Every girl invests a sizable amount of money into cosmetics. Most of that money goes into eye care and eye highlighting products. We all know that the first contact with another person happens through the eyes. A beautiful pair of eyes can captivate the audience. Cosmetic companies are well aware of this and bombard the market every year with all kinds of eye products. However, what you use in your eye may have long term repercussions and you may want to rethink that kohl or mascara that you wish to pick up. If you wish to read an NCBI document regarding the issues with store made kohl, you can check this link (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003848/)
In India, kajal was always made at home. There are several ways to make the black, sooty powder and I have written about the one using Bhringraj herb. Bhringraj or Eclipta prostrata is a much celebrated herb when it comes to health. Known as 'Kehraj' in Assamese and 'Karisalankanni' in Tamil, this herb is used to improve eyesight and to treat severe eye disorders. If you consume bhringraj for 40 days, you can significantly improve your eyesight. (http://www.researchjournal.co.in/online/RKE/RKE%2012(1)/12_39-40.pdf)
Take a few leaves of the Bhringraj and squeeze out the juice. Mop the juice with a clean, pure cotton cloth and roll it into a wick. Use this wick in a clay or bronze lamp and add pure castor oil. Once you light the lamp, collect the soot 3 inches above the flame in a copper or clay plate that has been coated with freshly ground sandalwood paste. Collect the powder in a small silver or copper dibbi and use with castor or sesame oil. Unlike store bought kajal, this kajal can be used while you sleep as well. There is no requirement to remove it when you go to sleep.
There are several variations regarding this process and you can choose the one that suits you best.
a. Substituting Bhringraj with Almonds
b. Substituting Castor oil with sesame or almond oil
c. Adding a small quantity of edible camphor
d. Adding powdered sandalwood to the end product instead of coating the plate
However you make it, please do ensure perfectly hygienic conditions and remember the top 10 commandments when it comes to eye products
1. Make them at home. Over the counter products contain lead
2. Use fresh and organically sourced products
3. Kohl should not be used on babies. They are beautiful without this
4. Ensure the stick that you use is well rounded with no sharp edges
5. Applying with your clean fingers sans nails is the best way
6. Smudgeproof products sold outside contain wax and is not good for your eyes.
7. Take the time to re-apply your kajal instead of buying dubious, all-day products
8. Kajal can be nourishing for your eyes, so take the time to make it yourself
9. Castor oil has cooling properties and hence trumps other oils
10. Your eyes were created beautiful. Sleep well and rest them well.
In India, kajal was always made at home. There are several ways to make the black, sooty powder and I have written about the one using Bhringraj herb. Bhringraj or Eclipta prostrata is a much celebrated herb when it comes to health. Known as 'Kehraj' in Assamese and 'Karisalankanni' in Tamil, this herb is used to improve eyesight and to treat severe eye disorders. If you consume bhringraj for 40 days, you can significantly improve your eyesight. (http://www.researchjournal.co.in/online/RKE/RKE%2012(1)/12_39-40.pdf)Take a few leaves of the Bhringraj and squeeze out the juice. Mop the juice with a clean, pure cotton cloth and roll it into a wick. Use this wick in a clay or bronze lamp and add pure castor oil. Once you light the lamp, collect the soot 3 inches above the flame in a copper or clay plate that has been coated with freshly ground sandalwood paste. Collect the powder in a small silver or copper dibbi and use with castor or sesame oil. Unlike store bought kajal, this kajal can be used while you sleep as well. There is no requirement to remove it when you go to sleep.
There are several variations regarding this process and you can choose the one that suits you best.
a. Substituting Bhringraj with Almonds
b. Substituting Castor oil with sesame or almond oil
c. Adding a small quantity of edible camphor
d. Adding powdered sandalwood to the end product instead of coating the plate
However you make it, please do ensure perfectly hygienic conditions and remember the top 10 commandments when it comes to eye products
1. Make them at home. Over the counter products contain lead
2. Use fresh and organically sourced products
3. Kohl should not be used on babies. They are beautiful without this
4. Ensure the stick that you use is well rounded with no sharp edges
5. Applying with your clean fingers sans nails is the best way
6. Smudgeproof products sold outside contain wax and is not good for your eyes.
7. Take the time to re-apply your kajal instead of buying dubious, all-day products
8. Kajal can be nourishing for your eyes, so take the time to make it yourself
9. Castor oil has cooling properties and hence trumps other oils
10. Your eyes were created beautiful. Sleep well and rest them well.
