A black eye pencil must be precise, intense and resistant, but also safe for a delicate area such as the eye contour. However, a new test has highlighted that several products on the market present some critical issues.
The Swiss magazine Bon à Savoir analyzed 12 black kohl pencils from very popular brands, evaluating both their quality of application and composition. The result is not very reassuring: only three products obtained a positive opinion, while many others showed problems related to the performance of the make-up or the presence of substances under observation.
Some well-known brands also ended up among the worst pencils, as well as products sold with a more natural or organic image.
@Bon à Savoir
Kiko Milano and Nyx failed for surrender
Among the products that obtained the lowest ratings we find the Kiko Milano and Nyx pencils. In both cases the main problem emerged during the practical test.
Experts found it difficult to use, with less resistant tips, less precise application and a greater tendency for the line to smudge over the course of the day. For a product designed to define the look, these aspects had a negative impact on the final evaluation.
Lacura Cosmetics and Lavera: watch out for nickel and siloxanes
Some of the most problematic results instead concern the chemical composition.
The Lacura Cosmetics pencil, sold by Aldi, was penalized by the presence of nickel: the laboratory detected a concentration of 7.6 mg/kg, a higher value than that found in most of the other products analyzed.
D5 (decamethylcyclopentesimoloxane) was also identified in the product, a silicone compound subject to restrictions due to its environmental impact.
An even more critical result concerns Lavera Soft Eyeliner black 01, a pencil presented as natural. The product showed a nickel concentration of 14 mg/kg, as well as the presence of D5, finishing among the worst in the test. The case is particularly interesting because it demonstrates that the wording “natural” is not always sufficient to guarantee a composition free of problematic elements.
Benecos also disappoints despite the natural image
Benecos Kajal Natural Black also appears among the rejected products. The pencil, chosen by those who often look for cosmetics with a greener profile, was penalized by the presence of D5.
The company explained that the contamination could be linked to the production process, during which silicone materials may be used to process the kajal paste.
The nickel problem in eye cosmetics
Nickel is one of the most delicate aspects that emerged from the test. This metal can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people and its presence in cosmetics is therefore an important element to evaluate. The laboratory found traces of nickel in all 12 pencils analyzed. In most cases the levels were low, but two products showed higher concentrations: Lacura Cosmetics with 7.6 mg/kg and Lavera with 14 mg/kg. For those with a sensitivity to nickel, these results may represent an additional reason to pay attention to the choice of products used daily.
A high price or a famous brand does not guarantee quality
The test also shows that cost and brand reputation are not always indicative of final quality. Some cheap products performed better than more expensive cosmetics, while some well-known pencils showed problems in the practical test.
The choice of a kajal pencil should therefore take into account not only the color or advertising promise, but also the composition and actual performance of the product.
