How to Apply Kajal & Make It Last All Day
A simple guide to applying kajal for bold, defined eyes — and the trick to stop it smudging in Pakistan's heat.
Kajal is the quickest way to define the eyes, and it has been a staple of South Asian beauty for generations. The catch in Pakistan's climate is keeping it from sliding into a raccoon-eye by midday. Here is how to apply kajal cleanly and make it last.
Kajal vs kohl vs eyeliner
The terms overlap. Kajal is a soft, smudgeable pencil traditionally used on the waterline; kohl is the classic deep-black formula; eyeliner (pencil, gel or liquid) is firmer and used along the lash line for a sharper finish. Many looks use both — kajal on the waterline, liner on top.
How to apply kajal
1. Start with clean, dry lids — a swipe of powder helps absorb oil. 2. Gently pull the outer corner of the eye taut and glide the pencil along the upper lash line, short strokes from inner to outer. 3. For intensity, line the upper waterline; for a softer look, smudge the line with a cotton bud. 4. Tightlining the lower waterline makes lashes look denser but smudges faster in heat, so keep it light.
Make it last in the heat
The single biggest fix is to set the line: press a matching dark eyeshadow over the kajal with a small brush. The powder locks the cream formula in place. A waterproof formula and an oil-free eye area help too — and a quick blot of the under-eye through the day stops transfer.
Finish the eye look
Pair kajal with a couple of coats of mascara and a wash of shadow to pull the look together. The Christine Velvet Eyeshadow Palette has both the matte black you need to set the line and the neutrals to blend out. Explore more in Makeup — authentic, with cash on delivery across Pakistan.
Liked this one? Get the next in your inbox.
One fortnightly note from the editors — new pieces, restocks, and the routines we're actually using. Unsubscribe any time.
