Kohl, Kajal, Al-Kahal, Surma, Tiro, Tozali, or Kwalli: By Any Name, Beware of Lead Poisoning". Food and Drug Administration . Retrieved 2017-10-26.

More to Know: Though it has a silky texture that approximates liquid liner, it’s easy to smudge for a smoky, lived-in look.A Tamil woman applying kohl on her son in India Traditional kohl (kaajal) container in silver in South India a b c d Hardy AD, Vaishnav R, Al-Kharusi SS, Sutherland HH, Worthing MA (April 1998). "Composition of eye cosmetics (kohls) used in Oman". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 60 (3): 223–34. doi: 10.1016/S0378-8741(97)00156-6. PMID 9613836. Intirapālā, Kārttikēcu (2005). The evolution of an ethnic identity: the Tamils in Sri Lanka c. 300 BCE to c. 1200 CE. M.V. Publications for the South Asian Studies Centre, Sydney. p.63. ISBN 9780646425467. Denika Bedrossian is a celebrity makeup artist behind some of Hailey Bieber’s, Jenna Dewan’s, and Sarah Hyland’s most infamous looks. Although the addition of lead to cosmetics may seem absurd due to its known toxicity, with some pitying the “devastation” kohl must have cause in ancient Egypt, these compounds were not harmful and did actually provide beneficial medicinal roles (Hallmann 2009, 71-2). A biomedical study, which made the news in 2010, ended controversy over the harmful effects of kohl. By analysing various samples found in Egyptian tombs and recreating ancient recipes, reported by Greco-Roman authors, scientists were able to test the effects of these led compounds on skin cells. Amazingly instead of causing lead poisoning, these lead compounds instead triggered an overproduction of nitrogen monoxide (NO o), which stimulates nonspecific immunological defences. This data suggests that the daily wearing of kohl made Egyptian eyes almost immediately resistant to bacterial infections due to the spontaneous response of immune cells. Although concerns about the toxicity of lead, overshadowed its benefits, this study proves that the lead compounds found in kohl did in fact serve a significant medicinal function. Tapsoba therefore argues that these compounds were deliberately manufactured and used in cosmetics to prevent and treat eye diseases (Tapsoba et al. 2010, 457-60). Galena and these other lead sulphides also provide protection from Egypt’s harsh sun by providing a shield from its glare and harmful UV rays (Pak 2009, 109). The addition of these various ingredients to kohl supports the magical protective beliefs of Egyptians and shows an understanding of ancient physicians of the many benefits this cosmetic possessed.

Wendi Miyake is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and men’s groomer whose clients include Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, and Madonna. In Yorùbá, it is known as Tiro, [1] [2] and in Hausa, it is also known as tozali and kwalli. [3] Middle East and North Africa [ edit ] An 18th Dynasty Ancient Egyptian kohl container inscribed for Queen Tiye (1410–1372 BCE) Ophthalmology of the Pharaohs: Antimicrobial Kohl Eyeliner in Ancient Egypt". Discover . Retrieved 2021-12-05. Additional guidance was provided by Jamie Greenberg, a celebrity makeup artist based in Los Angeles who works with clients including Chelsea Handler and Kaley Cuoco.

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Tapsoba. I., Arbault. S., Walter. P., and Amatore. C. (2010). ‘ Finding Out Egyptian Gods’ Secret Using Analytical Chemistry: Biomedical Properties of Egyptian Makeup Revealed by Amperometry and Single Cells,’ Letters to Analytical Chemistry 82, 457-460.

Kohl is also applied in parts of West Africa by the Fulani, the Hausa people, the Tuareg, and the Yoruba. [1] [2] [20] In addition, it is used by the Wolof, Mandinka, Soninke, Dagomba, Kanuri, and other predominantly Muslim inhabitants of the Sahel and Sahara regions. Kohl is used by both sexes, and by people of all ages, mainly during weddings, Islamic festivals (such as Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha), and trips to the mosque for the weekly Jumuah congregational prayer. Kohl has also been used in Yemen as a cosmetic for a long time. In addition, mothers would apply kohl to their infants' eyes soon after birth. Some did this to "strengthen the child's eyes", and others believed it could prevent the child from being cursed by the evil eye. [16] Kohl or Kajal: Greenberg points out that kohl and kajal mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably. Seeing either term on a pencil is a sign that it has that silky, easy-to-smudge texture you're after.Katheryne S. Loughran, Somalia in word and image, (Foundation for Cross Cultural Understanding: 1986), p.166.

In the United States, kohl is not on the list of color additives approved by the Food and Drug Administration, which considers kohl unsafe for use due to its potential lead content. It is illegal to import into, or sell in, the United States. [36] See also [ edit ] al-Hazzaa SA, Krahn PM (1995). "Kohl: a hazardous eyeliner". International Ophthalmology. 19 (2): 83–88. doi: 10.1007/BF00133177. PMID 8586501. S2CID 33603176.

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Pak. J. (2009), ‘ Review Kohl (Surma): Retrospect and Prospect’, Pharmaeutical Sciences 22, 107-122. The ancient Egyptians, documented in the Ebers Papyrus ( c. 1550 BCE), discuss these compounds within kohl as protective for the eyes. Indeed, kohl was used an eyeliner and cosmetic. There are a number of endemic ocular diseases in the Nile region including trachoma – which is caused by a chlamydial bacterium and can cause corneal scarring – and conjunctival cicatricial disease, with visual loss. Kohl was used not only as a cosmetic but also as a medicinal collyrium (from Greek kollurion). Two of kohl's lead compounds – the lead chlorides laurionite and phosgenite – were not natural to the Nile valley. It is believed they were intentionally synthesized by the ancient Egyptians for this purpose. The widespread use of kohl across the Mediterranean and the Middle East attests to its ability to protect the eye from infectious disease and be used as a cosmetic. [34] [35] Legal status [ edit ]