Make-up junkie or not, eyeliner or kajal is the basic essential most of us women depend on for the quickest way to go from drab to fab. It’s weird how one black line can transform your entire look, but if you’ve done it, you’ll vouch for it (let’s just call it black magic). Make-up can be expensive but you don’t have to shell out too much just for the basics. We’ve listed out the cheapest yet best eyeliners in India under 200 for you.

Maybelline New York Colossal Kajal

In the world of roll-on eyeliners under 200, Maybelline usually features at the top of the list. It’s easy to use, has a dark black colour and lasts long. On the downside, it isn’t smudge proof, as it claims to be so you might want to keep a check on your lids.

Maybelline Colossal Kajal Price in India: Rs 180Buy it here. 

Himalaya Herbal Kajal

The Himalaya Herbal Kajal comes in a sort of lipstick form and is essentially a cylindrical block of kajal. This one’s pretty dark too, as Indian kajals tend to be and is made of all-natural ingredients so you can be rest assured you’re not subjecting your eyes to any unnecessary chemicals. However, it’s bound to get blunt with use and hence isn’t very easy to apply on the lids after a while. It works well for the waterline throughout its life.

Himalaya Herbal Kajal Price: Rs 45Buy it here. 

Lakme Eyeconic Kajal Original

There was a time when Lakme was the only eyeliner available in the Indian market (barring the local hashmi and home-made variants). They started off with a thick pencil stick but have now graduated to a sleeker, retractable version which can be used both on the lids as well as on the waterline. Apart from the classic black, they’ve also got brown, blue, turquoise and regal green.

The application is smooth and the colour stays on throughout the day. If you have oily eyelids though, it can be prone to smudging.

Lakme Eyeconic Price in India: Rs 180Buy it here. 

Nykaa Kajal Eyeliner

Nykaa is fast becoming a household name and it’s hard to go wrong when it comes to their products. Their kajal eyeliner is their most basic, no-frills product which does exactly what it sets out to: It’s easy to glide on, gives the finish of a gel liner and keeps your eyes kohl-ed up all day.

Nykaa Kajal Eyeliner Price: Rs 199Buy it here. 

Faces Kajal Magneteyes

Those with oily eyelids, this eyeliner’s for you. It doesn’t smudge, stays true to its claim of being waterproof and gives a smooth, professional finish. It can however really feel at home on your lids and not come off too easily - in this case, just use a dab of Vaseline and rub it off with cotton.

Faces Kajal Magneteyes Price: Rs 179

Buy it here. 

Vega Eye Glam Kajal

Vega is better known for its hair brushes so we’re not really sure what it’s doing on the list but they’ve somehow mastered the perfect kajal stick. The applicator stick is not too broad and not too narrow and gives the perfect line. The brand claims it’s great for contact lense wearers.

Oh also, the kajal comes with a free brush.

Vega Eye Glam Kajal Price: Rs 199Buy it here. 

Wet N Wild Colour Icon Pencil

Wet N Wild isn’t a brand we’re too acquainted but this product’s a gem. The pencil liner isn’t poke-y, has a very cream texture and works well on the waterline, on the lids and even as an eyebrow pencil. All this at just Rs 135! It’s also available in brown, nude and white, in case you want to mix things up.

Wet n Wild Colour Icon Pencil Price in India: Rs 135

Buy it here. 

Iba Halal Kajal

Iba Halal is a vegan, cruelty-free brand, free of any chemicals or parabens. Made it all-organic ingredients, this kohl stick gives off a highly-pigmented colouring, stays for hours and doesn’t smudge easily.

Iba Halal Kajal Price: Rs 199

Buy it here.

So there you have it, a big fat list of kajal eyeliners in India, under 200. Now remember, just like there’s no “one size that fits all”, there’s no one kajal which is going to work wonders for everyone. There are a lot of factors that make a difference - whether your skin is oily or dry, your complexion and of course in general, your style of applying and your preference of how you want the eyeliner to look.

These are just the simplest yet most effective kajal eyeliners in India which according to us, are good daily players. But if you’re looking to take the next step in your make-up journey, these may prove to be too basic. But we’d say, start small. Practice your stroke; start with simple straight lines, play with the thickness of it. Figure out whether you like narrow sleek lines gliding across your lids or thicker bold outlines to really make those eyes pop.

These eyeliners under 200 will always remain a part of your beauty regime, no matter how much of a pro you become. The next step is winged eyeliner and we’re going to soon bring you a list of products to get the best results, very soon. Stay tuned to the Beauty section of Daily Poutine.