As the second pillar of Islam, Salah is obligatory. All Muslims that are of age of puberty should observe Salah as prescribed in the Quran. However, before praying, there’s a need for purification (Wudhu).
O, you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles”.{Qu’ran 5, verse 6}
While performing wudhu, it is required that water comes in contact with the areas of your body involved in the purification process (i.e. hands, face, ears, feet, etc.). Traditional Nail polish contains lacquer which restricts water from getting to the nails, hence rendering wudu purification invalid.
As a result, there are several companies that market halal nail polish that are designed to be breathable and water permeable However, misunderstandings ensued. Are Halal nail polishes really Halal? Are they breathable and can be used during Salah? Even though some scholars believe it’s safe not to use Halal polish, others endorse it.
For instance, the famous Imam Omar Suleiman said using water-permeable nail polish is a “Halal” alternative. Moreover, Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem gave a direct “No” to the use of Halal nail polish. Imam Mufti Menk said it’s best to use nail polish alternatives without controversies, e.g. Henna or Press-on nails. While scholarly opinions vary, we have listed out a few “halal” friendly nail polish options you might want to consider!
1. Inglot
Inglot is a famous global brand, they were notably one of the first companies to manufacture the Wudhu Friendly Nail Polish. Their water-permeable halal nail polish started with the O2M Breathable Nail Enamel product. This product is available in several shades, textures, and colors that’ll send you into a shopping frenzy. The shades are over 18 and are vegan-friendly.
We choose Inglot over other brands because it cures quickly upon application and its overall performance when compared with other water-permeable nail polish products. In addition to being halal certified, their products are also vegan and cruelty free. They source their products responsibly and majority of their products are produced in-house. Pro-tip: Inglot also offers 15% off online orders for new signups to their mailing list!
Their halal nail polish is an excellent choice for manicures as they contain natural ingredients like argan oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and rosehip seed oil which have a proven health benefit all while strengthening your nails. The Inglot halal nail polish has high pigments meaning you can get away with one coat to get your desired nail look. They’re breathable, allowing oxygen to get to your nails, and don’t peel off with everyday use.
You can get their breathable nail polish lines at affordable prices directly through them (via online and in-store retailers). Inglot has many physical stores worldwide where you can enter and test the beauty products before purchase as well!
2. Orly
Are you looking for a trustworthy, Wudhu Friendly halal nail polish alternative? Orly made its debut of halal nail polish during their collaboration with Muslim Girl. Their debut line contains six nail polish variations spanning fascinating colors all of which are formulated with premium ingredients. If you plan to purchase directly from Orly, definitely take advantage of their popup discount offers (usually 10-15% off discount when you sign up to their mailing list)
Their water-permeable nail polish line is composed of vitamin C, argan oil, and pro-vitamin B5 amongst other natural ingredients. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Orly beauty products are trusted by many celebrities and fashionistas worldwide, so rest assured, they offer exceptional products. The Orly set of Wudhu Friendly Nail polishes is designed with stylish finishes and colors that will dazzle for a long time even with everyday use!
This particular polish is breathable, and rivals many of the lacquer nail polish alternatives. We love the brand because their products are affordable despite the brand recognition. The polishes dry quickly for easy on the go application, and the ingredients keep your nails healthy, pretty, shiny, and elegant.
3. 786 Cosmetics
786 Cosmetics is another reliable halal nail polish brand. Their products are vegan-friendly and free of toxins. At the time of writing this post, 786 Cosmetics had committed to donating 20% of their profits to refugee causes.
Now back to the nail polish, The fantastic colors and line names inspire people to purchase and satisfy their curiosity.
For instance, the Marrakech polish is inspired by the “Rose City”. Like other halal nail polish brands, 786 cosmetics halal nail polish is durable, and a coat can last up to a week or more on your nails (of course this will vary on your daily routine). 786 Cosmetics offer free shipping Worldwide with a minimum purchase. You’ll even get 10% off your purchase when you Sign Up in and join their newsletter.
4. Tuesday In Love
Tuesday In Love is a brand established out of love – from a husband to his wife. While looking for the best Halal nail polish to get his wife, Umar sought to solve his wife’s problem into a solution for Muslim women. The Tuesday In Love Wudhu Friendly Nail Polish is vegan, breathable, and halal certified. They come in a wide selection of shades and finishes; matte and glossy finishes are available. In fact, their shades of colors is what makes their product unique and attractive.
Looking for gift ideas? Tuesday In Love have 3-color sets of nail polish that are an excellent gift idea. Tuesday In Love is an online retailer that offers free shipping with a minimum purchase of $49.49 (at the time of writing).
5. Mersi Cosmetics
Like many of the other halal options, Mersi nail polish is made with vegan-friendly and non-toxic materials. They have over 20 nail polish shades in their water breathable collection giving you a wide range of options to choose from. The polish is free of the harsh chemicals present in common nail polish, assuring you of a healthy and stylish nail. Mersi Cosmetics is halal certified, and they have vibrant colors that will send you on a shopping spree. At time of writing this article, they are offering a 10% off discount when signing up to their mailing list.
Breathable? Of course. The halal nail polish from Mersi is Wudhu Friendly, and water can easily pass through the paint splash. Mersi Cosmetics spent years on the research before formulating breathable halal nail polishes. Although they keep updating the formulation to make the Wudhu Friendly nail polishes better for Muslim women.