Samina Pure Makeup includes items like foundation, blush, eyeshadows and lipsticks, and is initially targeted at the almost 1 million Muslim woman living in Britain. (Photo: jupiterimages)

BIRMINGHAM, England – As a Muslim, Samina Akhter was disturbed to find some of her make-up contained pig by-products so she came up with a solution — a range of halal makeup, free from alcohol and animal products.

Under Islamic law, alcohol and certain meats are forbidden with pork especially taboo so Akhter was shocked to learn some of the products she used contained alcohol and even pig placenta.

So she devised her own make-up line, Samina Pure Makeup, launched from her home in Birmingham in June this year after two years of testing which now boasts to be Britain’s first company to sell halal-certified cosmetics.

“This has been on my conscience,” Akhter, 41, a mother of five, told Reuters Television.

“I realized many (make-up product) do contain ingredients that are not permissible to Muslims to eat and I just started thinking, well if it’s not permissible to eat, then why should I put it on my face?”

The range, which is mainly sold online, includes items like foundation, blush, eyeshadows and lipsticks, priced from about 8 pounds ($12.50) and is initially targeted at the almost 1 million Muslim woman living in Britain.

Mascara is still unavailable as the process of making a halal version is still being studied.

Akhter said in keeping with Islamic law, her makeup is made by manufacturers in Australia and Europe from plant extracts, minerals, essential oils and vitamins.

The cosmetics are certified by the independent Halal Certification Authority Australia.

Akhter said she now has more than 500 customers and interest in the cosmetics has come from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Middle East.

She said the halal range, free of chemicals and animal products, had also proved popular with vegans and vegetarians.

Some Muslim leaders have criticized Akhter for exploiting a religious concept.

But she argues there is demand for halal make-up with about 1.6 billion Muslim worldwide but only a small number of companies offering cosmetics or other bath products that conform to halal standards.

“The reaction I’ve had from women so far has been so positive and encouraging,” said Akhter who is looking to expand beyond Britain and to get her products into pharmacies and stores.

“I really feel that this product has … actually filled a gap in the market. So it’s not a case of trying to cash in. It’s a case of providing people with something they’re looking for.”

(Reporting by Reuters Television, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith)

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The pop sensation has done it. Beyonce Knowles – the fierce Sasha has gone topless for her fashion line, The House of Dereon. She has posed for a series of sensuous images covered in tattoos which for sure are going to take your breath away.

The fashion line which she opened with her mother Tina in the year 2006 has introduced new Autumn/Winter collection, and who else then the zaftig Beyonce to sport the range. She describes the collection as “1960s pin-up girl meets futuristic biker chick.”

Check out the biker babe’s sexy images and go crazy in love.

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Movie: Aisha

If you thought you have left behind the hair-band and other colourful hair accessories in your teenage, chances are you are not tuned in to the latest fashion trends. Colourful hair accessories are back in vogue this season in quite a big way. While American sitcom Gossip Girl started the trend of chic hair accessories in the West, in India the upcoming Rajyashree Ojha-directed Aisha is making waves among fashionistas for its chic designer labels and its funky hair accessories.

“ When we were given the brief about Aisha’s look in the film, we were told to visualise something in the lines of Audrey Hepburn, particularly the way she did up her hair. Besides, internationally, hair accessories are quite huge now,” says Namrata Soni, 29, the hair stylist and make-up person for the movie. Likewise Kapoor’s character in the movie sports cutesy black sequin bow hair bands and silver linked hair piece while Ira Dubey’s character too sports hair-bands and other hair accessories. “We picked up most of the stuff from New York and LA, from stores like Accessorize and the legendary Henri Bendel. Besides, we shopped from Colaba Causeway in Mumbai too,” adds Soni.

Fashion designer Malini Ramani, known for her eclectic fashion sensibility, says it’s a trend from the seventies that’s on its way back. “Traditionally in India, we have always used flowers as hair accessories. I love hair accessories because it enhances the look. I usually use flowers or head gears in my shows and I design hair accessories which are available at my store in Goa,” she says.

Head gear designer Shilpa Chavan, known for her out-of-the-box creations, says that hair accessories are here to stay. “It’s more to do with a particular kind of attitude than with trends. I’ve always been in awe of Indian gods with their huge crowns and I grew up watching Mary Poppins, so my work is a juxtaposition of these influences. I don’t really block hat shapes as it’s something you can buy over the counter. I like to create something unique, which is why I do head pieces,” says the Goa-based Chavan, who trained under well-known British milliner Philip Treacy.

High-end fashion stores like Accessorize, Miss Jo and Forever New are bringing in new styles like meshed bow clips and hair bands with floral prints to their stores in the Capital. “We have neutral colours like blacks and creams that are more suited to formal events. Our range is quite popular with school and college girls. Also our prices are affordable at Rs 300-Rs 600,” said Anjani Ghai of Forever New.

Youngsters seem to love the trend. “I like the vintage feel that head-pieces add to outfits,” says 20-year-old Sachi Gupta, a Delhi University student, flaunting her ecru hair band with faux pearls.

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David Beckham

British footballer David Beckham has reportedly agreed to design a collection of men’s suitings and evening wear for his fashionista wife Victoria’s clothing line.

The former Spice Girl is said to have convinced the English midfielder to create a collection and he is now working on an autumn/winter 2011 series of garment after giving in to months of requests from her, Daily Star reported online.

“Victoria has been trying to persuade him to do it for a while and he’s finally succumbed. She’s reassured him that he has an eye for fashion,” a source said.

The 36-year-old singer-turned-fashion designer is elated with the efforts of David, who plays for the club Los Angeles Galaxy. “David is hoping to produce a range of men’s couture clothing of fitted suits, smart day wear and an evening range – and Victoria thinks it will go down a storm,” the source added.

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