What Are Your (Physical) Hijab Pain Points? We've Got the Solutions!
Written by: Oumme Musa
Since day one, our goal at Malbus has been to provide hijabs and accessories that are not only beautiful, but also uniquely practical – products that aren’t just more of the same that’s already out there but genuinely make it easier and more comfortable to wear hijab. Over the years we’ve heard from so many hijab-wearing women who tell us about their struggles with headaches, ear pain, acne, feeling too hot, destroying their beloved scarves with pins, or even experiencing hair loss due to the hijabs and accessories they were using or how they were wearing them.
A motto we repeat often as a team is, if hijab is hurting you, you’re doing it wrong. And, “doing it wrong” certainly isn’t your fault if you’re not aware of what’s out there to help make wearing hijab a fundamentally better experience – both physically and mentally. Wearing hijab is an important, meaningful part of our lives and it should never be uncomfortable or painful.
That’s why we remain dedicated to not only providing beautiful, breathable fabrics in airy weaves and natural fibers, but also to innovating on hijab staples, like underscarves and pins, in ways that actively solve the issues many of us face when wearing hijab.
We’ve learned a lot about your hijab pain points over the years and have come up with some tips and tricks, both through our product development processes as well as our own personal experiences as hijabis, to make hijab wearing not just better, but really, really good.
The problem: Headaches, hair loss, slippage and ear pain.
The days of the tube underscarf are not so far behind us (and perhaps for some of us, they haven’t ended) but many of us still have the misconception that tight on the head = secure. As a result, there’s a temptation to try to avoid slippage by overcompensating with a tight fit. The problem, though, is that this puts undue tension on the head, which can lead to headaches and ear pain. It can also stress the hair and scalp, causing hair thinning and breakage particularly at the hairline.
The solution: Loosen up and skip the headaches.
Due to the round shape of the head, tying your underscarf too tightly can actually encourage slippage, not prevent it. Our Ultimate Underscarves are designed with stretchy fabric and ergonomic seams meant to sit comfortably secure, not uncomfortably tight. The ties at the back will help you customize your fit, so take the time to find that secure-but-not-tight sweet spot, and resist the urge to go overboard. Your scalp will thank you for it!
The problem: Caring for our hair when it’s covered up most of the time.
How many of us have heard something like this before (or perhaps even thought it ourselves): “Why bother with hair care if it gets covered up anyways?”
Oh, but it matters so much, and we deserve better than this mindset. We all want our hair to be beautiful and last us for our lives. Properly caring for our hair is critical as well as making sure we use the right underscarves and hijabs when covering it up.
The problem: Tying back our hair in ways that damage it.
In the quest to tame baby hairs and feel secure in hijab, many of us have become accustomed to pulling our hair back super tightly. But doing so puts undue stress not only on the hair follicles, which can cause hair thinning over time; it also stretches and strains the hair shaft and will damage your beautiful locks.
The solution: Be mindful in how you tie up your hair underneath hijab.
There’s simply no need to stress your hair. Trade in your tight hair ties for a fluffy scrunchie that will go soft on your hair (while providing a nice shape to your bun), or consider alternatives to the usual bun, like French braids. Or, reach for one of our Ultimate Underscarves and simply tuck your hair inside – the ruched back and elastic nape will keep your hair in, even without a hair tie!
Scrunchie
Our newest addition is crafted from ultra-soft fabrics featuring antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties with a secure hold that's gentle on the hair. Ruched elastic construction creates a seamless, rounded shape underneath your hijab.
The problem: Dreaded holes in your hijab!
Come on, you know what we’re talking about!
The solution: Stop ruining your scarves with safety pins!
It’s 2022, dear reader. If you haven’t already boarded the No-Snag Hijab Magnets train, it’s time. Ours are premium-crafted with super-strength neodymium magnets so that they are actually strong enough to replace pins. In fact, they’re even strong enough to hold through multiple layers of jersey! They will save your scarves from the holes and snags created by using traditional pins. Plus, unlike the traditional safety pin, the bezel surrounding the magnets is smooth and nickel-free, so it won’t irritate the skin at your neck.
You can also use them for other styling tricks, like securing your hijab to your shirt for a draped-shoulder look (that you don’t have to fix every five seconds) or to close up a lower neckline.
No-Snag Hijab Magnets
Our No-Snag Hijab Magnets offer the function and security of a traditional safety pin in an ultra-strong magnet that won't snag even the most delicate fabrics like chiffon or silk. The finish is crafted from nickel-free zinc alloy for a brilliant shine that won't bother sensitive skin. Each purchase includes one pair each of our Gold, Silver, Rose Gold and Gunmetal colors.
The problem: A stifling hijab.
If you’re someone who “runs hot” or lives in a toasty climate, you need a hijab that breathes. One of the worst things is to be wearing a fabric that feels hot, sweaty or stifling on our heads. It’s no good for our hair, our necks or our general demeanor!
The solution: Prioritize breathability.
Our particular favorite fabric for keeping cool and breezy is our Signature Hijab. Not only is the light, cotton-like weave breathable on its own, but kicks it up a notch due to its unique properties as a material. The fiber itself has an irregular “floral” or pentahedral shape, which increases its tensile strength but reduces its fabric density compared to cotton. This irregular shape of the fiber and the gaps it creates around its exterior effectively open up space within the thread that makes it easier to wick away moisture and allow heat to escape from the surface of the skin.
This unusual structure seems to be what gives our signature hijab its cool-to-the-touch feeling, as well as its superior sun protective and anti-bacterial qualities, as compared to cotton or polyester. But technical stuff aside, the feather-light softness speaks for itself — it’s just a dream all around.
If there are any pain points you’re struggling with that we didn’t address in this list, we want to hear from you! Please share your experiences in the comments below or reach out to us anytime at Info.malbus@gmail.com We’re here to help and would love to hear from you.
Experience Comfort in Modesty: Shop Now and Discover the Solutions to Your Hijab Pain Points with Malbus!