Kohl: An Ancient Eye Cosmetic

Kohl is an ancient eye cosmetic used to darken the eyelids, and as a mascara for the eyelashes. Used mostly by women in South Asia, Middle East and in a number of African countries, it was worn traditionally by Egyptian queens during the Bronze Age, from 3500 BC, and originally as protection against eye diseases. It was also based on some beliefs that darkening around the eyes would protect the user from the harsh sun rays and, when applied to an infant’s eyes, would strengthen the child’s eyes and protect him from the evil eye. Also known as surma, kuhl and kajal, it is a black substance used as eyeliner by women mostly of the Arabian Peninsula and India, where the common ingredients for making it were lamp-black and lead.

Despite a classification by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States that Kohl, kajal or surma are a source of lead poisoning and are therefore illegal, products pertaining to beauty and body care related to Kohl continue to be available to the buying public in many parts of the world. Most of these Kohl products are made for women such as skin and eye care solutions, firming and eye cream, moisturizer, lotion, eye-brightening cream, eyeliner, eyebrow liner, lipstick and nail polish. A number of skin care products help protect the skin from being damaged by the sun, improve radiance and moisture, lines and under eye dark circles. An aging skin can be helped with the use of firming and eye creams in the same way as an eye brightening cream brightens the eye area and increases hydration at the same time.

The Kohl pencil and eyebrow liner are among the top beauty care products. The Kohl pencil is excellent for a smoky eye look because it highlights the shape of the eyes to make them look younger. To add depth and a dramatic touch, light dots are made along the lower lashes with a colored Kohl pencil. The eyebrow liner is also an eyeliner pencil that fills the lids naturally with black and correct eyebrows to suit one’s face. To use a Kohl eyeliner, one must use a waterproof eyeliner to make the liner stay as-is on the eyes. A slightly wet eye line brush is needed to sweep across an eye shadow, which must be applied only after the eyeliner is done. The Kohl liner can be made with a tail outside the edges of the eye to add drama to it.

The color-tinted moisturizer gives moisture and sun protection to leave one’s face in a lightweight feeling, with the color tint blending well with one’s natural complexion. Another beauty care product—a lipstick—consists of three shades, namely Gardenia, Hibiscus and Heather. Gardenia is for lovers of dark-shaded lipstick that minimizes the tone. Hibiscus is for lovers of pink, which is a bold, bright and attractive color that highlights the lips. Heather is a flattening shade that has a natural look. This shade fits those with dark eyes and helps them downplay with their lips. They are part of a Kohl make up kit that includes a nail polish.

Some of the body care products include shower gel, body lotion, perfumed spray, and a vanilla sugar body mist that can pair with the body lotion. After use, they will leave you smelling delightful and with a feeling of freshness.