Halal beauty guide: The makeup and cosmetic brands you need to know about

Being halal doesn't mean you have to compromise on pigment, quality or shade selection, because halal beauty products are damn good.

Muslim women (and men) have been ingredient conscious for years, to ensure the makeup products they're wearing are permissible under Islamic law and can be worn for wuḍū – and brands are starting to match consumer demand with high quality, halal beauty products.

In fact, some of the industry's top beauty brands were founded by Muslim women. Case and point: Huda Beauty.

Below, you'll find everything you've ever wanted to know about halal makeup and beauty products, plus, we asked Muslim women about the brands you need to know (if you haven't discovered them already).

Do halal beauty products have certification?

Not all halal beauty products have certification or a symbol on the packaging. Especially if they've chosen to be labelled as 'organic' or 'natural' instead. Although not the same as halal, they usually avoid similar ingredients.

If they do have a symbol, it's often in a circle or the shape of a rub el hizb, with the word 'halal' clearly labelled.

Most countries have their own halal certification, which is why they may appear slightly different depending on where the product is made.

What ingredients should be avoided if a product isn't clearly labelled as 'halal'?

If you're unsure if a beauty product is halal, these are the 'red flag' ingredients to look out for:

• Keratin: Mostly found in haircare products, keratin is a natural protein often derived from animals.

• Carmine: You may have heard of crushed beetles being used in lipsticks before, and well, the rumours are true. It's called 'carmine'.

• Oleic acid: Found in various cosmetic creams, soaps and paste, oleic acid is a cleansing agent and texture enhancer. It's made from fatty acid often derived from animals.

• Lanolin alcohol: A non-drying compound that helps protect the skin from moisture loss. It's often produced from the fat of wool shearings.

• Gelatin: Gelatin is made by boiling the skin, cartilage, and bones of animals, including pork skin, horns and cattle bones.

Is breathable nail polish acceptable for wuḍū?

The idea behind 'breathable' nail polish is that it's 'water permeable', meaning that the cleansing ritual before wuḍū can be completed without having to remove your nail polish.