How to Accommodate Muslim Women in Salons

As a beauty professional, it's important to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of your clients, including those who may have specific religious or cultural considerations. Accommodating Muslim women and their religious requirements will diversify your client base and help support your local community. It's important to understand that Muslim women may have specific requirements and to accommodate these preferences, and to communicate with your Muslim clients and ask them about their specific needs and preferences. Make sure to ask about any religious or cultural requirements they may have, and be prepared to make adjustments to your services as needed.

What do you need to consider?

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the word “Halal”. For Muslim women, beauty products must be be Halal, this means they do not contain ingredients derived from blood, pigs, human body parts, predatory animals, reptiles, insects, and alcohol. Halal beauty products also need to be wudu-friendly (i.e. water-permeable) as part of the religious standards. 

Secondly, Muslim women who choose to wear a hijab or headscarf do so as a symbol of their faith and a reminder of their commitment to modesty. Because of the importance of modesty in Muslim culture, it is considered inappropriate for a woman to remove her headscarf in the presence of men who are not related to her. This has a particular effect on treatments that require for the hijab or headscarf to be removed - like hairdressing.

Lastly, while a point of contention among Islamic scholars, Muslim women are encouraged to observe modesty and avoid situations that may compromise their religious and cultural values. This may include avoiding physical contact with men who are not related to them or their spouse. While the exact boundaries of what is considered modest or inappropriate can vary based on cultural practices and individual interpretations of religious texts, it is likely that a Muslim woman coming in for a beauty treatment in the salon will feel uncomfortable for the treatment to be carried out by a male therapist even if the treatment does not require for the headscarf to be removed.

So How can you Accommodate Your Salon?

Stocking Halal Products

The beauty industry is slowly making progress in terms of the availability of Halal beauty products, however, unfortunately, the certification process can take up to two years. So there is still a big disparity between the demand and supply of Halal-certified products. Just remember - Vegan products are not always Halal, in order to be Halal, products must also be alcohol free - an ingredient that is often present in skincare and makeup.

By offering Halal alternatives for beauty products, you can entice Muslim women into beauty treatments - from facial treatments to getting their nails done. Moreover, stocking reputable Halal brands in your salon can greatly increase your retail as Halal beauty products are still far and wide between. Renowned salons like Townhouse are already taking the steps into inclusive beauty - all the polishes and gels in the Townhouse chain are at least 3-free so you don’t need to worry about toxic chemicals, including a breathable Halal-friendly and vegan range.

What are some Halal Certified brands you can introduce into your salon?

Skincare

4.5.6 Skin - a brand that finally addresses the unique skincare needs and physiology of darker skin tones, with all 456 products which are 100% compliant to Halal requirements. 4.5.6 Skin’s formulas are based on the unique functional and physiological differences of phototypes IV, V, and VI. Functional and physiological skin tone differences have been considered from the ground up in the development of the 4.5.6 Skin retail collection, targeting the top concerns of darker skin using insights from 1,000’s of customised formulas from our 4.5.6 community.

Rhug Wild Beauty - Award-winning luxury skincare & body care made with effective organic, natural & wild foraged ingredients from the Rhug Estate in North Wales. With an abundance of natural and organic plants growing all around Rhug, and a recognition that organic and natural ingredients can deliver very positive benefits for the skin, the idea of creating a truly luxurious skincare collection using the finest organic and wild foraged ingredients from the estate was born.

Supplements

Manifesto - Manifesto is a next-generation edible beauty supplement for healthy, glowy skin, strong, swishy hair and healthy nails. Nutritionist-formulated, with the exact right balance of vitamins and minerals, supercharged with mighty natural ingredients like Astaxanthin, Acai berry extract, Inulin and Biotin, and with less sugar than a cherry; all vegan, high fibre, and free of nasties like Titanium Dioxide or artificial colours and flavours.

Hair Gain - Hair Gain capsules have been scientifically formulated to support healthy hair from within. This unique formula combines the clinically-tested AnaGain ingredient with essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. Backed by trichologists, the capsules also support normal collagen formation as well as the health of the skin and nails.

Nails

Nailberry - Pairing breathable, vegan-friendly formulas with a wide spectrum of flattering shades, Nailberry is the go-to nail brand for those who don’t want to compromise on the quality and appearance of their nails all the while being “12-free'“. Even better? You can retail them in salon so client’s can take home their favour shades.

Palette London is the new halal, vegan nail polish brand exploding onto the beauty scene. Palette’s portfolio opens with a rainbow of gel-effect nail colours and nail care. Every glossy nail paint, base coat and an array of top coats with which to personalise your colour, are vegan, cruelty-free, halal and made from a minimum of 70% plant-based ingredients.

Haircare

KEVIN.MURPHY - Kevin Murphy approaches haircare using the same philosophy as skincare, choosing every ingredient according to the highest standards of performance, strength and longevity. Whether you are after the Kevin Murphy signature beach hair look, or a solution to dry and stressed out locks, look no further than this stylish and effective brand.

epres - Created by the inventor of Olaplex, epres is the future of high-performance haircare. Powered by cutting-edge chemistry, the innovative Professional Bond Repair formula and spray-on home Bond Repair Treatment deliver deep, lasting repair for chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage on all hair types and textures.

ByErim is an award winning, luxury haircare brand based and manufactured in the UK - 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainably designed. The best-selling product globally is the Luxury Hair & Beard Oil which contains eight pure oils and close on its heels, the Luxury Hairbrush which initially sold out within 2 minutes of launching during the 2020 Black Friday Sale.

Marketing Halal Treatments

If you offer Halal products and treatments, it’s key to let your potential clients know - both when they’re in your salon, and before they come into your salon. Speaking with Muslim beauty clients, they’ve let us know that the most attention-grabbing method is often having something in the window display to let them know that treatments and products to accommodate them are available - and it can be as short and snappy as “Halal Treatments Available Here”.

Private Spaces / Hijab-Friendly Spaces

For many Muslim women, visiting a beauty salon can be a stressful experience. The lack of privacy and the presence of men in the salon can make them feel uncomfortable and even unwelcome. As a result, many Muslim women choose to avoid salons altogether, which can limit their access to important self-care services. The best way to address this is to create private spaces for Muslim clients - especially for treatments such as hairdressing. These spaces provide a safe and comfortable environment for women to receive services so that they can take off their hijab without being in the presence of men.

Similarly many Muslim women will feel most comfortable being in close proximity and having treatments carried out by members of the same sex; such as nail treatments on the hands and feet and massages.

Accommodating Muslim clients in your beauty salon requires a thoughtful and considerate approach. By communicating with your clients, providing private areas for services, using halal-certified products, and being respectful of cultural and religious beliefs, you can create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of your clients