Kajal

The story

Kajal Perfumes Paris was born from the meeting of two men who grew up inside luxury perfumery. Moe Khalaf, today the maison's creative director, worked for Yves Saint Laurent and then for Estée Lauder, where he looked after the Tom Ford fragrances in twelve Middle Eastern countries. Ibrahim Faris started out at nineteen in Jordan and then continued in Dubai. In 2012 they joined forces, and in 2014 came the first fragrance, Kajal Eau de Parfum. And yet, Moe recalls, perfume was not allowed in his home because of his father's allergies: “My first memory of scent was sneaking sprays from other people's perfumes”.

The name has two roots. Kajal is kohl, the make-up that protects and beautifies the eyes; but it also recalls the Arabic “khajal”, the modesty and self-awareness of those who do not flaunt their beauty. That is why the first perfume had a mirrored cap: “We wanted people to see themselves in it, literally”, says Moe. The idea is to bring together French elegance and the artistic heritage of the Arab world, and the symbol that sums it up is the eight-pointed star, found on the cap of every fragrance: for Moe Khalaf it is “the beating heart of the brand”.

The collection has grown chapter by chapter, each with its own noses. Kajal Eau de Parfum is signed by Christian Carbonnel, heir to a historic family of Spanish perfumers; in 2015 came Dahab, created with Rosendo Mateu and dedicated to gold, with the eight names of gold engraved on the cap in Arabic calligraphy. In 2017 the Fiddah Collection was born, with five fragrances. In 2020 Mark Buxton signed Lamar, “liquid gold” in Arabic, today one of the maison's best-loved perfumes. Then came the flowers of the Wardé Collection, the precious stones of the Gem Collection, from Almaz in 2022 to Masa, Ruby and Topaz, and the numbers of the Arqam line, up to Dahab Absolu and Kajal V, which arrived in 2026. Moe chooses his perfumers with no fixed rules: “We do not follow a particular protocol: we believe that destiny drives our selections”.

The details have a signature too. The caps of Almaz, Masa and Ruby are designed by Leonardo Ranucci, a jewellery designer who grew up in Vicenza, a city famous for goldsmithing. Lamar Caviar holds the perfume in water-based alginate pearls, with no alcohol. In 2024 Kajal IV, created by Kévin Mathys, won the Art and Olfaction Award in the Independent category, and in the same year the maison celebrated its first ten years in Cannes. Kajal presents its new releases at Esxence, in Milan, and at Pitti Fragranze, in Florence. Today it is based in Paris, on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and is present in more than 75 countries. The fragrances are made in France.

The collections

• Classic Collection: the fragrances launched individually, the cornerstones of the maison. Kajal Eau de Parfum, Faris and Kolada.
• Gold Collection: the most celebrated, devoted to the radiance and opulence of gold. Lamar, Lamar Noir, Lamar Caviar, Dahab, Dahab Absolu and Äican.
• Gem Collection: a tribute to the strength and rarity of precious stones. Almaz, Masa, Ruby and Topaz.
• Arqam Collection: the line of numbers, a symbol of balance, structure and strength. Kajal I, Kajal II, Kajal III, Kajal IV and Kajal V.
• Wardé Collection: inspired by the world of flowers. Wardé, Jihan, Joorie and Yasmina.
• Fiddah Collection: five fragrances, each a different mood, among woods, leather and amber. Fiddah, Alujain, Sareef, Sawlaj and Warek.

Moe Khalaf is also the creator of Eau de Moe, his most personal project: each perfume is the portrait of a member of his family.

OUD Profumeria Artistica is an authorised Kajal retailer, online and at the shop in Nettuno (Rome).

Frequently asked questions

Where does Kajal come from?
Kajal Perfumes Paris is a maison based in Paris, on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, founded by Moe Khalaf with Ibrahim Faris. It brings together French elegance and the artistic heritage of the Arab world: the name comes from the Arabic “khajal”, the modesty of those who do not flaunt their beauty. The perfumes are made in France and the first fragrance, Kajal Eau de Parfum, dates from 2014.

Are Kajal perfumes for men or for women?
They are unisex. Taste matters more than gender: those who love bright fruit choose Lamar, Dahab Absolu or Äican; those who prefer woods, leather and amber look to Kajal I, Lamar Noir or Fiddah.

Is Kajal Lamar a summer or a winter perfume?
Lamar is at its best in spring and summer and also wears well in autumn: pineapple and red berries in the opening, roses and jasmine in the heart, vanilla and amber in the base. For winter and for the evening there is Lamar Noir, darker, with leather and oud.

What is the difference between Lamar, Lamar Noir and Lamar Caviar?
Lamar is the original Eau de Parfum, fruity and floral, signed by Mark Buxton. Lamar Noir is a darker, more intense Extrait de Parfum: green apple and caramel on a base of leather, oud and woods. Lamar Caviar is the scent of Lamar in water-based, alcohol-free scented pearls, in the 30 ml size.

What is the difference between Dahab and Dahab Absolu?
Dahab is the Eau de Parfum from 2015: Granny Smith apple and passion fruit on patchouli, musk and amber. Dahab Absolu is the Extrait de Parfum from 2026, signed by Patrick Müller: richer and more gourmand, with mango, honey, rose and caramel, to wear all year round.

Which Kajal perfume is similar to Lamar?
If you love Lamar, in the same fruity family you will find Dahab Absolu, with passion fruit, mango and honey, Äican, with pineapple, ginger and praline, and Almaz, with blackcurrant, raspberry and vanilla.

Where to buy Kajal in Italy?
OUD Profumeria Artistica is an authorised Kajal retailer: you will find the six collections online and at our shop in Nettuno (Rome), where you can try them in person.