Product Review: Sukoon Active top and hijab!

Who says you can't be modest and work out?!

Assalaamu alaikum!

Today's review is of Sukoon Active, a start-up brand of work out clothing geared toward Muslim and other modest/covering women! What makes them so different, you ask? Well, their textiles! I chose to back this company on Kickstarter about a year ago when I saw that they were using wool - yes, WOOL - for their work out clothing! Crazy, right?! But they explained in detail how the use of merino wool actually would keep you COOLER than other types of fabric. Merino wool is moisture wicking and lightweight, keeping you cool while your body is running hot! Innovative, right? I thought so too, which is why I backed them - something I've never done other than this once. 

When I first tried it on, I felt itchy, and I had a pang of disappointment. "Of course it itches. It's wool. You've always been allergic to wool." Then I was told to wash it. After that, I was surprised, but it became less itchy! Alhamdulillah! Guess it was those pesky production chemicals afterall. 😉

Now, I've worn the top and hijab twice for a work out - first for some yoga, second was to take pictures for this (ok ok I was going to actually work out but I swear I accidentally got hurt practicing boxing - wrap your wrists, guys!). My first time wearing it, it was actually pretty warm outside, and our gym is in our garage, so no AC or air flow. I had a tank top on under my top and couldn't find my yoga pants so I was in leggings. In other words, it got pretty warm! But it wasn't so warm that I was uncomfortable. Today it was cooler when I went into the gym, and we opened up the doors for airflow. No tank top this time, and sarouel - much better!

note - make sure any sarouel you use for yoga are very mobile or you end up with limited motion and expose your legs some in intense poses

Overall, I'm really loving this top. The hijab itself is super complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it (and keep the hijab looped through the hole) it gets much easier to put on. I will say, don't stick the top in the dryer! Normally things that say to line dry or lay flat to dry, I can stick them in the dryer on low and no problem - not this top! Now it's got weird texture to it. It's not a huge problem, the top didn't shrink (as you'll see in the boxing photo, the top is still plenty long and modest!) but if you want to keep it smooth just make sure you take care of it properly.

I really wish I could have done something more strenuous to test the top and hijab, but alhamdulillah. One day I'll be able to try it out biking or something, but for now I'll stick to my yoga and my walks until my hip strengthens up, we have clear information on what I can and can't do from a geneticist, and I recover from my upcoming back surgery (May Allah ta'ala ash-Shafi help to bring my MRI and consult swiftly and grant me shifa. Ameen!).

So for all of those wondering who they should buy their work-out clothing from, I highly suggest giving Sukoon a try (you can buy their products here). They have the long-sleeve shirt and "classic hijab" which I received, as well as a short-sleeve shirt and turban hijab, and they have a couple color options to choose from. In shaa Allah they will be coming out with more colors and designs. I know that they have ideas for possibly a swim line in the future.

If you got items from Sukoon, let us know below what you think of them!

Jazakum Allahu kheiran for reading!

Sajida.

Because Warrior Three is a hard pose when you haven't done yoga in two years. 

Review: Mahsa's Signature Salon!

Chalkboard wall commemorating the opening of Mahsa's!

Assalaamu alaikum! Today I want to address one of the biggest personal care concerns of covering women - hair cuts!

Alhamdulillah, after I reverted to Islam and I made the decision to dye my hair for the first time, my dear friend Brett introduced me to Mahsa and Sanaz Sadegi, two Persian sisters who have a hair salon in St. Charles, MO! While they aren't hijabis themselves, the sisters' Persian heritage and covering friends and family made them uniquely sympathetic to the needs of women who cover their hair for spiritual reasons, regardless of religion! Bi'ithnillah, these sisters have created an environment where any woman who covers can feel comfortable having their hair done in this salon.

If you come into this salon and you cover your hair (especially if you mention this prior, but it is always available!) you will be placed at one of the furthest stations with this barrier up, protecting you from male gaze. Your stylist will inform you if there are any men coming to the salon for appointments and will ask any men accompanying other customers to please sit in the sitting area and not look over at the hair stations. If you need to move to a washing station or a hair dryer, they will double check if there are any men inside or outside the salon before moving you and can move the partition if requested. There is also talk of converting one of the back rooms into a private salon area to avoid this kind of situation.

(A couple other views of the partition. I'm so short I have to jump into the chair when Sanaz raises it up! lol)

Prayer is also accommodated in the salon. The back area has a bathroom in which one can make wudhu and also has a kitchen area which can double as a prayer area. The sitting area and front of the salon can also be used for prayer if one is comfortable.

Small kitchen where one can pray. 

While you wait you have the option of coffee (Keurig - I highly recommend the French Vanilla!) or a bottle of water. There are magazines to flip through like at most salons. Both sisters are highly skilled at doing both curly and straight hair (great for sisters with curly or natural hair! Most people with straight hair just have no clue how to cut it!). Both they and the other stylists employed are so sweet and they will just chat with you about everything! I love when I come in because Mahsa gets so happy to see me and give salaams. <3 

There is also a make-up station and they offer bridal packages and waxing as well. In shaa Allah, if anyone needs henna I may be doing henna upon request! Check out their website here.

In shaa Allah this review helps sisters. Perhaps they can find a hijabi-friendly salon in their town, encourage an existing salon to include privacy measures for covering women, or even open up their own! Here are a few links to some other hijabi-friendly salons in the US: 

Le'Jemalik Salon and Boutique (Brooklyn)

Muslims Hair Salon (Irvine, CA)

Dina Marie Makeup, LLC (Atlanta)

Other Atlanta Salons (reviews)

Jazakum Allahu kheiran! If you know of a hijabi-friendly salon in your home town, drop a link below and help some sisters out!

Sajida.

Me with Sanaz (left) and Mahsa (right).