Kajal is a soft pencil made specifically for the inner rim of the eye — the waterline. The name comes from the Indian tradition of lining the eyes, and in modern cosmetics kajal differs from an ordinary eye pencil in three ways: a creamier texture, a formulation intended for contact with the waterline, and a core soft enough not to scratch.
Kajal versus a regular pencil
| Kajal | Eye pencil | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | Waterline, lash roots, smudged edges | Lid skin, wings |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Medium to firm |
| The line | Soft, slightly diffuse | Crisp, holds its shape |
| Wear time | Shorter, needs topping up | Longer |
Which leads to one rule worth remembering: do not try to draw a graphic wing with kajal. It will migrate. Use it for the jobs no other format does as well — thickening the lash line from inside, and changing the colour of the waterline.
Application, step by step
- Blot first. Press a clean tissue against the waterline. No pencil holds on a wet surface.
- Barely pull the lid. A gentle lift or drop with one fingertip is enough; stretching the skin distorts where the colour lands.
- Use short dashes, not one continuous sweep. Dash, pause, dash — this deposits pigment into the rim rather than onto the lashes.
- Press rather than drag. Kajal releases with light pressure and skin warmth.
- Set it. Go over the line with a matching powder shadow on a fine brush. This is the single biggest difference between kajal that lasts two hours and kajal that lasts eight.
- Blot again after a minute to lift whatever did not set. That excess is what ends up under your eyes later.
When to reach for a nude one
A beige, peach or soft pink kajal on the lower waterline cancels redness along the rim and makes the eye look larger. It is one of the fastest improvements in makeup — three seconds per eye.
Skip stark white. It photographs oddly and reads as obviously applied. Choose something a shade warmer and closer to your own skin.
If it keeps transferring
Almost always one of three things: the waterline was damp, the line was never set with powder, or the pencil is too soft for oily lids. A dusting of powder beneath the lower lashes before you start helps. Otherwise look for a waterproof kajal — see the current catalogue on faberlic.com for available formats and shades.
More eye techniques, from liner to lashes, are collected in the makeup section.