Blogger Cheryl Raissa Stays Stylish With Hijab Fashion
In fashion shows, hijabs look effortlessly chic and fashionable. But most of us who wear them from day to day know that it's not an easy thing to choose a comfortable head-covering and style it according to our outfit of the day.
Some head-scarves are great for special evening occasions. And some would be a blessing for a long, hot day in the open. But it definitely takes a lot of knowledge and experience to know which is which and match it nicely with the rest of our outfit. It also takes a lot of attempts to create a dozen different looks from just one scarf.
But don't worry. There are now a number of hijabists that provide tutorials on the internet for free. Their blogs and videos usually offer easy-to-follow, step-by-step guides to creating hijab looks that would complement your physique and personality.
One of them is Cheryl Raissa Alfaruqi. The final-year student at the psychology department of the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) has been blogging and youtubing hijab and make-up tutorials since 2010.
Today, her blog cheryl-raissa.blogspot.com has more than 900,000 followers. And her youtube channel chereal93 is subscribed by more than 8,000 people.
Google has recently partnered with the 21-year-old blogger and youtuber to present hijab and make-up tutorials for the 'Google Now' app.
After the press conference, The Jakarta Globe sat with Cheryl and discovered her passion for blogging and youtubing, as well as her commitment to share her skills, knowledge and experience with many young women out there.
Q: How did you start blogging and youtubing in the first place?
A: I've always loved to write. I started with writing hijab and make-up tutorials on Facebook. Many of my friends liked them. They then encouraged me to start a blog specially on the subject. After a while, I realized that these tutorials would be better on videos. So, I started youtubing the tutorials in 2011.
Who films the videos? Do you use special equipments to shoot them?
I do it all myself - from filming to editing. I took the videos with a Nikon digicam. I still do. Back then, I didn't have any tripods, so I stack up boxes on top of one another, put the camera on top and shoot myself. As for editing, I learned it all from Google. I started from the very basics and got better as I learned more.
Have you gotten any mean comments on your posts?
Oh yes, definitely. Many bloggers and youtubers feel down when they get mean comments. I did too. But then, I realized that there are more positive comments than mean ones. For example, a subscriber once emailed me that she had decided to wear hijab after seeing my videos. Then, I knew that I was doing a good thing (by blogging and youtubing).
How often do you update your contents?
I update my blog about once a week and my youtube (channel) about twice a month.
Most of your contents are about fashionable hijabs and make-up. What do you say to critics that say women wearing hijab shouldn't beautify themselves?
There's a verse in Koran that Allah loves beauty. So, in my opinion, women with hijab are allowed to beautify ourselves.
Some people criticize women that wear hijabs, while still revealing their feminine curves with tight clothings. What do you think?
I think it should be a learning experience for the beholders. Not all women that wear hijabs are good, and vice versa. And if (the critics) see something that's not good (in their opinion), they shouldn't just comment. On the contrary, they should learn from it and do better themselves.
When did you decide to wear hijab?
On the third grade of elementary school. I came from a very religious family. In my mind, all women wear hijab when they grow up. So, one day, I decided to wear hijab, just like that.
Wow. You have been wearing hijab from a very young age. Do you have any regrets?
On the contrary, I feel safer growing up with a hijab. And now, hijab has become part of my identity. There are many Cheryls in the university. But all my friends know me as the 'Cheryl that wear hijab'. So, it's become a very positive identity for me.
What would you say to a lot of women out there that want to wear hijabs, but are still hesitant?
Hmmm.. Some women say that they would better themselves first, and then, they would wear a hijab. But I'd say, we never know how long we'll live. So, why don't you start (wearing hijab) now?
Who has inspired you a lot in life?
My mom. She's a very independent woman. She's a wife and mom, but she's also a lecturer at UIN. She always tells me that women should be independent and able to earn their own living.
What do you want to be in life?
A beautypreneur. I want to have my own make-up brand and probably write books.
Are you writing one now?
(Smile). Hopefully, I'll launch one next year.
What is it about?
A make-up tutorial for women with hijab.
Could you give us one simple make-up tip?
The most important make-up for women is confidence. No matter how good your make-up is, if you're not confident with it, it'll show through.
And how do we cultivate self-confidence?
Confidence comes from within you. If you love yourself, if you're comfortable with who you are, you'll definitely feel confident and it will shine through.
What would you say to those that want to start their own blogs or youtube channels, but don't know where or how to start?
You don't need to have any sophisticated gadgets or special skills. Just do it. Start with what you have and what you can. And don't ever think that you don't have anything to share. There must be something in your life that you can share with others. It may be a very simple thing, like make-up or hijab tutorials, but it turns out there are many people out there that need it and feel blessed with it.
The Peak
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