It's always been hard trying to find the right pieces that go together, but it's always been something that interests me - finding new ways to be fashionable and cute but still being modest.
— Halima Aden
There are so many Muslim women that feel like they don't fit society's standard of beauty. I just wanted to tell them it's OK to be different; being different is beautiful, too.
Always stay true to who you are - barriers can and will be broken!
I feel like with anything you choose to do in this world, there are always gonna be people who disagree. But I've had a lot more supporters than critics.
Product-wise, I use a morning and night cleanser. I'm really not a brand person.
My mom and grandma, growing up, one thing they emphasized was that you need to make sure that anything you put on your skin is also digestible by the body. For example, if something isn't safe for me to eat or consume, it's probably not good for your face. So I do a lot of natural remedies.
I have much more to offer than my physical appearance, and a hijab protects me against 'You're too skinny,' 'You're too thick,' 'Look at her hips,' 'Look at her thigh gap.' I don't have to worry about that.
When people put labels on us, it doesn't always enclose everything that we are. So even though I'm proud to be Somali, I'm proud to be American, at the end of the day, I'm still Halima, and I take things from both sides and combine them, and I make my own little category. I'm me!
A lot of people will look at you and will fail to see your beauty because you're covered up and they're not used to it. So growing up, I just had to work on my people skills and give people a chance to really know me besides the clothing.
I feel bad for my little cousins who don't see themselves being represented, or the little girls in my community who won't have a chance to see a Disney princess... who resembles them.
You don't let being the first to do it stop you or get in the way.
When I was younger, I didn't have that type of person that I could look up to and be like, 'OK, this is someone who dresses like me and I relate to.' I didn't have that growing up, so to give that opportunity to a younger generation of women - and not just Somali women, but anyone who feels different - that means a lot to me.
For me, being able to say that my first-ever photo shoot was with one of the most well-known and iconic fashion photographers in the world is unbelievable.
A lot of people have the misconception that, as a Muslim woman, I am somehow against women wearing bikinis. No, I want women to feel comfortable and confident in whatever they wear.
I say this all the time, but my hijab, it really is my crown, and it's something that I bring to the table. It's something that makes me unique. It shows the world who I truly am.
Moisturizing every night is important. When you're 50 or 60, it's going to show if you don't take care of it. You have to prepare when you're young, so you still have that healthy, glowing skin when you're 60 or 70.
My favorite part of modeling is backstage. Every day you work with different people, and as much as people learn about my story, I get to learn about theirs.
Every little girl looks up to her mom so much - that's your first hero.
I feel like I'm here to bust those misconceptions and stereotypes of Muslim women.
When you have a lot of women in our state that do wear the hijab, we should be able to see that everywhere.
I did notice growing up that there are so many things, obstacles and things, that people think you can't do because you're Muslim or because you're wearing a hijab. You hear a lot of no's. That was something that I wanted to see change.
The hijab is a symbol that we wear on our heads, but I want people to know that it is my choice. I'm doing it because I want to do it. I wanted people to see that you could still be really cute and modest at the same time.
If there's one message I want people to take away is never compromise being your authentic self. Even if that means making others uncomfortable.
My goal is to send a message to Muslim women and young women everywhere that it's okay to break stereotypes and be yourself.
I choose to focus on the positive.
Being Somali, being Muslim, it's always something I've been very proud of.
Skin care is so much more important than makeup. Makeup is for when you're having fun and going out. But your skin is forever.
Society puts so much pressure on girls to look a certain way.
If you think people are against you and that you're a target, things will start appearing that way. I just go about my day, and I don't think anyone is out to get me.
Be who you are. It's easy to feel like you have to blend in, but it takes courage to live your life with conviction and embrace the person that you are.
I haven't received any pressure to be anything other than myself, and for that, I am so grateful.
I am Minnesotan.
