Review | Luxe Skin and Hair Co

Let’s talk hair care... I was kindly sent this hair oil to test out and tell you guys about. I’ve been using it consistently for the last month, 2-3 times a week. I use it the night before and wash out the next day or put it on in the morning and wash out before bed. I literally drench my hair with the oil from root to tip. 

From the first use my hair felt really soft. Over the last 4 weeks I’ve noticed my hair has grown quicker than it has been since I cut it. 

I use it on my daughter after washing her hair because she has really dry hair that gets tangled easily. The oil makes her hair much more manageable, but a little goes a very long way if you’re going to use it after washing your hair as it can look greasy. 

When you wear hijab you tend to forget about your hair. Post- partum, I went days without even brushing my hair so I did the mum chop, looking forward to growing my hair out again InshaAllah. My hair feels so soft, healthy and nourished after using this. I would highly recommend including the @luxeskinandhairco hair elixir into your self care routines. 

UPDATE: 

I've now been using this oil for several months and can see a huge difference when I do use it before every wash and when I haven't used it for a while. The oil makes a huge difference to the quality of my hair, because of previously bleaching if I don't use the oil for a while it goes back to being really dry. definitely need to re-purchase this once it's empty.

Don’t forget to use the code “ihijabi10” for 10% off your orders. 

What nobody tells you about having a baby | Fertility

I've discussed some of these issues in my blog post 'When are you having a baby?' as well as the post 'PCOS Nobody wants to talk about it' so you may want to read those posts as well if you are going through these issues yourself.

I want this post to give you a heads up if you're going to get married soon, to let you know that getting pregnant in the first place isn't plain sailing for a lot of women and if you find yourself in that situation then it's ok and it will be ok inshaAllah. For women trying to conceive, a little hope by letting you know that  there are success stories for people who have gone through fertility issues and that you are definitely not alone.

I'm currently reading Michelle Obama's biography titled 'Becoming', half way through reading about such a driven and ambitious woman I read the part about her and her husband trying for a baby.

"Fertility is not something you conquer. Rather maddeningly, theres no straight line between effort and reward..." she writes, "...Seeing women and their children walking happily along a street, I'd feel a pang of longing followed by a bruising wallop of inadequacy."

The ex-first lady who as a woman I could totally relate to, her feelings of inadequacy and her struggles were so close to home. She went on to have a miscarriage and then trying Clomid before going through IVF for both her pregnancies. It was just such a wow moment for me because there are so many women who go through these things but when you're in it yourself, you feel like you are the only one, that there is something wrong with you because everyone else around you is getting pregnant accidentally or very easily it seems.

Islamically we shouldn't discuss our intimate spousal relations with anyone and I wholeheartedly agree with that, but what that has meant is that fertility and getting pregnant has almost become a subject that isn't discussed before marriage at all, giving people a false sense of certainty when they go into marriage. I always thought people got married and then went on to have a baby when they wanted to, I mean in my extended family there are at least 3+ children in each family so to me it was clearly not an issue.

I found that when I had my own issues there wasn't anyone for me to talk to, my husband and I literally went through the whole fertility journey on our own, partly because it was embarrassing almost shameful to talk about but also because I hadn't known anyone else to have gone through it.

Alhamdulillah we had our precious miracle baby girl after one round of Clomid. After I had gone through it I discussed it somewhat with close cousins and friends and after writing my posts on it I came to know that what I went through was not uncommon. Alhamdulillah speaking about it has meant that I was able to help other people who didn't know what routes were available to them and who to talk to.

If you are going through something like this please know that you are not inadequate, there is nothing 'wrong' with you and that you are no less of a woman because you are struggling to have a baby.

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Mama & Baby | Baba

Growing up, my dad was strict. He never showed a vulnerable side and as with most South Asian dad's, found it difficult to show affection. In fact, when I think back on it I don't remember him showering us with hugs and kisses or telling us he loves us or is proud of us. When I wanted to go somewhere or do something my mum would say 'go ask your dad' and I never would because I was too scared.

Then in 2010 he was diagnosed with cancer and our world came crashing down. I was at uni at the time and it was the first time I saw my dad broken and vulnerable. I remember the ride home from the hospital after they gave us the news and my dad telling me I needed to be the 'man of the house' and he thinks of me as a son because I'm the eldest (my brothers were just 8 and 1 at the time). It's the first time I felt his words as his love for us, the first time I felt like my dad wasn't just interested in what grades  got at school but also deeply loved us and cared for us and worried about our future and how we might have to survive without him.  Alhamdulillah he is in remission but still not the same as he was before he got ill.

That time in our lives was hard but in hindsight made us stronger as a family. He relied on me more and to this day after I'm married and busy with my own little one, he still gets comfort from me coming to his appointments with him, doing applications for him or even just discussing his health issues with him. Probably more than not because I studied in the medical and healthcare field and I understand this area a bit more than anyone else in my family but also because I've grown up and he doesn't feel the need to protect me from everything now.

I felt my dad's love in other ways like when he had no expense spared at my wedding or bought me 2 outfits every Eid just because I liked it, bringing home chicken tikka because I've come to stay. I very rarely hug my dad and when I do it feels awkward because we never showed our emotions like that growing up. I never felt like I missed out until I saw the way my husband is with our daughter.

He is such a doting dad, he gets excited about every little thing she does, he wants to take her out to experience things whether thats going to the farm and seeing some animals or having daddy daughter days where he takes her out for a few hours to the park or for some ice cream while I'm out with friends or having a much deserved pamper day.

I love my dad and I know he loves me and I don't know if not getting physical love and affection or being told it with words has made me a slightly cold person where I also find it awkward to show affection. I generally don't greet people with hugs and kisses unless they're my cousins and close family. I'm also not big on using words out loud to express my emotions.

I suppose now that I think back it has had an effect on how I show my affection and I think it's high time we changed the cultural rules on how a father and daughter should be, on how men should show or hide their emotions. I for one wouldn't want my daughter all grown up and not remembering ever been shown love and affection by her dad and I know my husband being the man he is and how he wears his heart on his sleeve she will never feel like that InshaAllah.

I know there will come a day where I will regret not hugging my parents enough, not telling them I love them enough. I pray that my husband and I don't take on this typical asian parenting style as our daughter grows up, I hope that we can nurture her feelings, show her we love her and allow her to express her feelings to us without it being awkward.

What nobody tells you about having a baby | Relationships

When I look at this photo I remember how exhausted we both were that day. It was taken at my brother in laws Walima and the little bubba was being super fussy and clingy (she was coming down with a cold). The look on our faces shows the lack of sleep and no time to relax for probably a month before because of my cousins wedding, sisters wedding and brother in laws wedding (if you know asian weddings you'll know there are so many events leading up to it and after it). This was the last of them and we were just glad the family weddings were over for the year.

One thing no one really talks about when planning a family is how having a child effects you as a couple. Like all couples we had our ups and downs before having a baby but it was pretty easy going and carefree looking back at it now.

Having a baby changes things significantly. You're overwhelmed with love for your little one but with that comes the lack of sleep, the exhaustion of caring for a human being that is solely dependent on you and the lack of time and energy you have for each other. Believe it or not, it's easy for a mother to give all her time and attention to her child and for your husband to feel like you don't love him as much or don't have time for him anymore.

Realistically dressing up, going out and 'date nights' are going to be that much harder.

I'm not going to lie it's not been easy and it still isn't easy. There are arguments about who did the most, who washed the bottles the most, who got the most sleep and if you're a stay at home mum you may have even heard the dreaded 'I went out to work, you stayed at home all day'.

Some days I'm watching the clock and counting down the hours till hubby comes home just so he can take her off me and I can go to the toilet on my own. I actually think I would have gone crazy if I didn't live with my in laws because having a child stuck to you day and night it mentally and physically draining, so the few minutes she stays with my mil or sil is a huge blessing.

There are often times hubby and I are living together but so busy with life that we don't have time to even talk to each other, this builds tension and I find myself getting angry with him for little things (literally little things like the fluff of his socks coming off on to the rug...writing it out makes me sound crazy and he often thinks I am too when I nag him for these things).

The only way to prevent things building up so much is communication. Men are terrible at picking up hints and realising things for themselves so if something is bothering you, just tell him. Sometimes when I'm in a bad mood hubby just leaves me to it, after I've done nagging him and complaining he'll ask 'What can I do to make things better?' and that just helps me to take a step back and actually evaluate what's wrong and what I need him to help me with.

For example I've told him that after he comes home from work and freshened up, I need him to take her from me and allow me to be by myself for a little while, whether that's lying in bed doing nothing, watching TV with a cuppa or taking a bath, I need him to be in a completely different part of the house so I am truly by myself. This helps me to unwind and recharge.

I've given him specific requests like on his days off he could do the morning routine of brushing her teeth and get her ready while I had a day getting ready in my own time.

Doing this has also helped me look at things from his point of view too he works hard outside the home, so I do the night routines, try to settle her in the night and do my best to ensure he has a proper sleep (although that's not always possible). I make a conscious effort to be more empathetic with him and help him out when he needs it too.

Although it's easier said than done, it's really important to make time for each other as well. Even little things like watching a series on Netflix together or getting take out on his day off, gives you both something to look forward to. We often have sushi nights where we try to put the baby to sleep before getting some sushi to eat in our room. Now that our daughter is a bit older and more comfortable with other family members we plan to leave her with her aunts and grandparents and go out to do things that make us feel young again. Being a parent really makes you grow up and being a grown up can get boring. So experience outings like extreme trampolining, Top Golf, Go Ape or doing some sort of sport together will help freshen things up and change the routine of adulthood.

I've had girls tell me about wanting to have a baby but not being in a 100% stable position with their spouse. If there is one advice I can give is be completely sure of who you are as a couple, try and resolve any issues you have with each other and be completely happy with each other and the status of your relationship before planning to have children. Some might think a baby will fix their relationship, make their spouse take more responsibility and make more time for them but it's more likely to do the opposite.

Having a baby is a huge strain on a relationship and if you don't have a 100% supportive husband it only makes your life much harder. Enjoy your life together before the responsibilities of having a child and build the foundation on which your family will grow.

Be realistic and be prepared for the changes that will come with becoming a parent, speak to your husband about the things you expect from him and see if your ideas on parenting match up.  Throughout the whole journey communicate communicate communicate.

Honestly parenting is a difficult 24/7 job, but it is easier and more enjoyable when both your spouse and you are on the same page, understand and support each other.

Beauty Review | Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint

I've trialled and reviewed a lot of liquid lipsticks in my search for the perfect colours, a formula that is comfortable on the lips and not too drying, one that doesn't bleed when not worn with lipliners, that is long-lasting and one that is transfer-proof. For me the Fenty beauty lip paints tick all the boxes bar one they're not transfer-proof but I can live with that.

I absolutely love the packaging of these lipsticks, they look and feel very luxe, which in my opinion just adds to the whole experience of buying and using makeup. Taking a place of pride on my dressing table they look like they're worth every penny.

U N C E N S O R E D

I bought this red lip paint when it first released even though I'm not a huge fan of red lipsticks on myself because I don't feel like red suits me. But I was excited to get my hands on it as it was marketed as a 'universal red' one that suits every skin tone.

The colour is slightly darker than the classic Hollywood red but I think I just prefer my red's much darker. I don't tend to reach for this much because I'm not that daring but it is perfect for bridal makeup and on special occasions.

U N C U F F E D

After seeing this on fellow blogger 'Safiyyah Tasneem' I felt like this colour was very much like Anastasia Beverly Hills 'patina' liquid lipstick, however after trying it out on my lips its definitely a less pink and more nude colour for me.

I bought this during the black Friday sales on the Harvey Nichols site where Fenty Beauty was discounted 10% (not much, but they never have Fenty on sale in the UK so this was so worth it!). The colour is the perfect pinky/mauve nude for me as it matches my lip exactly. It's literally like my own lip colour but better. It's the one I can see myself using on a day to day basis with minimal makeup.

U N V E I L E D

This lip colour gives me so much nostalgia, it's such a 90's colour, the colour I remember my mum and aunts always wearing, the colour my older cousins would wear on special occasions. When I saw this I knew I had to have it. If it wasn't for Fenty I don't think I would have ever been drawn to this shade but I'm so glad I got it because I'm in love!

I feel like this colour makes my thin lips look fuller and is perfect for Autumn/Winter. I love it so much I feel like just wearing it around the house for no reason. I actually look forward to doing my makeup just so I can wear this lipstick...my new fav!

Overall I would highly recommend the lip paints, they very long lasting and don't really budge even after eating and drinking. They apply really evenly unlike other liquid lipsticks that can apply streaky. They don't make your lips look or feel dry and flakey.

Double thumbs up from me!