Ramadan is well and truly underway, and if you’re anything like us, you’re already missing your fave nail polish. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up three of our favourite halal beauty brands so that you can keep calm and carry on enjoying your beauty routines while fasting (and wudhu-ing).
What is halal?
The word “halal” is an Arabic term that translates to “lawful or permitted.” It’s often used in reference to food, but halal can refer to so much more. As writer Zeynab Mohamed puts it:
“For Muslims, halal is not only about ingredients, it’s a way of living. Halal is a loaded term, a religious practice and a daily manifestation of faith. A product may be halal in terms of its ingredients and yet not halal in so many other ways, for example in product messaging, in the application process or the brand’s overall ethos.”
What is halal beauty?
When the term “halal” is partnered with beauty products, it means they’ve been manufactured in line with Islamic principles, from its manufacturing process to its ingredients. Halal formulas don’t test on animals or contain ingredients derived from blood, pigs, human body parts, predatory animals, reptiles, insects or alcohol, but they might include animal products or animal-derived ingredients that have been obtained according to Islamic Shariah law. This means halal beauty products aren’t always necessarily vegan, and vegan beauty products aren’t necessarily halal. Plus, during transport and processing, storage conditions should always be clean and free of “najlis” or filth.
What with Muslim consumers making up over 23% of the global population, it’s no surprise that there’s a burgeoning demand for halal beauty products. According to Meiyume, “The rise of the Muslim millennial is what continues to catapult the success of Halal Beauty. The Nielsen Report states that 66% of consumers will pay more for ethical products. Younger consumers, who are two thirds of the Muslim population, were even more committed, with 73% of millennials willing to pay more. This, alongside the standards of cleanliness, lesser harm to animals, and ethical sourcing, have led to a global appeal for Halal certified cosmetics.”
Interestingly, there’s no universal halal certification process, though the general opinion on what passes as halal is uncontentious. Research Cosmos predicts the halal cosmetic industry will be worth USD 53.81 billion by 2025, and from our own research, we know that consumers are looking for alcohol-free perfumes and nail polishes that allow water to pass through during ablutions.
Three of our favourite halal brands
INIKA Organic
Australian-born INIKA Organic’s formulas are all cruelty-free, vegan and halal, with multiple natural and organic certifications. They offer skincare and makeup staples, from delicious-looking baked bronzers and highlighters to high-performance primers. Our current favourite is the Mineral Baked Blush Duo.
INGLOT
The OG creators of breathable nail polish, INGLOT boasts halal certification for “the majority” of their products. The O2M Breathable Nail Enamels are where it’s at though – they use the same type of polymer as is found within contact lenses, allowing water to pass through the dried pigment and onto the nail. This means you can happily complete your pre-prayer ablutions with a pretty mani (or pedi!) at the same time. You’re welcome.
PHB Ethical Beauty
A family business that gives 20% of profits to charity, this is a favourite of ours during Ramadan. Not only is everything halal-friendly, but it’s all vegan, organic, ethically sourced and palm oil-free. We recommend the Organic Argan Concealer or the delectable shea butter and mango Body Moisturiser.
