According to Ayurveda you should use kajal (kohl, surma, eyeliner) for its health benefits. I use a lot of kajal and am always on the lookout for smudge proof kajal. But I feel that if the product is smudge proof then maybe they are using a lot of chemicals (parabens etc) which could irritate the skin and your eyes. And if we have a healthier alternative then why not try that? So when I heard that Ayurveda recommends the use of kajal, I decided to do a bit of research about why and how.
I found out that Ayurveda recommends kajal for its cooling and healing properties for the eyes. In hot regions men and women used kajal made with camphor to keep their eyes protected from the heat and glare of the sun. When made using other spices (I made mine using ajwain), then the kajal can help in keeping eyes clean and infection free.
So when a friend of mine told me how to make kajal at home I promptly decided to make my own. Here’s how you can also make it:
1. Soak cotton in mustard oil overnight. You can also use ghee, camphor or almond oil.
2. The next morning make a wick using this cotton. Put ajwain and neem inside the wick (optional).
3. Take a diya (I used an earthenware diya. You can use a silver or copper vessel as well.)
4. Cover the flame with a bowl and let the soot collect there.
5. Once the wick has burned out then collect the soot in a small box.
You can use this powder with your finger or get a small brush and use that. It’s smudge proof and great for the eyes. Here’s a picture of my kajal:
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