The First Fragrance by KAJAL - Kajal Eau de Parfum

by: Sandra Raicevic Petrovic

During all these years that I have been writing about fragrances, I have tried to be objective and to convey the most accurate information that will mean something to the reader and customer. However, there are several fragrances for which I could not hide my infatuation and I wrote about them in superlatives, just for my soul. Among them are Xerjoff Casamorati 1888 Bouquet Ideale, Pineider Orchidea Reale,Isabey Gardenia, Dior Dune,Dior Dolce Vita for which I believe that they became a part of me during the years, that they convey my style perfectly and trigger my deepest emotions. With all of them it was ‘love at first smell’, infatuation from the first drop. I have known about the house of Kajal for about a year and I heard excellent critiques, but on my recent travel to Paris expo I had the opportunity to test the perfume for the first time. Kajal is a truly fantastic creation!

The first fragrance was named Kajal, after the brand, inspired by Arabic wordKHAJAL - "the shy modesty that a woman may feel when she is recognized for her beauty". Her "kajal" seduces–as explained from the house, "She gets what she wants. She is in control". In India culture kajal also means KOHL – eye make-up that women have traditionally worn ever since the age of the pharaohs in Egypt. 

In my opinion, Kajal Eau de Parfum fits into several categories: niche - because it belongs to small private collections that want to provide customers with excellent quality and a part of their sensibility; and lux perfumery - because the ingredients used for the composition are the highest quality while the composition can be described as a kind of mainstream version of the classics from the 80s and 90s (which can rarely be surpassed by any new edition, in my opinion). This fragrance is not a replica of the fragrances from those periods but contains all the best that characterized them: specific style, excellent ingredients, a union of notes, extreme radiance and strength of the fragrance. Kajal Eau de Parfum is the embodiment of femininity and her beauty; its aura crowns a woman’s beauty while giving her additional strength and subtle seduction, neither aggressive nor improper. The composition is compact and rich: The ingredients are perfectly balanced and radiate with positive energy. The experience is like enjoying some of the finest classic fragrance compositions, not trying to detect each note but appreciating wholeness and harmony. 

The same way Kajal creates a gorgeous, fruity-floral-musky-woody blend in which no particular note stands out, there is also nothing here that bothers, repulses or complicates. Kajal's philosophy is simplicity; to create a high quality fragrance for women is the essence of its beauty and magnificence. 

KAJAL EAU DE PARFUM   perfumer: Christian Carbonnel top notes: mandarina, Amalfi lemon, Calabrian bergamot heart notes: Turkey rose, orris base notes: musk, amber, Mysore sandalwood, Madagascar vanilla, tonka bean

Official ingredients published by the house of Kajal are: Amalfi lemon, Calabian bergamot, mandarin, Turkish rose, orris, musk, amber, tonka, Madagascar vanilla, and Mysore sandalwood. In a few words, fruity and juicy mandarin is predominant at the opening, offering a sunny character. Flowers are gently powdery, intoxicating and very elegant. Creamy notes and softness originate from woods, sexy musk, and the discrete warmth of tonka and vanilla. As the fragrance develops, citruses glitter and provide irresistible freshness to the composition. An appropriate description would be that Kajal seems "sun-bathed". Everything is in full harmony and all notes appear together. Even though it was developed for the Middle Eastern perfume market, do not expect a traditional, oriental fragrance! This is the Orient in the finest and most feminine way, subtle beauty with a French signature. 

PHOTOS FROM PARIS PARFUMES RARES EXPO IN PARIS
 

The flacon of the fragrance is transparent and framed in thick glass. The body of the bottle is decorated with a silver name plate while the crown is an eight-angle stopper inspired by geometric motifs which have been used by Islamic artists and designers for ages and can be seen on almost any surface, from floors, walls, ceiling beams, lamps to book covers and other materials. This geometric shape repeats on the outer carton of Kajal in silver and bluish-purple color, creating an oriental motif. The fragrance can be purchased as a 100ml Eau de Parfum priced at 185 eur; according to the house it is currently available for purchase throughout the Middle East. We can expect more info by Kajal regarding availability of the fragrance and stores where it can be purchased in the coming months. 

Kajal is launching two new fragrances, Kajal Dahab for women and Kajal Homme for men, which I will cover in a separate article soon.

Kajal press release
Official photos and poster by Kajal
Photos from Paris expo by Sandra RaicevicPetrovic