Natural Kajal from Puja Wicks: Step-by-Step Guide, Safety Tips, and the Tradition Behind It

Grandmothers did not need a makeup aisle to line their eyes. They burned a lamp, caught the soot, and mixed a tiny pot of liner that lasted months. As clean beauty trends grow and people cut back on chemicals, more families are going back to that simple trick—making homemade natural kajal from used puja wicks. It’s low-cost, rooted in ritual, and when you follow hygiene and fire safety, it can be a reliable option for sensitive eyes.

Why this tradition still matters

The method is old, but the reasons still make sense today. You choose the oil, the wick, and any add-ins, so you control what touches your eyes. You also reuse what you already have after a prayer: the wick, a diya, and a metal plate. Nothing fancy. Nothing wasted.

There’s also the cultural thread. In many homes, turning used puja wicks into kajal is seen as respectful—giving a second life to something used in worship. Families often make it around Diwali, or when lamps are lit daily, and keep a small tin ready for festivals, travel, or everyday use.

Ayurvedic texts mention anjana (kohl-like eye applications) made from soot, herbs, and oils. Modern households keep it simpler—lamp soot plus a skin-friendly oil—but some still add gentle spices or herbs. The key is to stay practical: stick to ingredients your eyes tolerate, and keep everything clean.

Step-by-step: make natural kajal from puja wicks

Here’s a clear method you can follow at home. Read the safety notes first, set up a stable station, and never leave an open flame unattended.

What you need:

• Oils: ghee or mustard oil (about 2 tablespoons). Ghee gives a softer soot; mustard oil has a stronger scent and a slightly grippier feel.
• Wicks: 2–3 cotton wicks (or a thick wick rolled from clean cotton bandage).
• Diya: an earthen lamp or a small metal lamp.
• Plate to catch soot: copper or brass works well; steel is fine too.
• Supports: two identical bowls or cups to hold the plate above the flame.
• Mixing oil: a few drops of castor oil or almond oil for the final paste.
• Tools: a spoon/knife to scrape soot, a clean spatula, tissues.
• Container: a small, sterilized tin or glass pot with a tight lid.

Optional add-ins (use sparingly and only if your eyes tolerate them):

• Clove (laung) placed near the flame for aroma and a mild warming feel.
• Sandalwood paste (a pinch) for a cooling touch.
• Almond (1–2 crushed) or a tiny pinch of ajwain stuffed in the wick for tradition. These can change the scent and feel.
• Saffron strands for a subtle tint. It won’t make the kajal bright orange; it can deepen tone slightly.

Set up your station:

1. Work on a flat, open surface away from curtains or drafts. Lay down newspaper to catch soot or oil drips.
2. Place the diya in the center. Fill it three-quarters with ghee or mustard oil.
3. Insert the wick so it soaks well, leaving the tip out to light.
4. Keep two bowls upside down on either side of the diya. Balance the metal plate across them so it sits 2–3 inches above where the flame will be. This gap helps you get fine, dry soot instead of sticky residue.

Burn and collect soot:

1. Light the wick. Let it burn with a steady, calm flame. If it flickers, shield the area from wind.
2. Place the metal plate carefully over the supports. Soot will collect on the underside of the plate.
3. Let the wick burn out fully. Depending on wick size, this takes 30–60 minutes. Do not leave the flame unattended.
4. Turn off any nearby fans. When the flame dies, wait a few minutes for the plate to cool down.

Make the paste:

1. Lift the plate and check the underside. You should see a smooth, black layer of soot.
2. With a clean spoon or knife, gently scrape the soot into a clean bowl. A well-burnt setup usually gives you 1–2 grams—enough for months.
3. Add 2–3 drops of castor or almond oil. Mix well with a clean spatula until it forms a creamy, even paste. Go slow: add oil drop by drop. Too much oil makes it smudge; too little makes it drag on the skin.
4. Transfer to a sterilized, dry container. Close the lid tightly.

How to prep the wick if you’re adding extras:

• For a simple sandalwood touch, rub a tiny bit of sandalwood paste along the outer surface of the cotton before shaping the wick.
• If using clove, place a clove near the flame rather than inside the wick. When clove burns inside the wick, it can sputter and stain the soot.
• Avoid camphor. It can irritate eyes and isn’t worth the risk.

Texture and finish tips:

• Want a darker, grippier line? Use mustard oil in the diya and castor oil for mixing. Castor oil adds body.
• Prefer a softer, glide-on feel? Use ghee in the diya and almond oil to mix.
• If the paste looks gray, the plate sat too high or the flame was weak. Next time, lower the plate slightly and make sure the wick is soaked well.
• If the soot feels sticky or brownish, the plate sat too close or oil splattered. Raise the plate a bit and keep the flame calm.

Application:

• Wash your hands. Use a clean applicator or the back of a clean fingernail to pick a tiny amount. Do not dip a used finger back into the pot.
• For the waterline: look up, rest your elbow on a table, and gently glide a thin line across. For a smudged look, dot along the lash line and blend with a cotton bud.
• Remove at night with a drop of almond or coconut oil on a cotton pad. Don’t scrub—just hold, swipe, and done.

Safety and hygiene that actually matter:

• Sterilize your container before the first use: rinse with hot water, then alcohol if you have it, and let it air-dry fully.
• Use only wicks and lamps from your own home puja. Avoid community or temple lamps—you don’t know the handling or oil used.
• Make small batches. A teaspoon of paste can last 2–3 months. Fresher is better.
• Keep the lid shut tight. Store in a cool, dry place, away from steam and sunlight.
• Do not share kajal pots. Sharing spreads bacteria.
• If you have eye redness, itching, or discharge, stop using and see a doctor. Do not apply on active styes, conjunctivitis, or after eye surgery.
• Contact lens users: apply after wearing lenses, not before. If lenses feel cloudy, skip kajal that day.
• Avoid on infants and toddlers. Their eyes are sensitive, and hygiene is hard to guarantee.
• Fire safety: never leave the diya unattended. Keep hair tied back and sleeves rolled. Keep a metal lid nearby to smother flames if needed.

How long it keeps:

• With clean handling and a tight lid, your pot should stay good for up to 3–6 months.
• Signs it’s time to toss: odd smell, visible moisture droplets, or any gritty feel.

Ghee vs mustard oil in the lamp:

• Ghee burns with a gentler flame and usually gives a smoother, more glide-on soot. It also has a pleasant scent.
• Mustard oil burns hotter and can lead to a slightly drier soot that clings well. The scent is stronger; some like it, some don’t.

Mixing oils:

• Castor oil gives a dense, rich line that resists smudging a bit better.
• Almond oil feels lighter and nourishing. If you have nut allergies, skip it and use castor oil.

Common mistakes and quick fixes:

• Kajal smudges by noon: you added too much mixing oil, or the paste is too creamy. Rebalance with a pinch more soot.
• Hard to apply: add one more drop of oil and mix well to smoothen.
• Uneven color: your flame was inconsistent. Next batch, keep the setup draft-free and the plate at a steady height.
• Eyes water: check if you added clove or strong spices. Make a plain batch and patch-test on your arm before eye use.

Is homemade kajal safer than store-bought? It depends on how you make and store it. Many commercial kohls are tested and consistent, but some imported “surma/kohl” products have been flagged for heavy metals. Homemade kajal made from lamp soot and skin-safe oils avoids additives like preservatives and synthetic waxes, but it is not sterile. Clean tools and small batches reduce risk. If you have sensitive eyes or a history of infections, check with your eye doctor first.

When to skip it: if you have blepharitis, frequent styes, active allergies around the eyes, recent LASIK/cataract surgery, or if your job demands dust-heavy environments where eye rubbing is common. In these cases, any liner—homemade or not—can be a trigger.

Ritual meets zero-waste: using wicks from daily puja or festival lamps turns a simple moment into a daily-use beauty item. It’s a tiny pot on your dresser, but it carries craft, memory, and care. If you follow the steps, keep things clean, and respect the flame, you’ll get an inky, smooth kajal that feels personal—and earns its place in your routine.