REVIEW: Patanjali Herbal Kajal

Patanjali Herbal Kajal - No Smudge, No Smear

An Ayurvedic Proprietary Medicine

Claims:

Indulge, relax & soothe the eyes. A safe and unique ointment formulation, containing a special combination of herbs and vegetable oils & waxes that help maintain and improve vision. 

Ingredients:

Each 1 gm contains:

Castor oil - 300 mg

Almond oil - 20 mg

Amla (Indian Gooseberry) decoction - 0.1 mg

Harad (Chebulic Myrobalan) decoction - 0.1 mg

Baheda (Beleric Myrobalan) decoction - 0.1 mg

Yashti madhu (Licorice) decoction - 0.1 mg

Rasaut (Indian Barberry) decoction - 0.1 mg

Benefits:

The benefits of each of the ingredient used is as below.

Castor oil & Almond oil - Both of these are traditional ingredients in an Ayurvedic recipe for Kajal (or kohl). For more information, read my DIY oil for longer and thicker lashes and brows here. 

Amla, Harad, and Baheda are the three components of Triphala. Triphala wash is helpful for the eyes, strengthening the eye muscles and improving eyesight. 

Amla - It is used to strengthen the roots of the hair and also darken it. Applied over the eyes, it can help the vision. Read more benefits of it in my classic Indian beauty secrets here. 

Harad - This tree grows widely all over India. The Abhaya kind of Harad is useful in treating eye disorders.

Image source: flowersofindia.net

Baheda - This tree is commonly found lining the roads especially in central and southern India. Baheda is used to strengthen hair, and also impart a black color. It also cures pink eye or conjunctivitis. It is also used in other eye ailments like shortsightedness, cornea opacity, cataract and eye infections as well.

Image source: pixshark.com

Yashti Madhu - Licorice is often claimed as god's gift to mankind for all its myriad uses. It also promotes healthy eyesight and relieves burning sensation in the eyes.

Rasaut - It is mostly used to treat eye diseases. It keeps the eyes feeling fresh as well.

Image source: flickriver.com

Review:

After reading the benefits of each of the ingredients, it is no wonder that it claims to indulge, relax and soothe the eyes with each and every application. 

The kajal comes in a unique lipstick kind of silver colored bullet with a plastic black base and a transparent cap, unlike the traditional pots of kajal usually found in India. The packaging is quite striking and looks very good. It's only when you read "Patanjali Kajal" on the cap that you can believe that even an Ayurvedic product can come in sleek packages. The Kajal is all of just 3 g and it is mounted as a sharp cone which makes precise application easier.

The product itself is soft, just like you would expect a typical Indian kajal to be, unlike the cosmetic Kohl which is much harder and waxier in consistency. The color payoff is also gentle and not stark like a Kohl, but a gentler payoff complements an Indian warm skin tone and facial features like no other, because Indians have a soft facial structure. The jet black kohls look really good on pale beauties, enhancing the contrast. However on a darker Indian skin tone, they would only highlight the darkness in the skin tone, rather than enhance the beauty of it. So, the color payoff is just perfect.

Thanks to the pointed edge of the kajal, I have even used it to line my eyes like I would use an eye liner. It makes for thin, beautifully lined eyes, typical of the way traditional kajal is applied, not smothered as a thick line that Kohl is used. Just a thin, black line, outlining the big beautiful eyes is enough to complement any Indian dame (or any dame, for a simple, understated beauty).

Coming to its no smudge, no smear claim. Well, which oil & wax based product does not smudge or smear? This one is based in an ointment, even then its staying power is commendable. It lasts a good 4 - 5 hours, and even then it does not smudge or smear all over the eyes. It gradually lightens until it is not visible. Such a saver! No more raccoon eyes. Bye, bye Panda eyes!

Given these benefits and the product itself, it is well worth every money spent on it - which is quite reasonable at Rs 90 for a 3 g kajal.

The only downside that I see is also the packaging and shape of the kajal. It is suitable for direct application on the eyes which greatly reduces its shelf life because obviously it is in contact with the bacteria in the eyes. Indirect application using clean finger tips would help lengthen the shelf life of kajals.