The first time I encountered a traditional South Asian kajal pencil was in fact Shahnaz Husain’s kajal – which I am sure, many of you have memories of. It was the only real alternative to Lakme. A quick look on Amazon shows that not much has changed – this is not a popular product.
Its very reminiscent of the 1980s – the extremely kajal laden kohl eyes, which some (mistakenly) think enhances their eyes beauty. Unsurprisingly, trends have changed and the clear winner is Maybelline’s colossal kajal.
kajal is Colossal Kajal
Like many Indians and South Asians, kajal means Maybelline Colossal kajal. Its cheap, long-wearing and intensely black. Its almost as if Maybelline designed this product keeping in mind the Indian consumer and our viciously temperamental weather. Also, whether we like it or not its under Rs 200 and is available everywhere.
In terms of price point, availability at every single street corner from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and performance (it is stupidly black and does not budge), Colossal kajal set the standard very high at mass market level for other eyeliners.
kajal that cares about your eye health?
BUT soultree are counting on you caring about what make up you apply on your eyes and that there are enough people in India tha have sensitive, irritated eyes that they want gentle eye make up products. Soultree are not wrong
How does soultree kajal compare?
I will do a separate post on colossal kajal but immediately I can tell you that this product does not contain synthetic ingredients such as plastic (polyethylene), silicone (cyclopentasiloxane) or colouring agents derived from insects (carmine).
Instead this kajal contains traditional Ayurvedic ingredients such as ghee, kokum butter, camphor and almond oil. If you were going to apply something to improve eye health you would pick some of these ingredients.
Full ingredient from website:
Isoamyl laurate, Ricinus communis (castor) oil*, Sorbitan olivate, Euphoribia cerifera (candelilla) cera, Copernicia cerifera (carnuba) cera, Butyrum (clarified butter)*, Theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter, Garcinia indica (kokum) butter, Prunus dulcis (almond) oil*, Mel (honey)*, Cinnamomum camphora (camphor) powder, Tocopherol
Its also certified as a natural and organic cosmetic product from a tough certification board (BDIH, a German standard), and hence the high price point.
How does the product compare in performance
The kajal is intensely black – and this surprised me.
What did not surprise me is how it immediately smudged….I could upload all the smudged eyeliner photos, BUT THEY ARE NOT ATTRACTIVE! Also, there is no way this lasts 6hours, unless your plastering your eyes with kajal…
It does better than Forest Essentials and other luxury kajals such as Estee Lauder. But its just not in the same league as Colossal Kajal
Is this good for sensitive eyes?
The best kajal for sensitive eyes is Forest Essentials – mainly because it smudges so much and is barely in your eyes for longer than 2 seconds (I am exaggerating but you get the picture)
When I wore soultree’s kajal, my eyes did not feel dry, strained or irritated.
I would say the product smells of camphor and that should not irritate eyes (but could)
Would I buy this again?
The answer is yes I would, but let me give you the full picture
I am touching 40, and recently I was diagnosed with very dry eyes. Stupidly dry eyes and in fact, I am not supposed to stare at a screen for long. Goodbye Amazon Prime Videos.
So I have been looking to change my eye make up – I rarely use Colossal kajal because its intensely drying and I feel as if my eyes become more dry and irritated when I do use it.
The problem I have with this product is I have hooded eyes and I don’t really know how to use a kajal format that is not a pencil. I know. I feel as if I should be embarrassed to write this, but I am not
Where to buy this?
I bought this product in Khan Market, New Delhi in what was a pathetic and extremely sorry looking store. Its also available online at soultree and comes in 11 colours.
What should I know about the product before buying it?
Apart from the fact that this smudges, its difficult to choose from the 11 shades online.
E.g., there is no way that you or I would know what the copper tint kajal looks on our skin tone. There are no displays on the products on skin or actual humans. It makes purchasing the product unnecessarily difficult.
How to take care of your eyes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/basics/eye-care/hlv-20049421