What Are Your (Physical) Hijab Pain Points? We've Got the Solutions!
Fashion
|
Jan 18, 2022
|
6 MIN READ
Since day one, our goal at Haute Hijab 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!
Criss-Cross Underscarf - Stone
Featuring a refined design and an ergonomic fit optimized to prevent slipping; Style the customizable front panels with a point or curve, and enjoy the open ear access for a stethoscope or earbuds! The new ruched panel effortlessly distributes hair volume and allows for maximum airflow, while the extended wide-cut band and optional ties at the nape create a custom fit for all-day comfort.
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 solution: Add an extra boost to your hair health.
Our Silk-Blend Satin Underscarves were specially developed for those with natural or textured hair, where eliminating friction on the hair and preventing moisture loss with a silky-smooth lining are absolutely paramount. That said, just about everyone can benefit from this extra hair care boost, regardless of their hair texture. The non-slip silicone band hidden between the inner and outer layers at the front also helps to achieve that elusive fit that’s smooth and gentle on your hair, but won’t slip off your head.
Satin-Blend Silk Underscarf - Mink
The sustainably processed silk-blend satin lining protects textured hair while keeping it moisturized as the ultra-breathable bamboo viscose jersey exterior delivers cutting-edge anti-microbial, odor repelling and moisture wicking properties that will help keep your scalp fresh and cool all day. Hidden between the fabric is a silicone band that lines the front to keep your underscarf comfortably in place.
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!
Bamboo Jersey Scrunchie
Our newest addition is crafted from ultra-soft bamboo jersey 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. Each set includes your favorite neutrals with one Mink, Mushroom & Sienna scrunchie in your choice of the large or small size.
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, and comes with a velveteen pouch for safekeeping.
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 Bamboo Woven. Not only is the light, cotton-like weave breathable on its own, but the bamboo fiber 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 bamboo 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.
Bamboo Woven - Faded Black
The wovens you know and love, but better. We've upgraded them with a sustainably-processed bamboo woven fabric that feels like soft cotton. It features all of bamboo's powerful benefits including built-in sun protection, breathability, anti-bacterial properties and superior moisture wicking for a fresh, comfortable feeling. Available in the Standard size, Faded Black is a lighter, smokier shade of black that will become your new go-to.
The problem: Getting overheated when working hot (and not looking cute!)

Keeping cool is especially important while you’re working out, regardless of what climate you’re in. Plus, many of the other sport hijabs out in the market are overly tight around the face, use fabrics that are too thick to be comfortable, contribute to getting overheated, or they’re just plain … well, not cute.
The solution: Keep your cool while working out.
To make this easier for you, our Sport line is crafted with an innovative textile called S.Café, which utilizes a patented technology derived from used coffee grounds that has been proven in lab tests to lower the skin temperature up to two degrees Celsius. It also dries nearly two times faster, absorbs three times the odors and provides five times the sun protection compared to cotton, making it an all-around excellent choice for hitting the gym, or really anytime you’re dealing with intense heat.
(Some of our HH customers in hotter climates have shared with us that they wear our Tech Sport Wraps as everyday hijabs for this reason!) HH Sport includes four unique designs that you can mix and match to suit your personal style, activity level and what you feel flatters you best.
Criss-Cross Sport Hijab - Smoke
This sleek, feather-light pull-on style stays in place so you can focus on what matters: your performance. Groundbreaking S.Café tech fabric offers incredible cooling, odor-repelling, moisture-wicking and breathability benefits you have to feel to believe. The cross-front design softens the front band to beautifully frame the face, while the banded neck provides a comfortably secure fit. Back ruching accommodates a wide variety of hair volumes without budging.
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 hello@hautehijab.com. We’re here to help and would love to hear from you.
Share this article
Share this article
Subscribe to be the first to know about new product releases, styling ideas and more.
What products are you interested in?