Unpopular Opinion: Make-up & Cosmetics

Hello lovelies,

Today's post is one that may be slightly odd, especially due to the fact that my make-up skills are probably less that Ron's "emotional range of a teaspoon" (Harry Potter references are sometimes a must!) In other words, I'm not a make-up or beauty guru. However, in my latest video, I give a brief history on make-up and then my personal opinion or 'relationship' with it. I could have gone into depth and had a massive debate about whether businesses simply steal our money or if in fact it is a way to empower women, but I decided to keep it short and simple (and also confusing...sorry!)

If you would like to watch it, I'll leave the link below! If the three minutes of me talking may bore you :P then here is the overall idea:

If make-up and cosmetics make you feel happier, and it works for you, then that's great! However, if you feel pressured to wear make-up or look a certain way, don't be ashamed to be outside of the stereotypical definition of beauty. As the cliche' saying goes, 'Be Your Own Kind Of Beautiful!' 
P.S. Don't ever shame people for their choices (!!!!) - whether they decide to wear make-up and use cosmetics, or decide it isn't for them.

Take care,

Hana :) x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABWo9HebDag

Yasmin Mogahed

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening lovelies,

Today I am going to briefly discuss Yasmin Mogahed. She is titled as a 'Public Figure' on her Facebook page, and I'm sure you'll find that you've read a quote by her before. So, without further-a-do I shall talk about the reason behind this blog post.

A couple of years back I attended several 'Islamic Lectures', to which started off well! However, overtime the lectures felt more intense less helpful, but instead quite frightening. Needless to say it messed with my head! This is why I value Yasmin's talks so much. The way she speaks/writes show her wisdom and the true beauty of Islam, without coming across as harsh.

Here I'll copy a piece of writing from her book 'Reclaim Your Heart'! And I think you'll be able to see why I like her talks so much! Enjoy! Hana x

'And yet, in society, there is another prevalent “master” which has defined for women their worth. And that is the so-called standard of beauty. Since the time we were little, we as women, have been taught a very clear message by society. And that message is: “Be thin. Be sexy. Be attractive. Or…be nothing.”

So we were told to put on their make-up and wear their short skirts. Instructed to give our lives, our bodies, our dignity for the cause of being pretty. We came to believe that no matter what we did, we were worthy only to the degree that we could please and be beautiful for men. So we spent our lives on the cover of Cosmo and we gave our bodies for advertisers to sell.

We were slaves, but they taught us we were free. We were their object, but they swore it was success. Because they taught you that the purpose of your life was to be on display, to attract and be beautiful for men. They had you believe that your body was created to market their cars.

But they lied.

Your body, your soul was created for something higher. Something so much higher.'

Poetry...Again!

So as some of you may know, I like poetry. So what better way than to post a poem I wrote within five minutes, as a little note to self (let's just pretend it could be about me). To be honest, my aim of the poem was as a reminder to anyone who reads it, that they're uniquely incredible.

Bring on the cheesiness haha!

I hope you embrace YOU today and enjoy the poem, as well as the video.

Take care x

Hana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kdTfH_smA8

Update (Hello 2015)

I haven't been on here for months, so HELLO! :)

I don't have a particular aim or plan of what I want to write but I do know that something inspired me to write a little today. As I am currently reading a book on feminism, I realised a lot of things I feel, have felt and will undoubtedly feel, are definitely not natural. This ranges from being scared of walking alone in the street, even if it is light outside, to feeling the need that I need to be small, or the annoying feeling I get when I know that my sister and I will never be as "free" as possible.

Now, I respect "boundaries" and have certain things that I wouldn't be willing to do...this is not necessarily related to my gender...but simply because I wouldn't be comfortable doing it. I am in no means against males, I have a brother, father, grandad, uncles, have had respectable male teachers, and so on, therefore I appreciate that "Not All Men" is an honest phrase. However, this does not eliminate the sexism that generally DOES take place - ranging from actions that take place at schools, work, public, or even in people's mindset.

"You're a boy, you can't become a designer."

"Come on, be serious Ellie, you don't really think you can be an astronaut, do you?"

"Aw, you're a little girl, why would you cut your hair?"

"Mikey, put your sister's doll down."

I understand that our biological differences make us more suitable to certain roles, but let's not forbid the future generation from certain things, simple based on their gender. Teach little girls that they can be energetic and play outside. Don't deprive boys from things like arts and crafts. Let kids be kids, without the gender stereotypes. Maybe then, the next generation will grow up respecting each other, despite biological/gender differences, and treating one another equally...which is what feminism is about. EQUALITY.