The cosmetic industry is a huge industry that is prominent in current times. Today almost every person uses one or more cosmetic products on their skin as they do not just make the skin look more beautiful but also enhance the confidence of the person wearing it. Eye cosmetics are one of the most popular types of cosmetics among several different products. Kajal and kohl are some of the many eye products which might be confused to be the same product but have many dissimilarities.
Kajal vs Kohl
The main difference between kajal and kohl is that kajal is a pigment used for eyes that are made up of organic ingredients. On the other hand, kohl is also a pigment used for eye makeup, however, it is made up of synthetic ingredients such as wax and other chemicals.
Kajal is one of the most ancient cosmetics that has been used in early centuries in different parts of the world. Specifically, kajal is a cosmetic that is used for eye makeup, majorly to underline the upper waterline and lower waterline of the eye. However, in current times, it can be also used for other purposes, such as to make smokey eyes makeup look.
The word kohl is derived from the Arabic word ‘Kuhl’ which has Semitic roots. It is quite a popular cosmetic product used when it comes to makeup. Just like kajal, kohl is also used to underline the upper waterline and the lower waterline of the eye. Kohl is majorly made up of wax, powders, pigments, and other synthetic materials.
Comparison Table Between Kajal and Kohl
What is Kajal?
In ancient times, kajal was used in several different parts of the world such as in the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, West Africa, and more. In the early centuries, kajal was made purely out of organic and natural ingredients. They included no artificial ingredients or chemicals. However, with the advancement in time, the ingredients used in the making of kajal kept changing and got more inclined to artificial ingredients.
Kajal is used as an integral part of makeup in India. In the different parts of India, kajal is known by several different names, such as it is known by the word ‘Surma’ in Punjab, in Bengal kajal is known by the word ‘Kajol’, in Tamil, it is known by the word ‘kan mai, ‘kaadige’ in Kannada and so on.
In many parts of India, kajal is made at home out of natural ingredients. The ingredients used in the making of kajal are medicinal herbs, camphor, and oil. Since the kajal is made out of herbal and natural ingredients, it is known to have many health benefits. Majorly in south Asian countries, kajal is used on infants as well because it is believed that the camphor in the making of kajal gives a cooling effect to the eyes, it protects the eyes, and also protects the vision from the harmful rays of the sun.
What is Kohl?
Since kohl is made up of wax and powders, it has a mixture of dry and soft textures. Because of this texture, the kohl is not very messy to use and it can also be used with precision even by people who are beginners to eye makeup. Depending upon the company which is manufacturing the kohl and depending upon the manufacturing process of the kohl, the ingredients used can vary.
Moreover, since kohl uses synthetic pigments in its manufacturing process, it is available in several different varieties of colors. Because of the availability of different colors in kohl, it can be used for several other purposes as well, such as eyebrow pencils, colored eyeliners, lip liners, colored eyeshadows, and more.
Kohl also has a great tendency to get smudged. Because of this tendency of kohl, it can be used as a great cosmetic product to make smokey smudged eyes which also gives a seamlessly blown out eyeshadow look. When used in the waterline of the eyes, kohl makes the eyes look deep and more defined. The most common form of kohl is in the form of a pencil. However, it can also be available in the form of gel and with a makeup brush to put on the eyes.
Main Differences Between Kajal and Kohl
- Kajal has an oily texture. On the other hand, Kohl has a dry texture.
- Kajal glides easily on the skin. Whereas, Kohl does not glide easily on the skin as compared to the kajal.
- Kajal is not suitable for people who are beginners to eye makeup. On the other hand, kohl is suitable for all types of makeup artists, that is, beginner, intermittent, and advanced as well.
- Kajal can dry out easily if kept open in the atmosphere. On the contrary, kohl does not dry as quickly as kajal when kept open.
- Kajal does not harm eyes. Whereas, kohl can harm eyes if used inappropriately or with sensitive eyes.
Conclusion
Since both kajal and kohl are used to put on the waterline, they are often considered as the same product with different names. However, kajal and kohl are two different products and the major difference between the two cosmetic products lies in their ingredients and their texture.
One can distinguish the difference between kajal and kohl by knowing their texture. Kajal would glide easily on the skin and would have a slightly oily texture. On the other hand, kohl would glide on like a stroke of a pencil and would have a more dry texture.
References
- http://www.visionaryvalues.com/wiki/images/Long_Haul_M_Horton.pdf
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/387859