Have you ever seen pictures from paintings, or representations of Cleopatra who was Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen? In all of her pictures, Cleopatra has something in common: her eyes are filled with kohl!
This is not surprising given that the belief is that Egyptians are the very first people to utilize Kohl earlier, around 3100 B.C. Kohl was more than cosmetically appealing at the time – it also served to cool eyes and improve the eyesight. Kajal or kohl is used across all continents especially those in South East Asia and the Middle East.
The principal ingredient in kajal can be organic charcoal or carbon, combined with plant oils and other ingredients that can be used to treat eyes. Indian women have been making kajal for centuries at in their homes, mixing soot, camphor and sandalwood. We have today a broad variety of kajal items with different colors and different durability.
To get the best results, you should Try the Lakme Kajal which is smudgeproof and lasts for a long time.
Different Methods of Applying Kajal
To make any kind of kajal makeup it is essential to prepare the skin of the face prior to applying which includes the lids. Cleanse any makeup or makeup residue and wash the face. Make sure the skin is prepped with an eye primer. Apply it to the area around the eyes and around the eyelids, too. Apply a concealer to cover any dark circles to ensure that the kajal will pop.
1. Lower Waterline
This is the most popular kajal application method used in India. It involves the application of Kajal just on the lower waterline leaving the remainder of the eye unadorned.
For applying kajal in this manner, gently pull down the eyelid with the ring finger of your non-dominant hand. Do not pull off the eyelid. The goal is to open to the lower line of lash. Begin applying the kajal at the inner corner of the eye and working to the side. The kajal can be finished with the eye’s end or extend it an additional bit.
A pencil is the perfect tool for this type of Kajal application. It is possible to smudge the kajal slightly shortly after application to add some depth. Kajal can be used in different colors for this type of look. If your eyes aren’t big and you want to make them appear larger, a white kajal placed on the lower part of your waterline can increase the size of your eyes.
2. Upper Waterline
The method of applying kajal is an option to apply kajal using the lower eyeline. It’s the opposite of the sense that this method covers the upper waterline while leaving the remainder of the eye empty as well as being somewhat difficult to apply.
To apply kajal along the upper waterline elevate the lower eyelid by using the finger of the hand with no dominant hand so that the upper line of lash is exposed. Begin applying the kajal starting beginning at the inner corner of the eye, along the lash line until you get to the outer edge. Be sure to hold your hands steady to ensure that you can get a neat sharp, straight line that’s not bleeding across the top of your eyelid.
This technique of applying makeup is sometimes referred to as tight lining. It can take some time to master but it’s an excellent way to make your eyes appear bigger and more expansive. It’s possible to finish with mascara to give the new, perked-up appearance.
3. Winged Cat Eye
The winged cat eye is one of the fashion trends that will are never out of fashion. If done correctly it will transform any look elegant and chic. Finding the perfect winged look using eyeliner isn’t easy however a kajal can make the task simpler.
To achieve a beautiful winged cat eye, begin with drawing lines across your upper line of lash beginning at the inside of the eye towards the outside. Once you’ve reached the outside corner of your eye stretch the kajal line by moving it up with a slight angle. If the extra “flick” of kajal looks a bit unnatural, just cover it with the kajal to create a neat line and a long line also looks nice.
The cat eye with a winged appearance can be finished with the lower waterline. The two lines join with a flick of the upper Kajal line. Pencils are the best choice for people who are just beginning to learn this method, but using a gel or liquid could provide better results.
4. Double Winged Eye
Once you’ve learned the art of a winged cat-eye application using kajal, you can move on to the double-winged eyes. It’s similar to the single-winged style however, as its name implies, it has two lines.
For this style apply the kajal in the normal winged fashion, closely on your upper line of lash. When you’ve completed your ‘wing’ draw upwards towards the line that runs across your upper eye following the same path, but this time, slightly higher than the initial Kajal line. You can draw it towards the inner corner, or stop at mid-point. You can also fill the gap on the wing on the outer edge of your eye.
This is a slightly quirky approach to applying kajal that it is great for a casual occasion or night out. It also looks great with different shades of kajal and eyeshadows when you experiment to discover a look you like.