Kohl me, maybe

India's love for kajal, soorma and eyeliner just won't budge. Celebrate beauty's dark side with tips, techniques, memories and, of course, recommendations from some of our fav peeps

- Shraddha Chowdhury

Kajal, kohl, soorma. When it comes to Black eyeliner, everyone’s got something to say. It’s the first item of makeup Indians try. It’s the last thing we’ll give up from our kits. “I feel naked without it!” says singer Pratichee Mohapatra. There’s no such thing as too black. And the quest for a darker, smoother, longer-wearing, non-smudging, easy smoking, matte, glossy, wing-making, waterproof liner is the stuff of epics.

Grandmums have created prized in-house formulas from lamp soot and ghee. Bollywood and fashion love it. It unites Sufi and rock musicians backstage. And nearly every user – male, female, non-binary – has faced its wrath: in the form of raccoon eyes or the imprint of still-wet liner on the upper eyelid.

At HT Brunch, we’re going all out, all black, to honour the beauty product we treasure as much as we take for granted. Memories, recommendations, tips, confessions and more from the coolest folks.

ANKUSH BAHUGUNA, digital creator and actor

"We've seen men wear kajal and soorma for ages, so it's always been accepted. Having said that, more men are getting comfortable wearing makeup, and kajal is usually their first step. I first tried on some after watching Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat (2018) and trying to recreate his look.

My first was the Lakmé Eyeconic. The Kay by Katrina kajals are also excellent and don't budge! The Estée Lauder one stays through the day too."

ZEENAT KULAVOOR, designer and typographer