Go Local: Vegan, Cruelty-free Cosmetic Brands That Are Proudly Malaysian

People’s love for makeup is universal, and they love it even more when it’s made locally and with great care. By that, we mean care not only for their customers, but also for the environment and the animals that could be subjected to product testing. If you’re looking to buy a new makeup product to put in your pouch, here are some cosmetic brands that are proudly Malaysian, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Pretty Suci

Pretty Suci is a certified halal beauty brand that’s changing the game for the industry. With their commitment to bring halal beauty for all, they’re among the first to offer halal beauty products at Sephora’s physical stores. Apart from selling their creations, their website has turned into a platform where customers can also purchase halal products from other brands, such as Kester Black, Naelofar, and The Speak Collective.

What they offer: lip and face balms, lip creams, semi-matte lipsticks, eyeliner stamps, mascaras, serums, foundations, perfecting powders, and eye shadows

Kamelia Cosmetics

What was once a part-time hobby is now a beauty favourite trusted by many Malaysians. Founded in 2017, Kamelia Cosmetics is the brainchild of self-confessed makeup lover Kamelia Nisha. Following a mermaid theme, locals love their vibrant packaging and range of vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics. One of their bestsellers is the Kamelia Cosmetics Mermaid Skin Foundation, which ranked first in the Beauty Insiders’ Choice 2022 for Best Liquid Foundation.

What they offer: foundations, lip tints, lip glosses, and a signature mascara

NITA Cosmetics

Founded by Aznita Azman in 2016, NITA Cosmetics is a vegan and cruelty-free brand that prides themselves in offering affordable cosmetics without sacrificing quality. Their products are hypoallergenic and can suit every skin tone, from fair to dark. Recently, they’ve collaborated with homegrown brand Secret Recipe to turn classic cakes into two collections of irresistible liquid lipsticks and gleam blushers.

What they offer: matte liquid and puff pen lipsticks, 2-in-1 foundation and concealers, shimmer and matte blushers, Mikrofon foundations, eyeliners, mascaras, brow liners, setting sprays, makeup accessories, and peelable nail polish

SO.LEK

Founded by siblings Dahlia Nadirah and Luqman Hakim, SO.LEK made a name for themselves in 2016 after kickstarting with their Gincu lip creams. They also offer other cruelty-free and wudu-friendly cosmetic products, like the Bayang multi-purpose stick, which comes in two colours and can be used as a contour, blusher, eyeshadow, and highlighter.

What they offer: lipsticks, liquid lipsticks, multi-purpose sticks, 3-in-1 brow shaper, and nail polish

Orkid Cosmetics

Orkid Cosmetic is a halal, vegan, and cruelty-fee cosmetics company “for the cool kids and conscious women.” Following their “Halal, Stylish, Confident” brand philosophy, they create makeup products that are safe, ethical, and honest without burning a hole in your pockets! What’s more, their products are produced by a JAKIM-approved halal manufacturer in Malaysia.

What they offer: Avocatdo lip oils (for chapped lips), wudu-friendly liquid lipsticks in matte finish, and a hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested plant-based sanitiser