Chai and Chocolate: Product Review: Al-Badwi Chain Niqab! (Plus mini-tutorial!)

Picture from @al__badwi Instagram

Assalaamu alaikum!

Today's review is on the gorgeous Manal chain niqab I ordered from Boutique al-Badwi! They are an Etsy store and they also have an Instagram (handle under above picture). Currently their Etsy store is closed while they recover from Hurricane Irma.

I actually ordered this niqab about a month or so ago but I wanted to wait to review it until after Eid so I could provide them (and you!) with good pictures of the product.

As stated in the video, this niqab wasn't my first choice. It was actually my second choice and it became my first after the sister running the company informed me my first choice had been discontinued. Here are pictures of them so you can see their similarities and differences (pictures from the @al__badwi IG page):

Noora - rounded niqab with dangling chains.

Manal - same design as Noora but triangular with no chains.

As you can see, the two pieces are incredibly similar, so when I was informed the Noora had been discontinued, I wasn't too heartbroken about ordering the Manal in silver.

Shipping was INCREDIBLY prompt! I ordered it and about 20 minutes later received an update that my order had shipped. Apparently I caught the owner with my order just prior to her taking the shipments to the mail. Subhan'Allah! It was obviously meant to be!

I received my order very quickly (it shipped on the 11th and I received on the 15th!) and immediately tried it on. The main critique I have is that the chain attachments for the niqab portion of the veil are extremely long. Probably over twice as long as necessary! Luckily I'm handy, so I just shortened the chains with jewelry pliers and was good-to-go! Then it just took me a few days to figure out how to tie the niqab and have it stay in place.

My first test of the chain niqab, trying to have it tied within my jilbab. It kept slipping.

Wore it to Ross because, why not? At least I figured out how to tie it properly...

After the third time or so, I figured out how to tie it and keep it in place well. I then adjusted the clasp so the chain portion was snug. Below is the picture tutorial for how to put on this style of chain niqab:

Tie ribbon above bun.

Take chain and secure above bun.

Untie ribbon and re-secure below bun.

Chain niqab can be worn with or without a cloth niqab underneath. For testing purposes and for Eid I did not wear a niqab under it. I have been receiving some criticism due to this, but I do not follow strict niqab (for more information on why I wear niqab, please read this post.) So I feel perfectly comfortable with using just the chain niqab as it still obscures the face.

I noted part of why I wore the niqab around without cloth niqab was for testing purposes - the seller and I were unsure if the materials used were nickel free, or at least nickel free enough for those with allergies. The silver is made from zinc alloy. I have a pretty severe nickel allergy (by way of nickel allergies, at least) - I will break out into hives/rash wherever it touches my skin, and this happens very quickly. Alhamdulillah I did not get hives from wearing this chain niqab at all, so it should be safe for those with nickel allergies. The gold is gold plated.

This piece is absolutely gorgeous and in shaa Allah I will be ordering (in the future!) one of the more expensive (but even more ornate and beautiful) pieces from Boutique al-Badwi! For their Etsy, please go here. I'm unsure when they will reopen, but keep an eye on their Instagram (that's @al__badwi with TWO underscores!) to find out.

Unfortunately my Eid al-Adha was really rough but alhamdulillah I really absolutely loved my outfits, in large part due to this gorgeous piece, and that helped at least a little bit!