7 Vegan, Cruelty-Free and Halal Beauty Brands You Need To Know About

There are a lot of beauty brands in the world right now. More than we could ever imagine, in fact. The sheer amount of brands and products out there doesn’t make beauty shopping any easier, so throw in specific requirements and, like me, you’re probably even more at a loss of where to begin. The positive news is that the beauty industry has come a long way in the last few years and there is certainly no skimping on quality when it comes to purchasing beauty products that align with your values. Vegan, cruelty free and halal beauty products have come on leaps and bounds compared to the slim pickings that were on offer in the very far back corner of your local beauty destination just a few years ago.

While it may seem complicated thanks to never-ending labels and claims, ultimately vegan, cruelty-free and halal requirements are simple: All vegan products should be free of any animal products and that includes animal by-products. And cruelty-free means no animal testing during any stage of the production of the product. Halal products adhere to strict halal guidelines, which means products should not contain ingredients derived from blood, pigs, human body parts, predatory animals, reptiles, insects, and alcohol.

Gone are the days where vegan, cruelty-free and halal products were notoriously hard to shop for; In 2023 we’re welcomed with a myriad of choices that fit the bill. And to make shopping for top-ups or new beauty products just that bit easier, we’ve done the hard work for you and meticulously put together the crème de la crème of vegan, cruelty-free and halal brands available. Read on to find out about the vegan, cruelty-free and halal brands we really rate.

When it comes to classic, chic beauty, the French are certainly pioneers. Think a red lip, a fresh beautiful complexion and the hint of flushed cheeks, and voilà you have Rouje. Founded by French icon Jeanne Damas, she says “at Rouje, there is not just one take on beauty nor one vision of good taste. There is no such thing as a faux pas”. The entire beauty line is 100% cruelty-free and vegan.

If you’re going to purchase one thing from Rouje, let it be the icon Les Filles en Rouje Lip Palette, which comes with four creamy luxe red tone shades to mix and match in the effort to create your perfect red lip. This also works great on the cheeks and the eyes.

The brand say this one product is the key to the sought after French glow. Yes, really. It’s a lightweight cream that works perfectly underneath makeup and as a night cream. Plus, it also leaves the skin with a gorgeous luminous finish.

The perfect natural looking mascara enriched with 85% natural ingredients to care and moisturise the lashes.

Since launching in 2006 the fragrance brand Le Labo has taken the world by storm. In fact, I don’t think there’s a person out there that doesn’t know about the brand’s uber-popular Santal 33. But it’s not just perfumes that have our atttention. Don’t skip on its gorgeous collection of candles, bodycare and haircare.

The brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free and that ethos alongside the luxurious, long-lasting and addictive scents has the fashion and beauty set hooked.

This is one of those clever and enchanting fragrances that smells quite like nothing else. Created in 2010 in collaboration with Jefferson Hack, editor-in-chief of AnOther Magazine, Le Labo’s AnOther 13 is composed of earthy botanicals. Certainly one you need to go give a sniff.

The key to long lasting fragrance is layering, and that starts with bodycare. There is a reason why Santal 33 is Le Labo’s most popular scent: It’s a timeless, classic fragrance that works exceptionally well on everybody. Enriched with vitamin E, vitamin A, aloe vera, coconut oil, white tea extract and olive oil, this paraben-free formula not only perfumes the skin, but leaves it feeling silky smooth and soft.

The latest offering from Le Labo. Think woody, creamy, musky and captivating notes that hug a room, ensurng you’ll have it burning all year round.

If there is one brand that needs no introduction, it’s Glossier. “We are committed to being cruelty free: This means we do not test on animals at any stage of product development, and we will only work with vendors who uphold the same standards” the brand says on its website. Not only that, but the brand is also working on developing vegan formulas for the brand’s beloved products.

Recently reformulated so the cult fav is now 100% vegan. Created with synthetic beeswax, castor jelly and a plant-based, multifunctional emollient blend, it’s the same great product, just 100% animal free. So that is tick for vegan, tick for cruelty-free and tick for halal. No handbag should be without it in my opinion.

Both vegan and cruelty-free certified, this is one of my favourite tinted foundations and that is coming from a solely tinted moisturiser wearer! As the packaging says, it’s definitely more skin and less makeup, making it perfect for people that dislike the feeling of foundation on their skin, but it still gives enough of a tint to even out the skin and leave you with a soft dewy finish. A great choice for the warmer weather.

Now you can get the adored Glossier You scent as a candle. Expect notes of pink pepper, fresh Iris, and woody ambrette and ambrox.

Vegan and cruelty-free can be hard to come by, but Aveda have been the leaders in this realm, with the brand’s range of high-performance and sustainably sourced, plant-powered haircare being both vegan and cruelty-free. From hair masks and leave-in conditioners to styling products, the formulas are Leaping Bunny approved and never compromise on salon-esque results.

Formulated using plant-derived technology, this vegan and cruelty-free leave-in treatment works to improve hair health, working from the inside out, preventing hair breakage and repairing hair structures for stronger and healthier hair.

Healthy hair starts with good scalp care. Created with wintergreen derived salicylic acid, a blend of Ayurvedic herbs and certified organic turmeric, this shampoo works to refresh and cleanse the scalp.

A halal certification is hard to come by. Halal for Muslims is more than just the ingredients included or excluded from a product, for something to be halal certified the production process also needs to be looked at. Mora Cosmetics are one of the few brands that encompasses a halal ethos, from how the products are developed to the ingredients used. The brand is simple: It has one hero product that is multi-use in different shades. If you favour a more streamlined beauty routine, this is for you.

It’s actually refreshing to see a brand with just one product in its range; It really does make the shopping experience simple. Available in three shades, these cream formula mutli-sticks, which are enhanced with cocoa seed butter, sunflower seed oil and candelila wax, not only feel incredible on the skin but are also nourishing and add a gorgeous pop off colour.

Meet your go to for affordable beauty that goes above and beyond. A brand that always hits the mark and is a favourite in the beauty community, E.L.F is committed to being cruelty-free and working with vegan formulas.

An instant hit with beauty TikTok, if you’re after that super dewy, light, fresh skin like complexion, this is the product for you.

Another viral product. This may be a bold statement but take it from this beauty aficionado, this is one of the best affordable cream blushes available. I’ll even go as far to say it’s on par with some of the more expensive blushes, if not better. The texture is absolutely beautiful, it glides onto the skin and sits on it to leave you with a luminous flush of colour. I adore it.

Don’t sleep on E.L.F skincare. The formulations are great and come in at that super affordable price tag. The Pure Skin Cleanser is incredibly gentle on the skin and it leaves the skin feeling cleansed, refreshed but mostly importantly nourished. This is one that will suit all skin types.

A pioneer in halal-certified beauty, Inika was one of the first available on the market. The Australian brand is committed to developing products that use clean and 100% natural ingredients to produce products that work to enhance your natural features. Definitely a brand for the ethically conscious shopper.