What is kohl?
Q: What is kohl?
A: Kohl is an ancient eye cosmetic traditionally made by grinding stibnite (Sb2S3), used to contour, darken the eyelids and as mascara for the eyelashes.
Q: Where is kohl widely used?
A: Kohl is widely used in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.
Q: Who uses kohl mostly?
A: Kohl is worn mostly by women, but also by some men and children.
Q: How long has kohl been used as a cosmetic?
A: Kohl has been used for a long time as a cosmetic, with depictions of high status women and goddesses in Ancient Egypt.
Q: What do the recipes to prepare kohl include?
A: The content of kohl and the recipes to prepare it vary greatly. Homemade kohl in North Africa and the Middle East is often made by grinding galena (lead sulfide). In the west, soot or organic charcoal may be used instead of lead.
Q: What else is added to kohl in addition to the carbon powder?
A: Plant oils and the soot from various nuts, seeds, and gum resins are often added to the carbon powder.
Q: What type of kohl is still popular despite the availability of newer products?
A: Handmade, lead-based kohl continues to be popular, as the non-lead products do not give as good a result as the older, traditional varieties.
