Lakme Kajal Review

Written by Esha Saxena, MA (Mass Communication & Media Studies)  • 

Kajal holds a very high place in a women’s life, and no matter where she goes, she will always carry her favorite kajal with her. While you have been experimenting with different brands for attaining the perfect smudge-proof and long-lasting pigment, we have something that has stayed longer in the market than other brands and has impressed customers for a long decade now. That’s right, the brand is none other than Lakme, and to help you pick the best kohl, we have an honest Lakme kajal review. With our detailed analysis, you will understand why people still adore this product, even with many brands offering the same.

Lakme Kajal Review

Packaging

Lakme’s Kajal is described as an easy-to-apply pencil kajal that gives you a smooth finish and adds depth to your eye-makeup with its dark hue. The product claims to be smudge-proof and waterproof. It also claims to help your eyelashes grow longer. Like most old-school pencil liners, this one has to be sharpened once you are through with the tip. This black kajal is packaged as a jumbo eye pencil that needs to be sharpened. The product is simply wrapped in clear packaging.

Ingredients Present in Lakme Kajal

While the Lakme Kajal does not come with an ingredients list, it is mentioned online that the product contains the goodness of camphor and castor oil which help soothe your eyes. This explains the lash-growth claims as castor oil is a renowned ingredient that helps increase eyelash length.

Features And Claims

  • Lengthens your eyelashes
  • Smudge-proof
  • Waterproof
  • Soothes your eyes
  • Does not feel heavy
  • Lasts throughout the day
  • Gives you an ultra-smooth finish

Expiry Time

36 months from the date of packaging.

My Experience with Lakme Kajal – Complete Review And Performance

I’m not a frequent kajal wearer but was on the lookout for one when I came across Lakme’s Kajal. I decided to ask around to see what my friends and colleagues thought of it. While some swore by it, others weren’t too enthralled. Since I got mixed reviews, I decided to see for myself whether the kajal lived up to its claims. Here’s what I found-

While the product was extremely budget-friendly, it was the farthest thing from being smudge-proof (even after you give it time to set,) and it was one of the most disappointing cosmetic products I’ve used. It glides on well and has a smooth texture but takes multiple strokes to get to the desired darkness. It started to smudge onto my crease within the first hour of wear and lightened to a grey within the next couple of hours.

If you have oily skin, or sweat a lot, this is definitely not the right product for you and raccoon eyes are almost impossible to avoid. On the other hand, if you have dry skin and dig the smokey eye look, this product might just work for you. And since the kajal smudges so easily, it is super easy to remove.

As opposed to the claims made by the brand, the kajal did feel a bit heavy, and I was extremely aware of my eyes until the product smudged off. However, this could have been because I’m used to wearing liquid eyeliner.

As for the lash-growth claims, it’s hard to say as I haven’t used the liner long enough to notice any results. However, since the kajal contains camphor and castor oil, it might just improve the volume and length of your lashes.

Overall, the product did not live up to its claims but is worth the money if you want a liner that will give you a good smokey eye look.

How Long Does It Stay On?

The swatch on the left in the photo above is how the kajal looked immediately after application (with 3 strokes), and the swatch on the right is 3 hours after application. By this, it’s safe to say that it is almost impossible to keep this liner from smudging for more than three hours.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Travel-friendly
  • Glides on well
  • Doesn’t flake
  • Wipes off easily
  • Will last you for at least 4 months
  • Does not irritate your waterline
  • Perfect for a smokey eye

Cons

  • Smudges off quickly
  • Is likely to leave you with raccoon eyes
  • Needs to be used with primer
  • The tip doesn’t stay sharp enough for good precision
  • A lot of product goes to waste while sharpening
  • Settles in fine lines

How To Apply Lakme Kajal Perfectly?

For Your Waterline:

  1. Gently pull down your lower lid with your index finger to expose your waterline.
  2. Dry your waterline with a q-tip. Be careful not to poke your eye as you do this.
  3. Run the kajal along your waterline.
  4. Clean up any smudges with the q-tip.

How To Use Lakme Kajal As Eyeliner?

  1. Sharpen your pencil for precise application.
  2. Placing a finger on the outer corner of your lash line, pull gently so that your skin is taut.
  3. Run the kajal along your lash line starting at the inner corner and working your way to the outer corner.

How To Remove?

  1. Select a makeup remover that is meant for removing eye makeup.
  2. Saturate a cotton pad with the makeup remover.
  3. Place the cotton pad onto your eye and hold it there for about 20 seconds.
  4. Start wiping off the liner with gentle downward strokes.

Alternatively, you could follow the same steps using makeup remover wipes or baby wipes.

Considering that the kajal has really bad lasting power, I would rate it 2/5.

However, if you have dry skin and would like to use it to achieve a smokey eye look, you can get here
Buy Now

Do I Recommend It?

As I mentioned before, if you like a casual smokey eye look I would say go for it and buy this product. Since I prefer products that do not smudge, I am unlikely to repurchase it.

Using the Lakme Kajal reminded me of the little tubs of eyetex that were in most households when I was growing up. While it does have a nostalgic feel to it, I prefer using smudge-proof makeup, and this product just does not deliver. However, the things I do not like about this product might be things that are sought by another. Have you used Lakme Kajal? Tell me about what you like/dislike about it in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How easy is it to remove Lakme Kajals at the end of the day?

Lakme Kajals are long-lasting and waterproof, so are difficult to remove with regular soap and water. Therefore, use an oil-based makeup remover or micellar water to wipe off the kajals at the end of the day.

Are Lakme Kajals suitable for everyday wear or special occasions?

Yes. Lakme Kajals are suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions. Use them to line your lash lines to create a simple but elegant look for daily use or create wings for a more dramatic eye makeup for special events.

Can a Lakme Kajal be used to create winged eyeliner or cat-eye looks?

Yes. Use a Lakme Kajal to create winged eyeliner or cat-eye looks. Apply it along the upper lash lines and stretch the line upward and forth to achieve the desired effect.

Are Lakme Kajals tested on animals?

No. Lakme Kajals are cruelty-free.

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