In the region with 4 million Arab women, very few have ventured into the industry of beauty vlogging in a way that would make them publicly known. This is precisely the reason why Mona Tajarbi stands out. Before the beauty lights and makeup tutorials, she hid behind a screen. No face, just a voice, which slowly found an audience, and today it reaches nearly 2 million screens.
Mona Tajarbi, The Hijabi Beauty Influencer Redefining Arab Social Media
Her rise wasn’t loud or flashy. Rather, she developed her presence gradually without betraying her identity as a hijabi woman.
“For us, fame should never come at the cost of culture or religion,” she told Curly Tales in an interview. That principle influenced all her decisions going forward.
Building A Platform Without Transforming Her Identity
The influencer industry was quite different when Mona began to curate content in 2016. Male creators dominated the space, with female beauty trendsetters in conservative communities being the exception. Nevertheless, she continued to advance her talents.
She tested makeup, skincare and lifestyle content. Eventually, she began to build a community that believed in her voice. The name she took is Tajarbi, which translates to ‘experiences’. It was a perfect embodiment of her style.
She was not simply talking about beauty, but telling her lessons about motherhood, family life and personal development. That authenticity is what allowed her to create a community that viewed her not as an influencer but as a big sister giving guidance.
The Dilemma Of Celebrity As A Hijabi Influencer
A successful life came along with new opportunities and hard decisions. Mona had brands that came to her with terms like altering her style, taking off her hijab or dressing in a way that was not in line with her own values. So, she declined each of them.
“If fame means leaving my morals behind, it’s not the kind of fame I want,” she says.
She is a great example for the young creators in the region that you do not need to be an influencer at the stake of losing your identity. Mona demonstrates it every day by conducting tutorials, working with brands, and even holding masterclasses on beauty while remaining true to her culture.
Mona’s Ramadan Makeup Philosophy.
Mona has a different approach to beauty in Ramadan. Light and natural makeup prevails over heavy makeup.
Her top tip? Skip the foundation. She instead suggests a little concealer mixed in places with dark spots. The outcome is so fresh and natural that it suits the long fasting days.
She also recommends some necessities:
- Mascara to brighten the eyes
- Matte finish oil-control gel
- Blusher to put life on the face
- Highlighter for a soft glow
- Oil on the lips to prevent lip drying up during the fasting days
The idea is to design pure and easy-going beauty that can be relaxed in the holy month.
Finding A Balance Between Influencer Life And Family
Although she is gaining more popularity, Mona maintains her family life as a secret. Her kids rarely make online appearances, and her husband does not use any social media. For her, boundaries matter.
The current Ramadan day still centres on family customs such as paying a visit to the homes of sisters to partake in iftar, tea after dinner and spending the night together to conduct prayers.
In between the times, she records tutorials, tries products, and unboxes PR packages that brands sent her.
Busy? Absolutely. But she could not have it otherwise.
Transforming Criticism Into Motivation
Similar to most of the public categories, Mona experienced negative comments at the beginning of her career. At first, the criticism stung. However, as time went by, she got to know how to utilise it in another way.
This is because she now sees criticism as a drive, something that motivates her to continue improving and to prove the naysayers wrong. Her tips to other beginners are very straightforward: one of the things in the business is to learn to grow a thick skin.
Also Read: Dubai’s Best Decorated Ramadan Homes Returns With A Pool Prize Of AED4,00,000!
A Journey That Empowers The Future Generation
Nowadays, Mona Tajarbi’s channel is more than a makeup tutorial. She demonstrates that Arab women, whether hijabi or not, do not need to lose their identity to gain a global following. It is a clear message: Authenticity travels further than trends. And to millions of the audience watching on their phones, that message resonates.
Her case serves as a lesson to future artists to walk ahead with confidence and regularity and stick to their identity. In case you are inspired by her story, you can view the whole video and see Mona Tajarabi sharing her secrets of beauty and personal experiences.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
FAQs
Who is Mona Tajarbi?
Mona Tajarbi is a Middle Eastern beauty and lifestyle influencer known for her modest content and strong cultural values.