Hello Ladies,
Today I am here to review a kajal (kohl) for you all.
I have been using a kajal pencil lately that I am not liking very much. The regular sharpening and the irritation it causes my eyes are the main reasons why I have been looking for a different option. This time, I wanted to pick a kajal that does not require sharpening and won't make my eyes sting or water, especially since I wear contact lenses frequently. After looking through a few options online, I finally decided to buy Maybelline New York The Colossal Kajal 24 Hr Smudge Proof Deep Black.
There are several reasons why I chose this specific product. One - Maybelline New York is one of the most trusted cosmetic brands in the world, second - the kajal is contact lens friendly, third - it is enriched with soothing aloe vera and fourth - it claims to stay in place for 24 hours without smudging.
I have been using Maybelline New York The Colossal Kajal 24 Hr for about 2 weeks now, and honestly, it is far better than the kajal pencil I used before. While some of the tall claims made by the brand, like lasting a literal 24 hour without any smudging, does not completely hold true, it is still an excellent choice if you want a rich, dark black kajal that is long-lasting and doesn't irritate or cause watery eyes.
Before I share more details, let us go through the standard routine of informing you more about the product, my personal experience, and what I liked and didn't like about it.
About Maybelline New York The Colossal Kajal 24 Hr
Maybelline New York The Colossal Kajal 24 Hr with Aloe Vera comes in very similar packaging to their previous 12 Hr version. It features a bright yellow, elongated oval blister pack made of sturdy cardboard and plastic. The bold black text against the bright yellow background makes the product look quite catchy and attractive on shelves.
The printed text on the package is also pretty straightforward and easy to read. The brand name 'Maybelline New York The Colossal Kajal' is the very first thing that catches your eye. Apart from the price, the words 'Lasts 24 Hr', 'Smudge Proof, Deep Black', 'Black Fix Formula' 'With Aloe Vera' and 'Ophthalmologically Tested' (meaning it is safe for your eyes) are some other important details printed on the front of the packaging.
On the back of the packaging, there is a lot of information summarized under different headings. Since it is not possible for me to write down everything, I have attached a picture above so you can see it all clearly.
Under the heading Colossal Intensity, the features of the kajal are given in a gist. Under Colossal Care, the brand gives you information about the key ingredients in the kajal that help care for your eyes. The Colossal Tips section tells you how to use the kajal to get a sharp and defined look while the Colossal Effects section gives you different ideas and techniques in which you can create unique eye makeup looks using this dependable kajal.
My Review
Once you get rid of the outer packaging, you are left with a sturdy and slim looking yellow coloured pencil kajal with a securely fitted cap. Look-wise, this kajal stick is attractive and bright, and also incredibly travel-friendly. Because of its sleek design, you can easily slip it into your wallet, handbag, purse, or makeup bag without taking up any space.
This kajal features a simple twist-up mechanism that works quite smoothly. On twisting it up, it reveals a jet 'black' shade of kajal in a convenient retractable pencil.
Similarly, applying this kajal is also very easy. The formula effortlessly glides across your waterline, as well as your upper and lower lash lines without tugging. However, I noticed that you need to swipe the kajal at least twice, to get a perfectly clean line on your waterline. If you want a bold and glamorous look, just add a couple of extra swipes of this kajal and you are ready to go.
Some of the other positives of this kajal are that it is decently pigmented (delivers a beautiful, rich black color) and doesn't irritate your eyes or leave them feeling dry (thanks to the aloe vera present in it). It also settles into a neat matte finish, shortly after application. Overall, the smooth texture of this kajal makes it easy to experiment with different eye looks.
Now let me tell you about a small experiment I did. Since I heard so much about its smudge-proof, waterproof, and 24-hour claims, I wanted to test them out for myself.
So, one afternoon, I applied the kajal on my waterline and upper lash line, with the sole intention of keeping it on for a full 24 hours. Here is how it held up over time:
* After 5 hours, the kajal stayed intact without smudging, which I thought was pretty good.
* Post 7 hours, I noticed the kajal started to fade very slightly along my waterline, though it wasn't enough to look bothersome.
* After 10 hours, the kajal on my waterline faded some more and I noticed very slight smudging near my lower lash area. However, the kajal in my upper lash line remained intact.
Before going to sleep, I washed my face with my regular face wash. The kajal didn't smudge because of water, which confirmed that it is waterproof. However, if you use makeup remover or safe alternatives to makeup remover like coconut oil or olive oil, it comes off easily.
To finish my 24-hour experiment, I decided to sleep with the remaining kajal on. By morning, the smudginess around my lower lashes had increased, but thankfully, it didn't look messy or like I had dark under eye circles. While the kajal in the waterline had mostly faded, the upper lash line was still intact.
In short, the kajal is indeed long-lasting, but it does not stay perfectly well for 24 hours without smudging or fading. That said, the waterproof claim is absolutely true!
Pros and Cons
Like any beauty product, this Maybelline kajal also has its share of hits and misses. Here is my quick summary:
Pros: It is long-lasting, highly waterproof, and deeply pigmented. It is also incredibly budget-friendly at around Rs. 180/- (though you can often find it at discounted rates on Amazon, Nykaa, and other selected online stores). Most importantly, it is gentle on sensitive eyes and doesn't cause any dryness or irritation.
Cons: The claim that it stays perfectly well for full 24 hours without smudging is definitely exaggerated. Also, while the packaging highlights those key caring ingredients, a full, detailed ingredient list isn't completely spelled out on the back. This is a bit disappointing, since you don't know exactly what goes into the product.
My Ratings
I would rate it 4.5/5. Overall, Maybelline New York The Colossal 24 Hr Kajal successfully delivers on most of its claims. It is far better than my previous pencil kajal, as it gives a gorgeous, rich black look that stays for long hours without irritating my eyes.
If you are looking for a pocket-friendly and dependable kajal for daily use, this one is absolutely worth a try. Am I going to buy it again? Sure, why not!
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