Last year, the global halal cosmetics market reached a value of US$ 70 Billion, and several experts, including IMARC, a marketing research company, have stated that it will "exhibit moderate growth during the next five years." That's a staggering amount, but it is to be expected. Why? Because not only is it not just a sudden health craze or trend, but it is also filling up a void that has long been in demand in the industry.

When you hear the word "halal," the first thing that may come into your mind is the religion, Islam. This is because they have used this term to define things that are permissible for them to use and consume. But, nowadays, it has gone above and beyond the religious term and has been used to describe various productsーmost notably would be halal makeup.

What constitutes halal makeup? 

Halal makeup pertains to beauty products that are manufactured, produced, and composed of ingredients that are permissible under Islamic Sharia law. These do not contain any derivatives for ingredients that are derived from animals slaughtered in a non-halal way or any of the following: 

• It must not contain any parts of forbidden animals such as pigs and dogs. This means that ingredients such as lard, gelatin, collagen, and more should not be included.
• It must not contain any ingredient that would cause harm to the consumer, such as mercury, lead, or hydroquinone.
• It must not contain any human parts or ingredients derived from the human body, which means that it doesn't use human stem cells.
• It must not contain anything that is described as "najis" or defined as filth. This includes blood, carrion, fluids, or objects discharged from humans' or animals' bodies, among others.
• It must not contain any form of alcohol.
• It must be free from contamination during its preparation, processing, manufacturing, and storage.

The Benefits of Halal Makeup 

1) It's Carmine-Free

 Lipstick is an essential part of every makeup routine. It comes in a vast range of colors, from the nudes to the pastels and all the way to the reds. Red lipsticks are an absolute must for many beauty gurus. But, did you know that a lot of them contain dead bugs? That's right. Your red lipsticks most probably contain something called "carmine." This is a red pigment extracted from the female insect called cochineal (also known as a beetle). The insect is boiled, sun-dried, and crushed to generate the red hue. So, if this is something that makes you feel uneasy or if it is simply prohibited from your religion, you should probably look for products that are halal certified, just like Shade M Beauty. Our shades of red: Nar, Red Hot, and Foxy, definitely do not contain any carmine! They are packed with pigment sans any animal ingredients! After all, it's 2020. Isn't it time for beauty products without harming animals?!

2) It's All Inclusive 

The beauty and cosmetic industry still have a long way to go, but with the introduction of game-changers, such as halal makeup, gone are the days when women with different ethnicities and religions have difficulty finding products that they can use. Now with the rise of halal makeup, no one has to compromise their values or needs. They are finally being included in a market that has been closed off for them for so long.  

3) It's Clean and Safe

 One of the reasons why halal makeup is becoming a global phenomenon in the cosmetics industry is because of the rigid rules and regulations that are followed for it to become a halal product. Halal gives importance to a holistic lifestyle, which means that it goes beyond the ingredients used to even include the packaging, manufacturing, and distribution. Other requirements state that halal beauty products should be handled with clean utensils. This is quite alluring to many consumers because they can rest assured that the products have been cleanly and safely made and produced every step of the way.

To learn more about what Halal clearly means for Shade M Beauty, check out a detailed overview here.