Beauty Maybelline Colossal Kajal vs Rimmel Scandaleyes: Kohl Winner
Maybelline Colossal Kajal and Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal are two top selling kohl pencils. Both promise intense black waterline color. We compared pigment, wear time, comfort and price.
| Factor | Maybelline The Colossal Kajal Eye Pencil | Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal |
|---|---|---|
| Pigment intensity | Deep black, one swipe | Deep black, one swipe |
| Waterproof claim | Water resistant | Fully waterproof |
| Waterline wear | 4 to 6 hours | 6 to 8 hours |
| Smudge factor | Smudges for smoky looks | Sets fast, less smudge |
| Tip format | Twist up, no sharpener | Twist up, no sharpener |
| Price | Check price | Check price |
| Sensitive eyes | Gentle, low sting | Can sting watery eyes |
| Overall winner | Best value kohl | Best waterproof |
Our Verdict
Maybelline Colossal Kajal wins on value and comfort, with a great two pack price and gentle formula. Rimmel Scandaleyes wins on waterproof wear for long days and humid weather. Pick Maybelline for everyday kohl eyes. Pick Rimmel when you need your waterline to survive sweat, tears or rain.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Soft brown kohl looks for work and daytime.
Laura Geller Kajal Longwear Eyeliner, Dark Brown
- Longwear kajal formula
- Soft dark brown shade
- Creamy waterproof glide
- Precision tip design
Pros
- Softer alternative to black
- Stays put for hours
- Great for daytime smoky eyes
Cons
- Premium price point
- Single pencil, no backup
- Needs sharpening
Best for: Dramatic black kohl eyes with premium staying power.
Laura Geller Kajal Longwear Eyeliner, Deep Black
- Intense deep black pigment
- Waterproof longwear formula
- Smooth creamy application
- Suitable for waterline use
Pros
- Rich one swipe black
- Excellent staying power
- Luxury feel and packaging
Cons
- Higher cost per pencil
- Requires sharpener
- Can be hard to remove fully
Best for: Waterline perfectionists who want all day intense black.
VASANTI Kajal Waterline Eyeliner Pencil, Intense Black
- Designed specifically for the waterline
- Intense black long wear color
- Waterproof and smudge proof
- Paraben free formula
Pros
- Made for inner rim use
- Does not fade quickly
- Gentle on sensitive eyes
Cons
- Premium price
- Limited availability of shades
- Tip needs frequent sharpening
Want the Full Picture?
Eyeliner for Contact Lens Wearers: The Specifics
Contact lens wearers face eyeliner problems that general guides reduce to a line. The core issue is migration: pencil and kohl particles can travel onto the lens, causing the gritty discomfort that leads to eye rubbing, which dislodges the lens. The insertion order matters: put lenses in before applying liner, never after, so any stray product stays outside the lens rather than getting trapped underneath during insertion.
Tightlining demands extra care with lenses, since the product sits closest to the eye: use a smooth, non-crumbly kohl like the Colossal Kajal here, apply with light pressure, and stop if the eyes water, since tearing washes particles toward the lens. Waterproof formulas migrate less than soft kohls, making them the safer choice for lens wearers despite the harder removal. Remove makeup before removing lenses at night. For the sensitive-eye kajal options, our kajal for sensitive eyes guide is the targeted read.
Lining Mature, Crepey Eyelids
Loose eyelid skin defeats standard liner technique, which assumes a smooth, taut surface. The adapted method: gently stretch the lid taut with a fingertip while applying, use short connecting strokes rather than one long drag, which skips less on textured skin, and choose a creamy kohl that grips instead of a dry pencil that skips. The Colossal Kajal's soft texture suits this need well.
Placement that stays visible: keep the line slightly thicker than you think necessary, since the fold swallows thin lines, and focus the definition at the outer two-thirds, where it remains visible when the lid folds. Avoid the inner corner precision that crepey skin makes impossible, and set the line with a matching eyeshadow to prevent the migration that loose skin encourages. For the waterproof pencil that holds on textured lids, our waterproof eye pencil guide covers the category.
Waterproof Liner for Swimmers and Athletes
Pool chlorine, sweat, and goggle pressure are the real-world tests that "waterproof" labels rarely face. The honest ranking: true waterproof pencils survive swimming with minor fading, water-resistant formulas survive sweat but not submersion, and regular kohl surrenders to both. The Colossal Kajal's longwear positioning puts it in the middle, fine for sweaty workouts, questionable for pool laps.
The swim routine: apply waterproof pencil before swimming, set with matching eyeshadow, and expect to touch up after, since no liner emerges from a pool pristine. Goggle pressure smudges even waterproof formulas at the contact points, so keep the line away from the goggle seal area. Post-swim, remove and reapply rather than layering over the faded remains. For the glide-on pencil benchmark in waterproof, our Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On guide details the waterproof range.
Kajal vs Western Pencil: Understanding the Difference
Kajal and Western eyeliner pencils come from different traditions and behave differently. Traditional kajal is softer, more pigmented, and designed for the waterline, with a smoky, diffused finish as the goal. Western pencils range from hard and precise to soft and smoky, with waterproof and longwear technologies kajal traditionally lacks. The products here bridge both: the Colossal Kajal brings kajal pigment with modern longwear, while the Rimmel Scandaleyes offers the Western pencil approach.
The choice follows the look: smoky, intense waterline definition favors kajal texture, while precise wings and all-day wear favor Western pencil technology. Many users keep both, kajal for the waterline intensity, pencil for the structured upper line. The safety note applies to both: never share eye pencils, and replace them on schedule, since eye-area bacteria risks are identical. For liquid wing precision, our Feline Flick guide covers the technique.