Calling all Muslimahs, Othodox Jewish women, Amish women...

[Tomoyo]

Something that came to my mind recently... if you live in a family or community where you cover your hair for religious purposes, what is the attitude toward hair from others? Among those who would see your hair uncovered, does it become more important to "present your hair well" (always freshly washed, styled, attractively cut, etc) because they are the exclusive few who would see your hair on a regular basis, or LESS important because hair is already not seen as a particularly prominent part of the female appearance? Do you ever find conflict with your hair goals and your beliefs?

To me (and, I'm sure, many others), living a large portion of one's daily life with hair hidden from view is a situation I'm unfamiliar and curious about, as it's never been a part of my experience. I hope, therefore, that these questions are not seen as too probing or personal; they come from a place of genuine interest, and not at all with any sense of "pointing and whispering" at something that is different, if that makes sense :p.

(My apologies also for all the religious groups I'm sure I missed from the title; no exclusion intended! If your beliefs or lifestyle involve wearing a head covering, I want to hear from you!)

[Rivanariko]

There was a long running thread on hair covering over on the friendship board, but I haven't seen it pop up lately. I don't cover, personally, but there are a significant group of ladies here who do. I know there was a lot of discussion of why people cover over there.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=21079&highlight=head+covering

[IvanaGil]

I'm going to answer because I just can't resist lol. My husband is Muslim and I converted about two years back. For the first couple of months I wore the hijab (head scarf). Based on my experience and my DH's aunts and cousins who also wear the hijab, I would say that no, I didn't try harder to make my hair more presentable. DH's cousins have walked around in front of me without their scarf (because I am a female) and their hair was just wrapped up in a messy bun. However, if women are going to an all-female event, they would definitely fix their hair to impress the other women.
As for reaching hair goals, most Hijabis don't worry about it too much, seeing as how they don't flaunt it in public anyway, and pretty much at the end of everyday, your hair is so flat, all you want to do is let it down. But from a hair point of view, my hair was actually more protected from the sun and damage, so that's good, right?
I stopped wearing the hijab for a couple of reasons: my dad didn't know anything about it at the time and I was 16 and still living with my parents, and because I have always been so hair obsessed, I didn't feel I was ready to make that kind of commitment to God.
This is my bit of experience for the few months I sporadically wore it.
I hope I helped answer your questions. Feel free to ask me anything.

[winship2]

I used to wear hijab. I liked wearing it and there are lots of beautiful styles; you can do as much with your hijab as with your hair. I stopped because my husband really hated it, though he tried to tolerate it, and because it became a barrier to normal, positive interaction between me and other people. I also dislike the fixation parts of the Muslim community have on it. In my experience, in ordinary life women are relaxed about having less than perfect hair around each other, but there's a strong desire to look nice in front of other women on special occasions. For one thing, if you are unmarried, the women you see on these occasions are the ones who might help match yiu with a future husband. Also, in the traditionally Muslim cultural groups in America now there is an emphasis on "face" and honestly a tendency to gossipiness, so people want to look their best. A more positive spin is that people are encouraged to be respectful of themselves and each other, and part of that is having a pleasant, clean, tidy appearance. Muslims put a lot of ritual emphasis on cleanliness. But part of the ritual washing you do before prayer involves putting water on your hair and your face, so you can't get too fancy or you'll just ruin it when it's time to pray! I would love to keep my hair just for my husband, but that's not the way my ife works, ah well.

[carolinaberry]

I saw an Orthodox Jewish woman at the hospital a couple of weeks ago with a head covering type I'd never seen before. It went across the front of her hair/head, like a normal covering, but at the back, it was like a pouch or bag...it went down to her shoulders, and her hair was tucked into it. Hers was a pretty purple velvety material and I'd like to have something like that for the occasions I want to protect my hair/scalp.

ETA-I found a link in the other thread...it was a snood...I don't know why I thought snoods covered less than that.

[Tisiloves]

I saw an Orthodox Jewish woman at the hospital a couple of weeks ago with a head covering type I'd never seen before. It went across the front of her hair/head, like a normal covering, but at the back, it was like a pouch or bag...it went down to her shoulders, and her hair was tucked into it. Hers was a pretty purple velvety material and I'd like to have something like that for the occasions I want to protect my hair/scalp.

ETA-I found a link in the other thread...it was a snood...I don't know why I thought snoods covered less than that.

The netty/crochet snoods usually only cover from the ears back.

[HintOfMint]

From my interactions with Muslim friends, some of whom wear a hijab, I have found that covering does not mean that a woman puts less emphasis on vanity or appearance. Whether it is other aspects of her style, or her hair itself, the women I knew took the time to make herself stylish, clean, and presentable, even if certain parts of her wouldn't be seen in public. And these were single women, so it's not like they had a husband at home to impress. It seems like it was for them and their own happiness, which I think is a remarkably healthy attitude that I would love to incorporate.

[Vintagecoilylocks]

I am Eastern Orthodox Christian,

I take care of my hair as I do my body for it is a temple for my soul. Not to show off to others but because it is a gift from God. So I care for the gift I have received the best I can. I also enjoy it to its fullest by caring for the gift I was given. I do show my hair on this website because of the sisterhood companion ship of long hair. In Christianity it is not a matter of not letting any one see your hair, it is covered to show honour of headship of who we belong too. Christ gave us this crowning glory yet we do not try to have our hair out shine the Lord during worship and prayer. Not draw attention to our beauty in worship and distract others. Not make our physical beauty priority over our spiritual . A humble reminder of our Lordship in life.
Several ways it can be stated but it is not meant to hide the beauty that we have been given but a priority of it.

Well I don't mean to preach but to simply say that all the Christain woman I know who cover take very special care of their hair and are most likely natural and none cutters.

[onlyforhim]

I don't wear Hijab myself, but a lot of people in my family do. We do take care of our hair a lot. I have to say people who wear Hijab worry less about straightening and styling but when it comes to washing they have to wash all the time. And actually covering their head gives them a better chance to grow their hait longer (it is like putting in benign neglect all the time). People don't focus a lot on hair but when it is a girls' meeting only and I am not talking about just visiting I mean like a special occassion yes all the girls would make sure their hair look its best.

Again I don't wear Hijab but before we pray we do "wodu" which includes putting water on the top of the head (the slishtest wipe of water would do) and we can do that upto to 5 times a day and we are not supposed to appraoch prayer until we are clean.

mm.. but there is a problem about hijab (if you are not using the right material) that you will notice shedding if you have your head covered all the time. that's it