As fashion and beauty pull inspiration from previous eras, the current trends feel a lot like deja vu. From drop-waist dresses to balloon pants, nothing is too “cheugy”, and everything can be revived. The latest fascination with kohl eyes is the recent revival.
Make no mistake, kohl has been a staple within the MENA and South Asain region since 3500 BC. What we’re talking about is the mainstream appeal that feels like a revival of the early 00s makeup trends, where waterlines were tightened with kohl, eyeshadow, or eyeliner. Pop culture has plenty of examples to back this up. In the Arab world, singer Haifa Wehbe had her bold and ferocious eyes all over screens in the early 00s. Whereas Western pop-punk stars like Avril Lavigne and Amy Lee of the band Evanescence also popularised dark makeup beyond the Arab world.
In a way, kohl eyes is a continuation of the dark feminine makeup trend that was all the rage last year. Keeping the eyes and leaving behind the sharp contour, replacing it with a soft glam that offers a striking juxtaposition, it’s an evolution that suits the next seasons.
And for the internet, nothing happens in confinement. For some, kohl eyes could be the result of early 00s pop culture revival, for others, it’s an evolution of the dark feminine. For another certain group, it’s the result of the term ‘Indian Baddie’ trending online. Going viral last month as singer Tyla performed in India, the term brought on many heated conversations online. But for some, it was the push needed to try their hand at South Asian beauty practices. With bold brows and rosy cheeks that teeter to blush blindness territory, we can see this becoming an easy summer look for those looking to be fun but also fierce.
For those indulging in kohl-rimmed eyes for the first time, we would recommend putting the eyeliner (or eyeshadow) down and picking up a tub of natural kohl, also known as Ithmid kohl. Different regions will have different natural ingredients but the benefits remain the same. Protecting the eyes, stimulating eyelash growth, and preventing infections are some of the benefits you can expect with Ithmid kohl. Synthetic kohl pencils will also give the desired effect of sultry eyes, so there’s no need to dismiss them if you’re tight on options. There is also the South Asian sister, kajal, which is not as intense in its colour payoff but is buildable and creamy, making it easier to apply.
Playing around with kohl eyes also means a lesson on intensity, i.e. which situations need an intense eye. Almost all kohl eye looks start with tightlining and for an everyday natural look, a tightline along the water line is all you need to make the eyes pop. But for special occasions, add an extra swipe or two, blending with a small brush to give off that dramatic smoky eye. To add more oomph, add some lashes and a light coat of mascara to avoid overpowering the eyes. Same with the rest of the makeup; keep it simple, otherwise we’ve circled back to dark feminine makeup. When it comes to lips, nude, matte lips are commonly paired with intense kohl eyes, but there’s harm in modernising the look with a glossy pout.
Either way, expect a new surge of confidence that comes with kohl eyes, which would explain why the striking look here is a staple practice.
