KAYALI, a fragrance brand launched by Huda Kattan along with her sister Mona in 2018, has been making waves in the beauty industry. Known for its intense, layered fragrances, the brand claims to be clean, cruelty-free and vegan. These claims have garnered significant attention and interest from conscious consumers and critics alike, who prioritize ethical and sustainable practices in their choices of beauty products.
Diving deeper into the brand’s philosophy, KAYALI translates as ‘my imagination’ in Arabic. The sister duo wanted to ignite the imagination of their customers, encouraging them to create a unique scent story by layering various fragrances. But aside from creating alluring scents, the brand also puts a lot of emphasis on its ethical claims.
However, as the clean beauty movement continues to evolve, it has become increasingly important to understand what these claims truly mean. It is also crucial to investigate whether KAYALI’s claims live up to their promise.
The Meaning of a Clean Brand
In the beauty industry, the term “clean” is often used to denote products that are free from harmful chemicals or ingredients. Clean brands are those that are committed to transparency about what goes into their products. They avoid the use of ingredients that are known to cause harm, opting instead for natural or safe synthetic alternatives.
For a brand to be recognized as clean, it must avoid certain ingredients like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, among others. In addition, clean brands often avoid using animal-derived ingredients, making them more suitable for vegan consumers.
However, the definition of a clean brand can be somewhat vague and open to interpretation as there are no strict regulations governing the use of the term. This is why it’s important to carefully scrutinize a brand’s ingredient lists and production practices to see if they align with the ideals of clean beauty.
KAYALI’s Cruelty-Free Claim: A Closer Look
When it comes to being cruelty-free, KAYALI asserts that none of its products are tested on animals. This is a significant claim as animal testing has long been a controversial issue in the beauty industry, with many brands facing backlash for their unethical testing procedures.
The brand’s cruelty-free stance aligns well with Huda Beauty’s (KAYALI’s parent company) policy. Huda Beauty is certified cruelty-free by PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, which requires companies to verify that they do not conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for ingredients, formulations, or finished products.
However, while KAYALI’s cruelty-free claim is commendable, it’s important to note that being cruelty-free does not automatically make a brand vegan.
Understanding Vegan Beauty Products
Vegan beauty products are those that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. This includes ingredients like honey, beeswax, lanolin, collagen, albumen, carmine, cholesterol, and gelatin. It’s important to note that a product can be vegan but not cruelty-free, and vice versa.
In terms of fragrance, many traditional ingredients used in perfumery such as musk, ambergris, and civet are animal-derived. Many brands have now started using synthetic alternatives to these ingredients, allowing them to create vegan-friendly fragrances.
Vegan beauty brands are gaining popularity, particularly among conscious consumers who are driven by ethical considerations as well as those who have allergies or sensitivities to certain animal-derived ingredients.
Is KAYALI Truly a Vegan Brand?
KAYALI asserts that all its fragrances are vegan, which means they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, the brand does not seem to be certified by any recognized vegan certification body, such as the Vegan Society or PETA’s Vegan certification.
It should be noted that while certification is not a strict requirement for a product to be vegan, it does provide a level of assurance for consumers. Therefore, while KAYALI claims their perfumes are vegan, without the backing of a recognized certification, consumers may need to rely on the brand’s transparency and honesty.
In terms of ingredients, KAYALI’s perfumes seem to be composed of a mix of natural and synthetic ingredients. However, the brand does not provide detailed ingredient lists for their fragrances which makes it difficult to independently verify their vegan claim.
The Impact of Cruelty-Free and Vegan Brands
Cruelty-free and vegan brands are driving a positive change in the beauty industry. By refusing to test their products on animals or use animal-derived ingredients, these brands are taking a stand against animal cruelty and promoting more ethical and sustainable practices.
Not only are these brands causing minimal harm to animals, but they are also less damaging to the environment. The production of animal-derived ingredients often involves significant environmental harm, including deforestation and pollution. By avoiding these ingredients, vegan brands are contributing to environmental conservation.
Furthermore, cruelty-free and vegan brands are responding to a growing demand from conscious consumers who are seeking out ethical and sustainable products. These consumers are willing to pay a premium for products that align with their values, making cruelty-free and vegan products a lucrative market.
Consumer Responses to KAYALI’s Claims
Customer reviews of KAYALI’s perfumes are generally positive, with many praising the quality, longevity, and intensity of the fragrances. However, when it comes to the brand’s cruelty-free and vegan claims, reactions are mixed.
Some customers appreciate the brand’s commitment to animal welfare and sustainability. These individuals often view KAYALI’s cruelty-free and vegan claims as a major selling point. However, others express skepticism due to the lack of a vegan certification and detailed ingredient information.
Despite the mixed reactions, it is clear that KAYALI’s claims have sparked a dialogue among consumers about the importance of ethical and sustainable practices in the beauty industry.
Final Thoughts: The Veracity of KAYALI’s Claims
In conclusion, while KAYALI’s cruelty-free claim seems to be well-substantiated, its vegan claim is a bit murkier. Without a vegan certification or detailed ingredient information, it’s difficult to independently verify whether all of KAYALI’s fragrances are truly vegan.
However, the brand’s commitment to animal welfare and sustainability is encouraging. As consumers continue to prioritize these values, it’s likely that brands like KAYALI will face increasing pressure to provide more transparency and evidence to back up their claims.
Ultimately, conscious consumers must do their own research to ensure that the products they purchase align with their values. While KAYALI’s claims are promising, it’s clear that there’s still room for improvement when it comes to transparency and certification.
