Which Satin Kajal Liner shade should you choose for your eye colour (and skin tone)?

Boasting a creamy, luxurious texture that glides effortlessly across the eyelid, a waterproof formula that stands up to tears and heat, and – above all – intense pigmentation for instant definition, there’s no doubt about it: Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Satin Kajal Liner is the ultimate makeup must-have. Designed to brighten the eyes while caring for the delicate eye area, its skin-loving formula is enriched with soothing Chamomile Extract, hydrating Panthenol and antioxidant Vitamin E. This makes it particularly suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. And then there’s the detail that makes all the difference: its built-in smudger tip, perfect for softening precise lines and creating a smoky effect in seconds.

To understand why some kohl shades make your eyes look more awake than others, it helps to go back to one simple principle: the colour wheel. This timeless tool arranges colours in a circle based on three primary shades (red, blue and yellow) – the combinations of which create secondary shades (orange, green and violet) which in turn give rise to tertiary colours. On the colour wheel, so-called ‘complementary’ colours sit opposite one another: blue and orange, red and green, yellow and violet.

The key takeaway is the concept of contrast: two complementary colours, when placed side by side, visually intensify one another rather than blend together.

To accentuate green eyes, colour theory naturally points towards warm reds, coppers and browns, which sit opposite green on the colour wheel.

Try: Bordeaux for an elegant deep red, Cinnamon for a warm russet brown, Terracotta for a more matte, sun-tinged tone, or Cocoa for an effortless everyday look.

A quick tip: green shades of the Satin Kajal Liner, such as Sequin Green or Olive, can look stunning on green eyes, but they lean more towards harmony than contrast. The effect is softer, so choose these shades if you’re specifically looking for a seamless continuation of colour rather than a pronounced contrast.

The perfect eyeshadow pairing: Bordeaux and Cocoa can also be found in the Eye Wardrobe palette, extending the contrast across the entire eyelid.

Grey eyes tend to change colour depending on the light and the colours worn around them (clothing and makeup). Charcoal, plum and midnight blue tones tend to enhance them best.

Try: Ash for a graphite grey that embraces a sophisticated tonal look, Fig for a more pronounced touch of plum, or Navy Noir for a deep, vivid blue that brings out the iris’s cooler flecks.

The perfect eyeshadow pairing: the Navy Noir Eye Wardrobe palette, for a hypnotic midnight-blue gaze.

The golden, copper and radiant brown Satin Kajal Liner shades – such as Terracotta, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Bronze and Gold Lamé – naturally complement a warm undertone. Of course, very cool shades such as Navy Noir Pavé or Sea Grey are still entirely wearable, but can sometimes benefit from being balanced by the rest of your makeup (a warm-toned blush, for example) to avoid creating too stark a contrast with your complexion.

The good news if your complexion has a neutral undertone? Almost all 21 Satin Kajal Liner shades can work beautifully for you! In this case, let your eye colour guide your choice first, then have fun with the finish (matte, shimmer or jewel) depending on the look you’re after.

For a precise line, apply the pencil as close to the upper lash line as possible, gently pulling the eyelid taut if needed. For a smoky eye, trace a line and immediately soften it using the built-in smudger, before the formula sets. You have around one minute to work with! Along the waterline (the inner rim of the eye, sometimes referred to as the mucous membrane), opt for a matte shade for a cleaner, bolder finish, or a dark shade such as Black or Navy Noir, for glitter-free definition in the most sensitive area of the eye. Specially formulated for sensitive eyes and suitable for contact lens wearers, Satin Kajal Liner is particularly well suited to this application.