Over the past years, the beauty industry has been proactive about representing more Muslim women. Nura Afia was named a CoverGirl. Orly created a collection of halal-certified nail products with Muslim Girl. While these are praise-worthy steps forward, one group that has been woefully underrepresented are black Muslims. Halima Aden may have starred in Fenty Beauty’s launch campaign, but there is still so much work to be done.
This has been a major topic of conversation in the modest fashion and beauty blogging communities, especially following the recent Dubai Modest Fashion Week. London-based beauty influencer Manal Chinutay lamented about both the lack of women of color she saw while attending DMFW and colorism within the Muslim community.
“I myself was the only black woman to be flown out and participate out of MANY beautiful influential black women,” she wrote on Instagram. “Whilst there, I’ve had our sisters (WOC who live in Dubai and purchased tickets) come up to me at the event and ask me what was very apparent . . . ‘Where are all the other black bloggers/influencers?'”
1. Hodan Yusuf (@hodan.ysf)
Hodan Yusuf serves major beauty inspiration because she’s unafraid to rock a blue lipstick or wear blinding highlighter.
2. Hodhen Liaden (@hodhenliaden)
Hodhen Liaden created the Instagram @darkskinnedhijabis to raise up fellow black Muslim women. As for her feed, you can expect reviews for all of the most buzz-worthy launches and some seriously mesmerizing close-ups of gorgeous eye makeup.
3. Manal Chinutay (@chinutay)
Manal Chinutay is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand beauty influencers — Lancome UK just collaborated with her on a tutorial. The Toronto-raised, London-based vlogger not only posts glamorous (but doable!) makeup, but also owns her own hijab brand, Chinutay & Co.
4. Yasmine Simone (@___enimsay)
Yasmine Simone’s feed is a mix of swoon-worthy, glowing makeup looks (both on herself and clients), her latest skincare obsessions, and endless hijab and headwrap inspiration.
5. Aysha Harun (@ayshaharun)
Aysha is a Toronto-based Ethiopian beauty vlogger with 130,000+ subscribers on YouTube. She posts about everything from reviews of buzzy products like Patrick Starrr’s MAC collection to helpful tutorials like “Top 5 Bronzers For Dark Skin.”
6. Hodman Ibrahim (@hodmanita)
Hodman is a Somali makeup artist who kills it at dramatic beauty transformations for her clients. She’s also a fan of a bold lip and for that, we’re fans.
7. Zainab Hassan (@zainabhassanxo)
Zainab is UK-based Nigerian makeup artist who will be everywhere soon enough — she’s already worked with Netflix’s Chewing Gum star Michaela Coel. On herself, she slays her face beat with drugstore beauty products, will try a faux lip ring look, and embraces hard-to-pull-off shadow colors (like green!).
8. Sira B. (@cindersiraa)
Sira is a Gambian beauty blogger based in Atlanta. She is the absolute queen of strobing and will inspire you to take your own glow to the next level — there’s no such thing as too much highlighter!
9. Ramie (@rxmiee)
Ramie is a London-based Eritrean beauty influencer who only recently started her YouTube page but already has an impressive following on Instagram. Whether she’s using Huda Beauty liquid lipstick as eye shadow, creating faux freckles with a bobby pin, or trying colored contacts, you’ll always be inspired.
10. Sagal Ibrahim Shire (@sagaleeyaa)
Sagal is a London-based Somali blogger who covers all lifestyle, from fashion to motherhood. On the beauty front, she often goes full-glam — which complements her signature African headwraps beautifully.
11. Sabrina (@brinney_)
Sabrina is a Seattle-based beauty influencer who slays at selfies — her lashes, brows, and lips are true beauty #goals.
12. Zulaikha M (@artistrybyzee)
Zulaika is a Nigerian makeup artist with the most gorgeous skin. Like her headwraps, her taste in makeup is extremely colorful, and she’ll try everything from white winged eyeliner to black lipstick.
13. Ahlam Yusuf (@ahglam_)
Ahlam is a Minnesota-based beauty vlogger who also competes in beauty pageants (so she knows a thing or two about mastering stage makeup). She does a killer cut-crease look like no other.
14. Maryama A. (@kawaiiabdul)
Maryama is a Kansas City-based Somali blogger who mainly shows off her incredible sense of fashion, but she also wins in the beauty department. Expect to see her love of matte lipsticks, glowing golden skin, and major headscarf styling inspiration (hello, hijab-braid!).
15. Neelam Hakeem (@neelam_)
Neelam is a California-based influencer whose makeup is beautifully minimalist: all about lashes and lips.
16. Shahd Batal (@shahdbatal)
Shahd is always on top of the latest launches for her beauty vlogs, from Huda Beauty’s Desert Dusk palette to the Fenty Stunna lip paints.
Credit: Kristina rodulfo
Edited by Karah
