Is it permissible for a Muslim woman who wishes to adorn herself for her husband and style her hair with a blow-dryer or flat iron to place a cloth on her head and wipe over it, or to wipe over the beginning of her hairline, instead of wiping her entire head with water, so as not to damage her hair?

A woman is not permitted to wipe over a head covering (khirqa) during ablution (wudu’). However, she is allowed to wipe over a headscarf (khimar) if it is wrapped under her chin and she put it on while in a state of complete purity. It is also permissible to wipe over only part of the head. As for ritual bathing (ghusl (definition)), it is obligatory to wash the head, and wiping over the khimar is not sufficient.