A unique relationship between woman & Kajal (Kohl)

It is so true. Being an Indian, I am sure many of you will feel connected to the post.

I believe the prowess of harnessing the beauty of the black Kajal (Kohl) and adding it to the eyes imparts a transcendent power. Every person is unique, and so are their eyes. I think it empowers every spirit and lifts it to never give up on dreams. Perhaps its mystical presence gives the strength to steal the show and stand out in the crowd. Or perhaps its presence is enough to tell you to get up and brace yourself for a new day. 

When I was a teenager, I remember my elder sisters used to keep one small pouch handy all the time. They would put a few makeup products like Kajal, Lipstick, and eyeliner. All the items mentioned were limited to a limited quantity, to be more precise limited to a single number. It was about sharing it until used up entirely, and those are delightful memories to treasure. 

Seeing all my sisters and cousins using Kajal (Kohl) more frequently than lipstick or other beauty picks was very usual for me. Acknowledging that it is the only weapon to look beautiful was quite convincing in those days. 

It was a pretty common trend and trick to look beautiful for all girls back then and that trend is still on among the young crowd. As I grew up, I could understand the power of the dark Kajal eyes and the paradigm to look irresistible. So, I felt writing down why we all still fall for it that is simply irreplaceable. 

Those were the days when we had no idea what makeup meant, or even when looking at the “Bollywood celebrities” we could all see was Kajal, eyeliner, and lipstick.  

As I said earlier when I was a teen and was getting to know how to look more (and more) beautiful every passing year.  All I was doing was learning how to apply a Kajal more efficiently and correctly than giving importance to my career goal. Silly me!

Even today, I wonder why we still get drawn toward it. I would love to share my experience when I was working in Mumbai (Mumbai) from 2009-to 2012. A long story, but I will make it short. When I left Mumbai and shifted to Pune in 2013, one of my friends called and told me that a Tailor where I used to get my Salwar suits stitched in Mumbai was talking about me. Nope! he did not recall my name or remember any of my facial features except he vividly remembered that “Madam with very dark (Kajal) eyes”. Ha. Ha. Ha! That was it. We cracked up and could not stop. And then I realized how insanely I was using it and now wondering if it was good or bad, but eventually amazing to know that people still remember me by my bold eyes. It’s a great feeling. 

Also, when I was in Living in Mumbai, the moment I realized I am getting late for the office.  It was natural for me to fill my eyes with dark back kajal and then run to catch a local train. Hardly gave any importance to my hairdo or other facial beautification. Probably, it was the only thing that kept my confidence alive and made me the most beautiful girl in the world. Ha..ha!!!!.. Please don’t take it seriously. That I said in jest.

In India, people still love it, and I think that’s the only tool that wraps up the look before stepping out of the house. So why girls cannot live without it? Why Kajal is so important & an integral part of our lives?What could be the reason for its popularity that started centuries ago in India? 

Indian history is quite intriguing, reading about Raja, Maharajas (King), and emperors who ruled India before British rule and has charming tales of their  Maharani’s (Queen) & Princes’ beauty secrets and alluring personalities. Striking poses of Queens wearing Jewelry and eminent eyes were enough to illustrate their royal attitude. Surprisingly, many of them can be seen wearing kajal. And I believe they commenced the project of “bold eyes” that got famous among other women. Later, probably that craze spread across the nation, and people started giving so much importance and got smitten by the deep mesmerizing eyes outlined by black Kajal. More importantly, they knew the homemade recipe of it. Interesting fact, right!

I bet, still, people cannot get enough of it and just cannot let that magical wand disappear from their vanity. The moment they realize they are running out of it, there always be a backup plan borrowing from a friend or cousin until they figure out when they can buy it. At least I was one of them. 

This peculiar fashion where the eyes tell the story first portrays the unique bond between the eye and its magical relation with Kajal.

Feels great to write down our distinctive style of adopting elements of beauty that interprets our unity and strength. That’s amazing!

Share your thoughts and tell me if you are one of those who love it as much as I do. 

Thank you!

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