Throughout the past year, I’ve made an effort to support beauty brands that are both ethical and help simplify my everyday makeup routine. As a consumer, I feel like I have a huge responsibility to know exactly what I’m putting onto my skin and who I’m buying my products from. And I’ve realized that the phrase “quality over quantity” applies to makeup, too — materialism and trend culture is so damaging to the environment, and I’d rather have staples that I can count on instead of buying and disposing of makeup all the time.
Along my journey towards sustainability, my newest discovery is Mora Cosmetics: a halal, clean, vegan beauty brand named after the Farsi word for “pearl.” Despite being only a few years old, the brand has already launched multi-shade sticks and highlighters. Below, I give my thoughts on five Mora Cosmetics products — including the new Beach Glass Highlighters, which just dropped at the end of last month!
about mora
Mora Cosmetics was created by Minara El-Rahman, who wanted to make a halal line that honors her Muslim heritage, and Jasmine Dayal, who is passionate about environmentalism and climate change. In fact, the brand gives back five percent of its profits to charities: Coral Gardeners and SeaLegacy. Everything about Mora is marine-friendly, from the packaging of the products to the ingredients. I find it so inspiring that the founders care so much about the ecological impact of their makeup brand.
If you are unfamiliar with the phrase “halal makeup,” it’s quite simple: no alcohols or animal ingredients are used in Mora products, so Muslims can pray with the makeup on. Alcohol is found in so many products, from makeup and skincare to lotions and hair products. Even if you aren’t Muslim, you can (and should) still shop from the brand. It’s clear that the founders believe in helping everyone enhance their natural beauty — not cover it up.
“As inhabitants of this planet, we are
— Mora Cosmetics
all stewards of the Earth.”
beach glass highlighters
The new Beach Glass Highlighter comes in two shades: Pink Sands (champagne pink) and Rio (bronze/copper). After incorporating the highlighter sticks into my everyday routine for about a week, I can safely say that I will be using them all summer! The products are really creamy, and I love how smooth they apply to my skin. The products can be used as a two-in-one, helping cut down on the number of products you need. On my skin tone, Pink Sands works amazing as a radiant, shimmering blush.
Some of the key ingredients include cocoa seed butter, sunflower seed oil, and candelilla wax — all of which are hydrating and great for your skin. I was really surprised to learn that the highlighters are anhydrous, meaning they are made without water. Before trying out Mora Cosmetics, I had no idea that waterless beauty products even existed. Water-free or water-reduced formulas have many important benefits: they last longer, help conserve water, and absorb easier into the skin. I love that Mora Cosmetics helped me learn about how makeup products and marine conservation intersect, mixing education and beauty across their website and socials. I’ll definitely be paying attention to this factor in the future.
The satin sheen multistick
The Satin Sheen Multistick comes in three shades: Minxy, Hyped, and Jessie’s Girl. Just like the highlighters, the multisticks are anhydrous and contain the key ingredients of cocoa seed butter, sunflower seed oil, and candelilla wax. I love that the rounded shape of the multisticks makes it easy for me to apply them on my lips or cheeks (another two-in-one) without any mess.
Minxy (a pinkish nude) is my go-to for everyday wear, while Jessie’s Girl or Hyped is perfect for a bolder night-out look. All three shades are super pigmented and long-lasting, holding their color throughout the day. I can also report that all five of the Mora products I tried came without the weird chemical makeup smell I associate with other products that don’t prioritize natural ingredients.
Conclusion
Mora Cosmetics is on a mission to help the environment, support marine conservation charities, and guide the way toward inclusiveness of halal beauty in Western culture. I’ll be supporting the inspirational, educational brand throughout its journey, and I hope you’ll join me, too. Makeup doesn’t have to be complicated or involve a thousand products. If Mora Cosmetics has shown me anything, it’s that makeup can be fun, educational, and sustainable. Make sure to grab the Beach Glass Highlighters before the summer!