Nu Look Salon & Boutique promotes interfaith understanding through makeup and fashion

By Mahvish Irfan
TMO Contributing Writer

Different cultures around the world all bear their distinctive markers. While one culture may be known for their love of opulence another may be known for their love of simplicity. Yet, no matter how contrasting lifestyles, traditions, and languages are from country to country, there are a few things that everyone unanimously appreciates. Beauty is one of those things. Amber Ahmad, Founder and Owner of Nu Look Salon & Boutique, uses this universality to foster dialogue and friendship with her non-Muslim clientele and ultimately manifest Islam as a peaceful, open-minded way of life.

Located in Colonia, N.J. and operating with great success for over 12 years, Ahmad told The Muslim Observer, “I love my business. I travel the world to learn about various concepts of beauty and manufacture clothes and other fashion items that attractively fuses eastern and western cultures.

“I’ll often put an Islamic spin on many of my products and services to create conversation and hopefully friendship with my diverse clientele. In what I sell and how I sell, I try to show Islam in a positive light. Nu Look Salon & Boutique is a place for women from every walk of life to meet and embrace one another over their love of beauty. After all, what woman doesn’t love beauty? And why not use this to promote humanity in Islam?”

As a Pakistani-American Muslim woman, Amber says that she cherishes all aspects of her identity. At her salon, she tastefully reflects this through her diverse décor, products and services. Dholki, churiya and mehndi are lined up in colorful rows, modest but trendy skirts and blouses are racked neatly side by side, modern American magazines and furniture are elegantly placed, and a small prayer area with a Quran and prayer mat is set up in the back.

Although most of her clients are non-Muslim, Amber states many of them have become familiar with important Islamic practices like prayer, the call the prayer and fasting during Ramadan because of how openly implemented they are in her salon.

“The more people are exposed to cultures that are foreign to them, the less afraid of it they will be because they realize it is harmless,” affirms Madiha Irfan, Manager of Nu Look Salon & Boutique. “Aside from overtly showing different cultures and Islam to our clients, we try to show them through something that is relatable to them. Like hijabs that can be worn as scarves, for example, or beautiful jewelry that maybe has some Arabic script on it. When these women see Islam like this, they become more accepting of diversity. We’ve made many lifelong friends this way and changed many peoples thoughts about our faith.”

Lydia Marino, a businesswoman and ten year Nu Look Salon & Boutique client, is one of countless women that has seen Islam through a new light thanks to Amber’s business style. She confesses, “Had it not been for this salon I don’t know if I ever would have made such good Muslim friends, learned that hijab symbolizes piety to one God, not oppression, or tried out something unique like henna.

Everything here is so fashionable too! I’ve bought so much unique jewelry from all around the world and learned about different interpretations of beauty by talking to Amber! It makes me realize us women are more similar than different.”

Probably the most raved about services Amber offers at Nu Look Salon & Boutique is South Asian bridal makeup and hair. Pictures of her stunning brides are hung proudly on one side of the wall and she states that receives several bridal parties per week, most of who are of Pakistani origin.

“No matter what faith you belong to, every woman loves to partake in weddings and see makeup transformations. That’s why, when I’m done getting my bride ready, I’ll invite a number of clients to see my bride if she gives me permission. When they lay eyes on her they’re shocked by how gorgeous she looks, even if she might be wearing the veil, but more importantly realize how something different can still be something wonderful.”

After viewing one of her brides, she happily exclaims, “My clients buzz about it for weeks! They’ll even come in to get similar makeup done by me for their parties. I use this as an opportunity to talk to them about Islamic nikkah and marriage and they slowly begin to see the beauty in Islam and question the media’s depiction of it. This is my sort of dawah.”

A large curtain divides the salon is half but is only used for hijabi clients, including brides. “They receive equal service like all my other clients but their modesty is guarded,” Amber explains. “People will ask, ‘What’s behind the curtain?’ and I will explain that it’s nothing more than an extension of the salon for hijabis. Then they realize that Muslim women are into fashion and upkeep like any other woman but are just more private. This is how they begin to relate.”

Today, Nu Look Salon & Boutique continues to dispel Islamophobia by demonstrating how beauty and faith can coexist. Between working, travelling, and vending all over the world, Amber Ahmad has reached out to tens of thousands of people and changed a number of people’s negative perception about Islam. Her expert work and charismatic personality has met rave reviews from women everywhere and she plans to continue spreading peace and friendship one makeup transformation at a time. To learn more, please visit facebook.com/nulooksalon and yournulook.com/.

Editor’s note: Mahvish Irfan is a writer and recent graduate of Rutgers University, where she studied Religion, English and Professional Writing. Follow her on Twitter @MahvishMI.