Kohl (cosmetics)

Kajal ( Hindi, काजल, Eye ), or carbon is called an in strokes above and especially below the eyes ( eyeliner ) applied, mostly black makeup.

Kajal in Indian and Egyptian tradition

In Hindu worship plays Kajal, which is made from the soot of burnt ghee itself, an important role in the revival of the goddess. The priest sweeps under the recitation of mantras as a plant stalk the eyes of the statue with kohl, which means the outward sign for the " quickening ".

The custom of wearing makeup to eyes, goes back to the Stone Age. Kajal has a long tradition, especially in hot countries such as Egypt and India. The black border is also rumored to be able to deter flies and other insects. The Egyptian pharaohs and their wives used kohl on religious grounds, as the eye was a symbol for the sun god Ra.

Presumably, however, it was recognized even then that the eyes appear larger by the border. The eyeliner irritates depending on composition and application technique and the heartstrings and makes the eye appear moist and radiant. However, an applied within the eyelashes eyeliner damages the oil glands ( meibomian glands ) with the consequence of subsequent irreversible tear film disorders; Therefore, the eyeliner should only be applied outside of the lashes. This is especially true for contact lens wearers.

In Egypt, the Eye has been used in the form of a black powder, which was stored in alabaster bowl and coated with a thin rods made ​​of silver, ivory, horn or wood. Besides black green was a common color. He was soot, galena, manganese oxides, black iron oxide, and magnetite; for the green color of finely grated gemstone malachite was used, since this is the (toxic ) copper compound had an antiseptic effect and should prevent eye diseases.

Kajal in modernity

From a regulatory point of view heard Eyeliner - including the wax based Kajal - to cosmetic products. The products associated with the market segment of decorative cosmetics along with facial make -up, lip and nail care.

Eye today consists of various vegetable oils (such as almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil), waxes ( beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax ), fat ( glycerin), talc, mica, vitamins, carbon ( from burnt butterfat) or iron oxide pigments. He is usually in the form of eye contour pencil or as a liquid or gel, which are applied with a brush (usually called liquid eyeliner ), offered. A wide range of colors is available.

In the Western world Kajal is predominantly worn by women. However, in some sub-and youth cultures, he is also popular with men.

Indian woman with black eye rims

With made- Kajal Eye

Two kohl pencils