Throughout North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, women have used kohl to accentuate their eyes for thousands of years. Yet, only recently has kohl’s ancient formulation triggered ground-breaking innovation in chemistry.
Traditional kohl is a loose powder that’s applied by rubbing a stick shaped like a pencil across your water line with closed eyes. Today, many brands offer kohl eyeliner pencils.
It’s Easy to Apply
When you hear the word “kohl,” you may think of Johnny Depp’s iconic Jack Sparrow smudges, or perhaps Indian women’s Henna hair dye, but actually this beauty product dates back to ancient times. The kohl (or kajal) we know today is typically made from mineral pigments that are safe for your eyes, but historically it was a compound composed of lead or antimony.
Egyptians used kohl made from galena mixed with animal fats, which inevitably contained high levels of lead sulfide. Archeological discoveries have found jars of this traditional kohl in tombs, and it was used daily by men and women as an eyeliner and a way to ward off disease.
In Arabia, it was called ithmid, and it was applied by Muslim women for religious reasons. It is believed to protect the eyes from harsh desert conditions, and it also purifies the skin around the eyes. It can even be used to lengthen eyelashes.
It’s Versatile
Modern eyeliner pencils that use the term kohl (or kajal) are often not made from traditional kohl’s compounds due to the FDA’s ban on certain color additives and potential health risks. Instead, these are usually made from powders, pigments, and waxes.
Kohl remains one of the most versatile tools in makeup artists’ arsenals to this day. Traditionally, women would dip a stick-like applicator into mesdemet and run it across the lower water line of the eyelid, with the eyes still closed. They could then move the applicator down to the lash line and across to the upper lid, creating a variety of smoky and dramatic looks.
Our kohl is a safe alternative to traditional mesdemet that uses natural ingredients, rather than synthetic chemicals. It’s perfect for defining, lining, and intensifying the eyes with rich color. It also provides a long-wearing formula, so your creations will last all day. Try using it for smoky eye looks and defining the eyebrows, or work it into your everyday look to achieve bold beauty.
It’s Safe
Unlike modern eyeliner pencils, traditional kohl is a powder that’s applied with a small brush. It’s a safe choice for people with sensitive eyes since it contains no chemicals or fragrances, which can be irritating.
If applied correctly, it can protect the eyes from glare and dust and is a common remedy for eye diseases. In ancient Egypt, it was commonly used by women of all social classes and believed to repel the evil eye and protect against disease.
Kohl is popular in Pakistan and India and used by young girls to get that sultry, seductive look. Growing up in a Paskistanian home, Tayyaba remembers that her mother always had kohl in a gold-colored genie bottle on the dressing table. Traditionally, kohl was made from antimony or lead and was found in powder form. However, most modern kohls sold in North America are actually made from galena, which has less toxic elements and is safer.
It’s Affordable
Kohl liners have the same benefits of darker eyeliner, but at more of an affordable price. Whether in pencil or liquid form, kohl eyeliners are easy to apply and give a dramatic look that can be smudged and softened for more of a smoky effect.
While traditional kohl may contain lead, there are many modern formulations that do not. The Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eyeliner, for example, is a super silky pick that comes in classic dark shades, as well as an eye-opening nude tone. It’s also ophthalmologist-tested and is made with cruelty-free ingredients, including natural jojoba, shea, and marula oils.
The ancient Egyptians believed that kohl liners, known as mesdemet, conferred upon the wearer the qualities of the Eye of Horus—protection and healing—and even the ability to see through water. It’s not hard to believe that the same attributes would be desirable today! The iconic actress and sex symbol Theda Bara used kohl liners to define her famous features throughout her career. kohl eyeliner powder