How ‘Halal’ is your Makeup?

What is that one thing you look for as you survey aisle after aisle to find the perfect make up product? Perhaps it’s the colour, the price, the long lasting shine or the stay-on blush that you so badly need to complete your makeup kit. Or maybe it’s about the perfect primer or highlighter to pop those cheekbones. But has this quest ever made you question how halal your product of purchase really is? In midst of stocking up on cosmetics we often forget to take into consideration the contents used to manufacture the products. But stop! Before we go any further, do we know what the term ‘halal certified’ even means?

A term that has been more used than Kylie Cosmetics itself these days, ‘Halal Certified’ really just means that for the products to be certified as halal, they need to ensure that the ingredients used do not consist of alcohol, animal fat or lead. It should also carry a guarantee that it hasn’t been tested on animals. It’s also the most popular fad to hit the market of late.

Muslim women, a massive consumer number, have forever been worrying about lipstick with pig fat, nail varnish that needs to be removed for the wuzu to be done and perfumes that contain a heavy dose of alcohol. Halal Makeup simply targets that market; it’s an industry that’s currently worth between US$5 billion and $14 billion.

IN COMES INGLOT

Last year, Inglot Cosmetic brand, hailed by the late Wojciech Inglo, opened its first concept store in Pakistan next to The Nishat Hotel in Lahore and made heartwarming adjustments towards their product line before launching. With 30 successful years behind the brand, Inglot brought in its forte: a one of its kind O2M – oxygen and moisture – nail products range.

These breathable nail polishes came as the answer to every girl’s dream of being able to pray while wearing her perfect hue. Inglot claimed to have conducted tests which revealed that not only water vapour but even a droplet could permeate a single layer of O2M polish. However, the permeability was affected by wearing more than one layer like, a base coat, top coat, etc.

MAKEUP WITH J.

Now, while our nail care is partially sorted by Inglot, what do we do about the rest of our makeup? Well, for that we try to put our trust in the hands of our Muslim brother-brands. With over 73 outlets across Pakistan and about 18 around the globe, Junaid Jamshed comes across as a quintessential figure (and brand) we say amen to! Boarding up the bandwagon, J. collaborated with Note cosmetics that have its roots in Turkey and production headquarters situated in European countries such as Germany, Czech Republic and Italy.

“All of our products are paraben and lead free. Not a single product been tested on animals. The products are free from animal fats and are produced by using best natural extracts and best oil extracts,” claimed Ali Mufti, creative head of J. as we approached him to spill deeds on the new cosmetics range.

The Note cosmetics launched by J. in 23 stores nationwide currently target three broad categories of face, eyes and lips. It offers a wide range of products that complement the skin tones and preference of Pakistani market, which by the way, isn’t very different from what makeup maestro, Masarrat Misbah endeavours to do.

MASARRAT MISBAH MAKEUP

Masarrat Misbah Makeup claims to be the first Halal Certified makeup brand to be launched in Pakistan. It is easily available at any retail outlet and via her website: www.masarratmakeup.com. And her liquid lipsticks, lash volumizer and silk foundation, perfectly encashes on the very idea of having a halal-certified makeup line.

Speaking to Something Haute, Masarrat Misbah shared, “MM Makeup is on par, not only with international trends but also quality standards. We made this range specifically for the women of Pakistan to have a range that is made for their needs, their skin tones – this is just a beginning and I believe the range ticks all the boxes to take competition on.”

By being particularly conscious of the ingredients used in the makeup, these brands be it international or locally assembled, are providing a chance for women to explore their femininity and play with colours as they please. In the words of Karl Kraus, cosmetics are after all, the science of women’s cosmos. Now isn’t that true?