History of makeup (Egyptian makeup)

The ancient Egyptians had a great fondness for makeup and considered it essential to their appearance and beauty. Makeup was used for aesthetic, social and religious purposes.

One of the most characteristic elements of Egyptian makeup is eyeliner, known as "kohl". Kohl was applied to both men and women and was believed to have protective properties against the "evil eye" and evil spirits and even helped to protect the eyes from the sun and prevent eye infections.

Kohl was made by mixing lead and galena powder (a dark mineral) with animal fat or vegetable oil. This mixture was carefully applied around the eyes, extending also to the upper and lower eyelids, creating a large, almond-shaped eye effect, which was considered very attractive in Egyptian culture.

In addition to kohl, Egyptians also used other makeup products, such as colored powders, to highlight their cheeks and lips. These powders were made by mixing minerals and natural pigments such as iron oxide and ochre oxide with oils or fats. 

They painted their fingers and toes with a reddish orange coloration obtained from henna, with which they also dyed their nails and hair. The women, in particular, took care of their chest area, placing a golden touch on their nipples and accentuating the veins of their breasts with blue pigments. 

The most popular colors were red, pink, turquoise and brown.

In the tombs of the pharaohs, traces of cosmetic products were found that were not far from today's makeup. In fact, today's blusher is derived from a mixture made in Ancient Egypt that was composed of seeds, red ochre and various fruits.

It is impossible to talk about the history of makeup and leave out Cleopatra. In addition to being queen of Egypt, Cleopatra was renowned for her beauty and the rituals she followed to maintain it. In her manual, written in the first century B.C., she compiled a series of recipes that collected the knowledge of ancient Egypt regarding the use of cosmetic products. Such as blushes, creams, pastes and perfumes. Many of which, despite being considered somewhat grotesque, are similar to modern cosmetic products... She was, for many, the pioneer of natural makeup. 

Egyptian makeup has left a lasting mark on history and continues to be a source of inspiration in the makeup industry today.

I hope you liked this blog and remember that "beauty and intelligence are two jewels that, when combined, create an incomparable treasure." See you in the next Blog. Remember to leave a like, comment and follow me on my social networks.