The Truth About Halal Nail Polish: What You Need to Know

heycalisg
Feb 23
3 min read

What Makes a Nail Polish 'Halal'?

When it comes to halal nail polish, there are two key factors that determine whether it is truly permissible for Muslim use:

Halal Ingredients – The nail polish must be free from alcohol and pig-derived components in its formulation.
Water Permeability – Water must be able to penetrate the polish and reach the nail bed to ensure that wudhu (ablution) remains valid.

To confirm these factors, the brand should have two certifications:

A halal certificate proving the ingredients are permissible.
A water permeability test certificate from a lab showing that water can pass through.

Example of Halal Certificate & Water Permeable Test Certificate

Most non-Muslim brands that claim to be “halal” only focus on halal ingredients but do not undergo water permeability testing. However, as Muslims, we perform wudhu for prayers, making water permeability just as important as halal ingredients.

If you are using halal nail polish, always check for both certifications before assuming it is truly halal.

Test Video

An additional step beyond the two certifications (halal ingredients & water permeability test) is when a brand provides a test video of their own nail polish in action like below.

One common test is the Alka-Seltzer tablet test, where the nail polish is applied to a surface, and water with an Alka-Seltzer tablet is poured over. If the tablet fizzes and dissolves, it indicates that water has successfully passed through the polish, proving its permeability.

Having a test video allows consumers to see the results firsthand, providing extra confidence and peace of mind when choosing a truly halal, wudhu-friendly nail polish.

How to Properly Apply Halal Nail Polish

Once you have confirmed your nail polish is halal, the application process is just as important. Here are the three conditions to follow when applying halal nail polish:

1. Only Apply Two Layers

Lab tests for water permeability are conducted using two layers of nail polish.
If more than two layers (e.g., base coat + 2 layers + top coat) are applied, it may block water penetration, making wudhu invalid.
If using a base coat or top coat, they must also be water-permeable from the same halal-certified brand.

🚨 A common mistake is using a halal nail polish but pairing it with a non-halal top coat or base coat. This defeats the purpose and makes the entire application non-halal.

2. Avoid Quick-Dry Products

Many salons use quick-dry sprays or drying agents to speed up the process.
These products create a film layer over the nail polish, potentially blocking water penetration.
Halal nail polish naturally takes 20-30 minutes to dry, so patience is key.

🚨 Tip: Avoid salons that use quick-dry sprays with halal polish, as it may compromise water permeability.

3. Wudhu Guidelines for Halal Nail Polish

When performing wudhu, the nails must be held under running tap water for 30 to 40 seconds to ensure proper penetration.
Some brands, like Zahara, also require rubbing the nails under water for complete permeability.

🚨 A common mistake is assuming that just rinsing the hands quickly is enough. Follow the brand’s guidelines to ensure your wudhu remains valid.

Why Choose Our Halal Nail Polish Services?

At Hey Cali & Breathe, we ensure that: ✔ We only use certified halal nail polishes that meet both halal ingredient and water permeability standards. ✔ We provide halal base coats and top coats to maintain full permeability. ✔ We do not use quick-dry sprays, ensuring your wudhu remains valid. ✔ Our team follows the correct application process according to the brand’s recommendations.

These are the reasons why many customers trust our halal nail polish services—we go beyond just using halal-certified brands, ensuring the entire process is done correctly.

Final Thoughts

Not all nail polishes labeled as “halal” are truly halal. Always verify the certifications, follow the proper application process, and be mindful of how wudhu is performed when wearing halal nail polish.

At Hey Cali & Breathe by Hey Cali, we ensure that every step of your halal nail care is done right—so you can wear your polish with confidence.

Interested in trying halal nail polish? Book an appointment with us today!