Halal Nail Polish. Modest Fashion traditions have been steadily spreading through social media. People from the world over have become increasingly aware of the fashion needs of Muslim women. We see more and more brands and labels catering specifically to their needs in the past few years.
For instance, several Muslim designers have gained popularity in the world of fashion. Their Modest collections garnered praise and recognition at high-profile fashion events like the New York Fashion Week. Similarly, while there weren’t any proper hijab stores a few years ago, now we see quite a few of them in the market. We find this inclusion yet again when it comes to nail polish. Muslim women generally tend to avoid nail art because it causes nail beds to become impermeable. The wudu or ablution is a purification ritual that requires every inch of your arms to be wet, among other things. And to be able to pray five times a day, it is crucial. Since nail paint hinders that, praying women choose not to apply it.
Top ‘Halal’ Nail Polish Brands
It should be mentioned here that women are not allowed to pray during menstruation, and during that time, most women want to apply nail polish. So thinking that Muslim women can never use nail polish would be wrong. It seems that they no longer have to worry about that as some brands have come up with what they call ‘halal’ or ‘breathable’ nail polish. Before we dive into these brands, let us first look at the meaning of ‘halal’ nail polish.
What is Halal Nail Polish?
There can be two kinds of Halal Nail Polish, depending on the fact that they both let you do wudu properly.
First, and this is the more popular one, is the water-permeable nail polish, which is also called breathable nail polish. The brands that supply this kind of nail polish claim that water and oxygen permeate through the layers of paint and so you will have absolutely no trouble doing ablution.
The second kind is the one you can peel off whenever you wish. All you have to do is let it dry, and then you can scratch some of it off and peel the rest.
How Is Halal Nail Polish Tested?
A nail polish film sample is placed inside a diffusion chamber, which separates the top half of the chamber from the bottom. Oxygen then flows into the top half of the chamber, and oxygen-free carrier gas (i.e., nitrogen) flows into the bottom on the other side of the film. Once the oxygen permeates the nail polish film, we know the polish is breathable. The experiment is carried out according to ASTM D 3985 and ISO 15105-2 standards. These exacting standards have far greater technical relevance than the coffee filter paper test, which is a highly inaccurate representation of the chemical reaction.
In the coffee filter paper test, two filter papers are placed on top of one another while the top is bearing a smudge of the dried nail polish being tested. A droplet of water is rubbed on that smudge. If it penetrates the filter paper beneath, the nail polish is considered permeable. For some awesome nail art ideas, head on over to our earlier post about Winter Nail Art.
↓ Is Halal Nail Polish ‘Halal’?
This question is for the first kind only as the water-permeability of the nail polish comes into question. The beauty and cosmetic brands that provide it have shown all different types of videos and scientific theories ‘proving’ that it does permeate.
However, for people, this is not as easily believable as one might want it to be. Official fatwas regarding the matter state that if the nail polish doesn’t create a separate layer on the nail bed, is simply a dye or a color, then it’s okay to use it. However, if it creates a separate layer, then it is covering the surface of the nail even if it is ‘breathable.’ On the other hand, breathable nail polishes claim that they let water and oxygen ‘pass.’ If it is only moisture, wudu won’t be correct, because one of the conditions of the validity of wudu is that water should be able to flow over body parts brand being washed. If they are merely wiped, wudu would not be valid. It is not permissible to deliberately omit even the smallest part of the limb and not let the water reach it.
Suffice it to say, while calling it ‘Halal’ or ‘Islamic’ might sell it more, it’s Halal in name only. Moreover, beauty bloggers on Youtube have tested and researched this phenomenon. In their reviews, they agree with the fact that while the nail polishes may be created with ‘halal ingredients’ they’re not wudu permissible nail polishes. Interested in discovering new and trending Nail Polishes? Do give a read to these 70 Best Matte Nail Polish and Nail Colors to Buy this Year.
↓ Health and Environmental Benefits of ‘Breathable’ Nail Polish
These are the benefits of breathable nail polish, according to Kester Black:
- Nails are kept healthy due to the natural oils that keep them hydrated. Regular nail polish blocks these oils and thus weakens the nails. With breathable nail polish, the oils can move freely to the nail bed. Your nails stay hydrated but don’t become overly soft or weak.
- It ensures durable manicure.
- It’s applied much more easily and quickly, and there is no need for base coats.
- It dries faster.
- Breathable nail polishes are less toxic. While no nail polish can ever be entirely free of chemicals, these are 10-Free™. They don’t have toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates or animal-derived or tested ingredients.
Bearing in mind the nature of these polishes, here are the names of brands currently selling them.
How did we decide
About 15+ brands are selling halal nail polish currently. We’ve selected 12 with the most Instagram followers.
12- LYN
11- Karma
10- Vivre Breathe
9- Nailberry
8- Tuesday in Love
7- MAYA Cosmetics
6- 786 Cosmetics
5- Zahara
4- Kester Black
3- LACC
2- Orly
1- Inglot
↓ 12 – LYN
Live Your Now or LYN has been in the professional nail industry for the past 13 years. The Live Your Now team has worked closely with an expert formulator based in France to create a revolutionary high definition nail lacquer. These lacquers have been formulated with pigments that reveal their pure brightness and vividness for ultimate wear. They offer a dizzying array of shades and collections, including one for parties and another for vegans. The brand has also recently expanded into Halal-friendly options with their Love Your Nails Ch2olor Complex line.
LYN breathable nail polishes are $14 on Amazon.
Instagram Followers: 7k
↓ 12- Karma
Karma Organic Spa was founded by Nasil Zaheer in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He designed the spa with natural, non-toxic, and recycled materials. He follows the same philosophy in all of his products, including nail polishes.
Karma’s Halal Nail Polishes are $13.99. They come in about 30 different shades.
Instagram Followers: 12k
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↓ 10 – Vivre Breathe
VIVRE Cosmetics is an up and coming luxury makeup brand. Made in the US, the brand’s cosmetics are 10-free (Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Camphor, TPHP, Paraben, Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide, and Lead), cruelty-free, paraben-free, halal and mineral-based. Most of their products are also vegan, organic, and non-GMO (genetically modified organisms).
The brand has top-notch packaging, and the collection names are quirky like ‘Nudes? I Sent Him My Nails’, ‘My Love And Her Laugh,’ ‘Macaron Mania,’ ‘Fetch My Bentley.’
Vivre Breathable nail polishes are $12.99.
Instagram Followers: 12.4k
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↓ 9 – Nailberry
Nailberry was founded in 2012 by Sonia Hully. The brand started life as a luxury Nail Bar based in Chelsea London and swiftly transitioned into a range of multi-award-winning premium polishes. The brand’s award-winning L’Oxygene range has been developed to deliver a healthier manicure with no compromise. Every color-rich shade is formulated to be 12 free, vegan and gluten-free, cruelty-free, breathable/oxygenated, and ‘moisture’ permeable. The nail polishes are certified Halal, award-winning, with no compromise on color, have long wear and high shine, have high impact color. They are also designed to evoke a feeling of inner peace and to calm the spirit.
Nailberry’s breathable shades are $17.92
Instagram Followers: 12.7k
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↓ 8 – Tuesday In Love
The story behind the brand’s name is a sweet and inspiring one. The owner of the company was jobless, and while working on his resume one night, he remembered how once he and his wife had walked past a shop. She had wanted some nail polishes, but they couldn’t afford them, so she let it go. He started researching Halal nail polish then and turned his kitchen into a lab for the next couple of days. When finally he succeeded with his formula for the nail polish, he presented it to his wife, it was Tuesday, and that’s how the brand got its name.
Tuesday in Love is Halal Certified Water Permeable, Cruelty-Free & Child labor free.
Tuesday in Love’s Halal Nail Polish shades are for $14.06.
Instagram Followers: 16.4k
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↓ 7 – MAYA
All of MAYA products are animal-free and vegan, physician-approved, breathable, and 100% Halal & Wudu (Ablution) Friendly. Their site has a special ‘Wudu/Ablution Directions’ section which states:
- Apply one layer of MAYA nail polish and a layer of MAYA top coat, as you would with any other nail polish.
- Let dry.
- Each time you perform wudu, run nails under water and then rub gently for ten seconds
MAYA water-permeable nail polishes are $13.99.
Instagram Followers: 16.7k
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↓ 6 – 786 Cosmetics
786 nail polish is manufactured & produced in the United States. 786 has also been tested & verified as 100% Halal & Wudu Friendly by Kalamazoo Islamic Center (KIC). Their nail polishes are vegan and 9-free. The limited-edition colors and names for the line are inspired by and pay tribute to, Muslim cities around the world.
786 Cosmetics’ halal shades are $12.95.
Instagram Followers: 32.8k
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↓ 5 – Zahara
Zahara is a French nail polish brand. They produce water-permeable/breathable/oxygen nail polishes. On their ‘Water Permeable Nail Polish’ page, they clarify that the nail polishes are halal because there isn’t a haram ingredient in them.
Furthermore, they are halal-certified. For water-permeability, the brand recommends using a single coat, rubbing your nails, and washing for a good while to be sure. Zahara Oxygen nail polishes are 7-free, that is, free from seven of the most commonly used chemicals in nail polishes. They are also vegan and cruelty-free. Zahara nail polishes are highly-pigmented and lush in color. If you want to get completely halal makeup in your vanity, do check out our List Of All Halal Makeup Brands In The World (Certified).
Zahara Nail Polishes are $13.04.
Instagram Followers: 48.8k
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↓ 4 – Kester Black
Kester Black is an Australian beauty brand. It was founded in 2014 by Anna Ross. Their products are vegan, oil-free, and cruelty-free. The brand is run on ethical standards and is environmentally conscious. Their packaging and recycling methods aim to reduce their environmental footprint. Their nail polishes are all Australian-made and Carbon-free. Kester Black was one of the first nail polish companies in the world to create a water-based nail polish remover. They’ve also switched their entire range of polishes over to a new water permeable, breathable 10-Free™ formula.
Kester Black nail polishes are $20.
Instagram Followers: 54.3k
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↓ 3 – LACC
La Couleur Couture or LACC is a luxury, eco-friendly, and affordable brand founded by Farima Hakkak in 2009. LACC nail lacquers are 12 toxin-free, breathable & halal, gluten-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free and vegan. LACC formulates its products without formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, phthalates, MeHQ /HQ, MIT, parabens, fragrances, and animal ingredients. The brand is headquartered in Vancouver and manufactured in New York. Their collections are fashion-forward, classy, and edgy. They provide a vast range of highly pigmented, high-shine hues that are fast drying and have couture quality long-lasting power.
LACC nail polishes are $12.99.
Instagram Followers: 74.2k
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↓ 2 – ORLY
In 1975, Jeff Pink created a nail style that could be worn by actresses from scene to scene with low maintenance. It was the original French manicure, and the popular style grew into a nail polish company, which continues to be owned by Pink’s family today. All polish options boast breathable color that prevents chipping and peeling. What’s more: their formulas are infused with argan oil, pro-vitamin B5, and vitamin C, while also being 13-free. Family-owned since 1975, ORLY products are made at their HQ in Los Angeles, CA.
ORLY nail polishes are $9.99.
Instagram Followers: 284k
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↓ 1 – Inglot
Inglot was one of the first cosmetic companies to create a porous polish with its line of O2M Breathable Nail Enamel back in 2013. Company transparency is at the forefront of Inglot’s business model, with over 95% of its products made in-house in its facilities to ensure quality ingredients and fair prices. Inglot has become a favorite of industry professionals, and with good reason: its product lasts for ages, comes in a multitude of shades and textures, and dries quickly. The brand is spread out across six continents in over 800 locations from London’s Oxford Street, Piazza del Duomo in Milan, Times Square in New York to Grand Canal Shoppes in Las Vegas.
Inglot’s halal shades are $19.99.
Instagram Followers: 545k
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Other Brands:
Some other less famous halal nail polish brands are:
- Three Beauties
- Amara
- Talyah London
- LENA
- Zimah
- Vivien Kondor London
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