Hijab is intended to conceal certain physical charms, but today's muhajabat see no need for hijab to exaggerate their weakest features. With the many new hijab styles coming from Dubai, Istanbul, Cairo and Los Angeles, Muslim women have more hijab options than before, and are looking to create a distinctive hijab style. Selecting hijab styles that complement your face shape is key to developing a sense of hijab style.
Your Face Shape
Determining your face shape is useful for selecting glasses as well as hijab styles, and is done by eye or measuring. If your hair is long or full, pull it back. Look in the mirror. Those with rectangular faces have high foreheads, and heart-shaped faces have foreheads that are broader than their cheekbones and chin. If your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you have an oval face. Square faces are as wide as they are long, with a characteristic square jaw. Round faces are short and wide, with rounded cheeks. Measure the length of your face, and the width of your forehead, cheekbones and jawline if you're having trouble deciding.
Foremost, Foreheads
Trying to conceal a high forehead by just wearing your hijab lower on the forehead backfires, as it only accentuates what you're trying to hide. An under-scarf that shows beneath your hijab, worn slightly lower than your hairline, breaks up the expanse of forehead. Egyptian styles that layer scarves at an angle draw the eye into the diagonal draping of the scarves instead of straight back, which de-emphasizes the height of your forehead. Avoid the "camel hump" style, or West African styles that have high, stiff folds.
Getting Cheeky
If you have a round or square face, hijab styles that draw the eye vertically complement the width of your face. Drape a dupatta or pashmina shawl loosely around your face, leaving several inches between your chin and the edge of your hijab. The "camel hump" style, with a hijab draped over hair pulled high, also draws the eye up. Avoid styles that have embellishments at the cheek, or that pull tightly on the cheeks.
Chin Up
If your forehead is wider than your chin, balance out the width of the forehead with volume around the neck and chest. Try hijabs with ruffles or flowers at the ends, and bring the embellished ends to the front. Mona style hijabs have draping at the front that softens the look of a pointed chin. With a square hijab, fold one corner down five to seven inches. Drape the folded corner over your head and pin it at your chin. One corner of the hijab is at your back, and two corners at your shoulders. Drape one of the corners at the side over toward the opposite ear. Pin the hijab behind your ear. The hijab fans out over your neck and chest, balancing out a pointed chin.
