Cape Town woman creates faith-friendly beauty solution
When Unaiza Suliman looked in the mirror a few years ago, she noticed something that didn’t sit right with her.
It was not how she looked, but what her reflection represented — a Muslim woman who, like many others, wanted to feel groomed and confident without crossing the lines of her faith.
“Many of us were torn between our beliefs and our love for beauty,” she said.
“Traditional brow grooming like plucking or threading raised too many questions.
“Some women avoided it completely, others did it quietly and felt uneasy.
“I wanted to change that.”
That realisation became the starting point for Halaal Brows, a treatment Suliman created to bridge the gap between faith and modern beauty.
Her method doesn’t remove or reshape hair. Instead, it lightens the brow gently, creating a softer, tidier look that stays true to Islamic teachings.
“We do not pluck, reshape, or alter what Allah has given us,” she said.
“We just soften and refine what’s already there.”
It took her years to bring the idea to life.
“This wasn’t something that happened overnight,” she said.
“It took research, testing and consultation before I was ready to launch.”
She began with a global platform, halaalbrows.com, to introduce the concept internationally.
Then, in 2025, she launched in SA — a milestone she describes as “the moment it all became real”.
Before taking that step, Suliman consulted Islamic scholars and community leaders.
“Credibility and trust mattered from the start,” she said.
“I asked for guidance to ensure the method was faith-aligned. Because it doesn’t involve removal or reshaping, only lightening, it was confirmed as permissible.”
That endorsement gave her confidence to move forward.
Suliman trained internationally in cosmetic techniques, but she reshaped everything she learned to create something original.
“Bleaching existed, but not in a way that worked for faith-conscious women,” she said.
“I redesigned the process, focusing on safety and sensitivity.”
The products she uses are dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic, and every client undergoes a patch test first.
“Our clients trust us with their faces,” she said.
“That’s a serious responsibility.”
The results last about four to six weeks, depending on the person’s hair growth cycle, and most clients now make it part of their monthly routine.
The feedback from women in SA, Suliman said, has been powerful.
“The response has been incredible.
“Women say it feels freeing — that they can walk into a salon without hesitation or guilt.”
Some clients have told her the treatment has changed how they feel at work or at family gatherings.
“They say they look presentable and professional but still feel comfortable in their faith.
“That’s a big deal.”
With demand growing, Suliman is now planning to expand.
“We’re developing a Halaal Brows Training Academy to certify practitioners across South Africa,” she said.
Franchising and more dedicated studios are also on the horizon.
“The goal is to make this accessible everywhere while keeping the quality and respect for faith consistent,” she says.
Though Halaal Brows was created with Muslim women in mind, Suliman believes its appeal reaches further.
“Women everywhere want gentle, safe, and non-invasive beauty treatments,” she said.
“That’s what excites me — seeing something born in South Africa attract international attention.”
IOL News