Ancient Egyptian makeup is known for its heavily kohl-lined eyes, which are instantly recognizable and often recreated in Hollywood blockbusters. Here are some details about Egyptian makeup looks, ingredients, and products:
Egyptian Makeup Looks
- The Ancient Egyptian look is one of the more memorable ones in the history of makeup.
- Although an authentic Egyptian look would appear caricature-like in today’s society, there are certain elements that could easily be identified in a modern woman’s routine – the red lips or the kohl-lined eyes, for instance.
Egyptian Makeup Ingredients
- Malachite was one of the principal ingredients used in eye paints, which shielded the eyes by absorbing some of the suns rays.
- Kohl was a paste made of soot, fatty matter, and metal (usually lead, antimony, manganese, or copper) .
- Black Seed, or Blessed Seed as the ancient Egyptians called it, is known to have been part of the self-care rituals of Cleopatra and Tutankhamun. This nutrient-dense, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory plant is rich in powerful active constituents such as Thymoquinone, essential fatty acids, proteins, alkaloids, and saponins, and is known for its healing properties.
- Onion seed extract, mullein flower extract, and calendula officinalis flower extract are other Egyptian beauty ingredients to look out for.
Egyptian Makeup Products
- Egyptian Magic is a blend of olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, Royal Jelly, and bee propolis, and is used for everything from treating eczema to conditioning hair, plumping lips, as a massage balm, and removing makeup.
- Calcite jars held makeup or unguents and perfumes, and containers for eye paint and oils were crafted from expensive materials like glass, gold.
Positive Aspects of Egyptian Makeup
- Ancient Egyptians took their beauty routines seriously, and cosmetics had practical uses, ritual functions, or symbolic meanings.
- Black Seed is known for its healing properties.
Negative Aspects of Egyptian Makeup
- Kohl was made of soot, fatty matter, and metal (usually lead, antimony, manganese, or copper), which could be harmful to the skin.
- The exposure to lead in the makeup could eventually lead to irritability, insomnia, and mental decrease.
In conclusion, Ancient Egyptian makeup is known for its heavily kohl-lined eyes, and the makeup products and ingredients used by the ancient Egyptians had both positive and negative aspects.
