As I lay in my bed, I heard the door creak open and the muted padding of my oldest daughter's feet over the carpet. I kept my eyes closed, knowing why she was creeping into my bedroom early in the morning.

My closet door opening confirmed it.

I heard the rustling of fabric. I rolled over and watched her shuffling through the long hijabs hanging on hooks inside the closet door. I offered Salam. She returned the greeting, never taking her gaze from the colors before her. She lifted a burgundy hijab from the hook and draped it over her head before smiling sheepishly and backing out of my bedroom door.

Daughters borrowing their mothers' hijabs (and vice versa) is a common and natural occurrence in many Muslim households. It can be a fun and bonding experience that allows for shared fashion choices and a sense of connection.

Borrowing hijabs from their mothers also allows daughters to explore different colors, styles and fashion choices. It enables them to experiment with different looks and express their creativity. This can be an enjoyable and educational experience as they learn what styles suit their preferences and individuality.

But, as with most things in life, we are not the same.

My daughter and I have different skin tones. I have a rich brown complexion, and she is fairer. So while she may use a few of my hijabs, she has her separate collection of hijabs that best suit her skin tone. Figuring out what hijab colors work for our different skin tones as well as ones that universally work well for both of us was important for our sense of confidence in ourselves.

We each went through steps to understand our skin tones to buy flattering hijabs. There are plenty of sources out there to help you figure out your skin tone and what hijab colors work well with your skin tone. Haute Hijab has two great ones here and here. Let’s look at how that advice works in the real world and how my daughters and I applied it.

1. Wash our faces: We examined our faces when clean and without makeup, allowing us to see our clearer, brighter and more defined skin tones.

2. Use natural light: Lighting can affect how we see our skin tones. For example, a room lit by a fluorescent light might make us appear much paler than usual. On the other hand, natural light can bring out our skin’s natural warmth and tones.

3. Examine our veins: Examining the color of your veins is often suggested as an easy method to determine your undertones. While it can provide some guidance, it is important to note that this method may need to be more foolproof and should be used with other factors to understand your undertones better.

Find a location with natural light, as artificial lighting can affect the appearance of your veins. Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist or forearm. Assess the predominant color you see. You likely have cool undertones if your veins appear more blue or purple. Cool undertones typically pair well with blues, purples, pinks and silver colors.

If your veins have a greenish tint, you likely have warm undertones. Warm undertones complement colors like yellows, oranges, browns and gold. You may have neutral undertones if you find it challenging to discern whether your veins lean more blue or green. Neutral undertones offer versatility, as they often work well with a wide range of colors.

After doing these things, we experimented and tried on each other’s hijabs, selecting which hijabs suited our skin tones and preferences. My daughter and I have very different colors in our collections except for basic black and white. That doesn’t stop her from raiding my closet and “borrowing” one of my hijabs, but it will often look different on her than it does on me.

Which goes to show – if you really like a particular hijab and hijab color and want to wear it (even if it isn’t one of your recommended hijab colors as per your skin tone), go for it!

I love watching her experiment with different looks; it’s fun to see how she combines my hijabs with other items in her wardrobe.

She has a way of making her outfits look effortless – like she just threw it together. But I know that much more thought and work is involved than that! Every time she wears something new, I can see the confidence radiating from within her.

I'm so proud of my daughter for embracing the hijab as part of who she is and not letting others define what beauty means to her.

Choosing the right color hijab can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with a few tips and considerations, you can make the process easier and enjoyable. We talked about how to determine your skin tone, which will help you figure out which hijab colors work for you. Here are some more suggestions to help you find your perfect color hijabs.

1. Skin tone: Yes, we discussed this, but it’s important! Consider your skin tone when selecting a hijab color. Certain colors complement different skin tones better than others. Warm-toned individuals (with yellow or golden undertones) look great in earthy tones, such as olive green, warm browns and deep reds. Cool-toned individuals (with pink or bluish undertones) may find cooler colors like blues, purples and pastels more flattering.

2. Contrast: Consider the level of contrast you want to create with your hijab. If you prefer a more subtle look, choose colors closer to your skin tone or opt for monochromatic combinations. On the other hand, if you want to create a vibrant and bold look, choose colors that contrast with your skin tone. For example, bright colors like coral, royal blue, or emerald green can complement a darker complexion.

3. Occasion: Think about the occasion or setting you'll wear the hijab. For formal or professional environments, neutral colors like black, navy, gray, or beige are versatile and appropriate. For more casual or festive occasions, you can experiment with a wider range of colors and prints that reflect your personal style and the mood of the event.

4. Personal preferences: Ultimately, your personal style and preferences play a significant role in choosing the right color hijab. Consider the colors you naturally gravitate towards and feel confident wearing. If you love wearing vibrant colors, opt for bold shades like magenta, mustard yellow or electric blue. Choose softer colors like pastels or neutrals if you prefer a more muted or understated look.

5. Experiment and try on different colors: Sometimes, the best way to find the right color hijab for you is through experimentation. Be bold and try on different colors, even ones you may have yet to consider. Maybe get together with friends to try on different colors and see how different colors complement your complexion and make you feel. (And then order those colors through Haute Hijab 😀)

While these tips can serve as guidelines, there are no hard and fast rules for choosing a hijab color. The most important thing is to wear a color that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and true to yourself!