Each year, more than 100 million animals—including rabbits, mice, rats, cats, dogs, and also guinea pigs- are killed in laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, curiosity-driven experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing.

Animals are treated as disposable laboratory/ experiment tools, suffering all those unethical procedures done by humans. Before their death, some are forced to inhale toxic chemicals, some are immobilized in restraint devices for hours, some have holes drilled into their skulls, and others have their skin burned off or their spinal cords crushed. In addition to the torment of the actual experiments, animals in laboratories are deprived of everything natural and important to them—they are confined to barren cages, socially isolated, and psychologically traumatized.

More than ever, compassionate companies are starting to make the change by choosing to produce their products without testing on animals. And we love them for it! As the new era approaches, veganism is more than just a trend. It has emerged as a new form of lifestyle that advocates the associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals.

Many brands including local Malaysian beauty brands are bringing the vegan and cruelty-free identity into the market, in hopes of reducing and avoiding the exploitation of harming animals in the name of beauty. Therefore, the media plays a crucial role in delivering nothing but the truth and transparency of each industry.

That being said, here are five Malaysian beauty brands that you should take a look out for to support your vegan journey.

• Orkid Cosmetics

Orkid Cosmetics is a Malaysian cosmetic company that solely produces halal, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty products, avoiding the harmful effects made on the environment and animals. Their Research & Development was done in Malaysia, tested on Orkid’s team itself, including its founder, Raeesa Sya, allowing their customers to feel beautiful both inside and out. Orkid Cosmetics has been featured by ELLE, CLEO, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, etc. As of now, they are restocking their best sellers matte suede liquid lipsticks in 4 color shades which are Dime, Blush, Vibes, and Slay.

• Breena Beauty

Credit: Breena Beauty

Beauty blogger Sabrina Tajudin, joined by her husband Tawfiq, who founded Breena Beauty in 2015, is all about celebrating self-love through her love for cosmetics. Their beauty line offers high-quality makeup products and tools just for their customers. Sabrina’s love for art shines through her makeup brand. That being said, products ranging from their non-drying budge-proof liquid lipstick to her makeup tools have been recognized as the best in Malaysia by Marie Claire, with the results of constant re-stocking.

• Velvet Vanity

Credit: Velvet Vanity

Branded for the young (and the young at heart), Velvet Vanity is a fun and ultra-modern makeup brand. Founder, Adlina Nadhirah, made sure that no harmful chemicals and animals were being patronized in the making of her beauty products. Thus, it is safe to say that Velvet Vanity is guaranteed to be 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Lastly, how cool is that to have their liquid lipstick being Tati-approved?

• Beautyra

Credit: BeauTyra

Beautyra is a local Malaysian beauty brand that does not discriminate against anyone based on their shape, size or skin. The brand strongly holds on to ensuring quality and affordability should be equal, wanting every customer to feel their best all day every day with their makeup essentials that come in all different shades and tones, enhancing the idea #youcanwakeupliddis. Beautyra products are also animal cruelty-free and are currently working to be leaping bunny approved.

• Kamelia Cosmetics

Credit: Kamelia Cosmetics

Attention to all mermaid fans, do check out Kamelia Cosmetics! Founded in 2017, Kamelia has brought her love for make-up ever since she was a little girl to life. Combining two of her loves towards beauty and mermaids, Kamelia Cosmetics strives to deliver the highest quality at an affordable price point that is also vegan, paraben-free, and never tested on animals. Lastly, no mermaids were harmed during the manufacturing process 😉