveness. Your back may break from the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Allah for long intervals, and make this load lighter. Understand fully that Allah has promised in His Honour and Majesty that, people who perform salat and sajda (prostration) will be guarded from Hell-fire o n the Day of Judgement.

O people!, if anyone amongst you arranges for iftar (meal at sunset) for any believer, Allah will reward him as if he had freed a slave, and Allah will forgive him his sins. A companion asked: "but not all of us have the means to do so" The Prophet (SAAWS) replied: Keep yourself away from Hell-fire though it may consist of half a date or even some water if you have nothing else.


Ramadan Mubarak and B Beautiful!!
Umm Amirah

Friday, August 14, 2009

Contest winner...late I know **sigh**

Salaams and Salutations Beauties,



Umm Amirah is back (wow 3 times in ONE week!) Anywhoo, in April I posted a contest and only 1 person submitted an entry **le sigh*. Amina from over at Coup de Coeur submitted entry. The Contest was posted here.

I know...I'm a slacker...well FYI Amina..your HONEY MONEY should be sent this weekend. Thanks so much for your submission and acceptance of Beautiful Ummah into the beauty blog family. **big cheese**


This is Amina's pic (so pretty) and here is her look, in her own words:

'My warm weather look is Minimal with an emphasis on great skin and blush/lips combos
Here in Bloomington, it is so hot and humid and the last thing I want to do is wear anything. So my warm weather look is all about cheeks and lips. I won't wear any foundation, tinted moisturizer, just a touch of a concealer dot on any spots that need to be concealed and gently add with a light hand pressing powder.

my eyes: just mascara and make sure that my eyebrows are on point
my cheeks:it's all about cream blush and/or bronzer!!
lips: my colors these summers are MAC Red Devil, Bobbi Brown Tangerine and Bobbi Brown hot pink

I will be wearing my Bobbi Brown pot rouge or Stila convertible color/ push up color.'

BU family let's give Amina a round of applause. Look out for more contests coming this fall.

B Beauitful
Umm Amirah

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Hijabi Project: Ramadan 2009

Salaams and Salutations Beautifuls,

Hijabi Apprentice posted a YouTube from a fellow hijabi that doing a hijab give away for ramadan. When I saw it I was like , 'Masha~allah that is great!!'. I also thought that since there have been an influx of new sister's in MY area I wanted them to benefit from the idea as well. So came along the Hijabi Project.

In the D/M/V I will be providing 10 free hijabs to new muslimahs, tween and teens this ramadan. I'm asking that they be in THIS area because I'm not mailing them, sorry. I'm looking for sister's who would like to donate hijabs, pins, time, colored tissue paper for wrapping and ramadan cards. I'm also looking for business that want to donate or give away 10% discounts on merchandise for these new muslimah.

Check out the events page on BEAUTIFUL UMMAH for more info.

Enjoy the Ramadan Project from The Vintage Goth:


**all donations are fisabilillah (for the pleasure of allah(swt)**

And please if you see a need like THIS in your area....share the idea and insha~allah it can be of some benifit to someone during the blessed month of Ramadan.

B Beautiful,
Umm Amirah

In Person Illamasqua Review




Greetings Beauties!!!

Here is the long awaited view of my Illamasqua haul from sephora.com. I am so sad that the Sephora in this area do not have the Illmasqua displays yet. I am hoping the D/M/V gets one soon.

I have to admit, I was hating at first. I only tried fatal when I got the package and I am still not impressed with that color. It is no where near as rich as MAC's purple lines. It almost reminded me of Cover Girl or something. However, once I finished my large serving of hateraid I tried the other colors. To my surprise, the other colors that I ordered were very, very nice. I ordered one of the loose pigment was VERY nice. In comparison, MAC's eyeshadow choices are less expensive at 14.50 for 1.5grams verses Illmasqua's 20.00 for 2grams. All and all, these are good buys if you do not mind ordering on-line unless you are in the New York Area. I hope this review is helpful!

Here are the swatches and the look I created with these three colors. I had to add some of my MAC shadow in Parfait Amour Frost....

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

End of Summer hauling...discounts

Salaams and Salutations Beauties!!
I pray you all have been well. I've got some goodies for you. I checked my email and what did I see? Anita grant has FREE Shipping till the end of August!!! WHAT?? I've been lemming Anita Grant for YEARS. Wouldn't order cuz the shipping from the UK is NO joke. BUT....this is worth taking a gander at. Free shipping..man you can go half with a friend!!

Check out EmpressRi from YouTube. She is a TRUE product junkie!!! (I thought, everyone thought, I was bad. I ain't got NOTHING on her..lol) She gives a great review of Anita Grant (with my British accent) here:


It looks like I'm a stick to samples to keep this under $100. Definately want that Carmellia Kissi oil, a Rhassoul heart, a couple of Lip Puckers and the Organic Sapote & Coconut Palmade. What about you?




Oh...and don't forget that Urban Decay is having a 30% off Friends and Family sale till the 20h of the month. Use code FNFF1 at checkout to get the discount.I love me some Urban Decay. I've been lemming their palettes for a WHILE now. I mean palettes are SOOO economical and are great for travel. This way I don't have to wait till the end of year sales to get them...hurraayy.

Check out Pursebuzz's swatches of Urban Decay products. She does a GREAT job!!

Happy shopping....

B Beautiful

Umm Amirah

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Beautiful Sunnah: Olive Oil



Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.” (Tirmidhi)

My fave olive oil based product is Oyin Afterbath!

Monday, July 27, 2009

New Make-Up Line to Launch at Sephora

Greetings Divas!



MAC now has some competition that is coming state side. Illamasqua is due to launch at the 5th Avenue Sephora on July 21, 2009 and the brand will be carried at 26 other stores throughout America by the October. This is a hot line of bright, highly pigmented colors in a wide variety of shades. What is also great about this line is the website has beauty tutorials from professionals that is OUTSTANDING!!! The website is super easy to navigate and they have a wide selection of items.

I can hardly wait to see what these products really can do!!!!

Here is the website link: http://www.illamasqua.com/



Ciao!


Sunday, July 5, 2009

happy and soft hair



PLUS




PLUS




=

Butter soft hair with defined curls!!!


Tis All :)


(none of the photos above are mine as I was too lazy to take pics the TJ NourishSpa is courtesy of Afrobella, parachute from amazon and shower from google images)