Ancient Egyptian Cosmetics
Egypt is a fascinating country. It is known for rich culture and ancient monuments. From the king tut mania to the Elizabeth tailor’s Cleopatra, Egypt has given us so much to read about and talk about. One thing that interests us about ancient Egyptians is their method of using makeup, the shades of their makeup and so much more. It is known that even for afterlife, they found the use of cosmetics essential.
It is very common for an archeologist to find clay pots of small size filled with makeup in most humble monuments of Egypt. This shows that beauty was one important thing for ancient Egyptian women. Besides beauty, the makeup used by Egyptians was meant for the protection against insects and sun’s burning rays. Also, it is known that makeup application was served as ritual to honor the Egyptian gods or goddesses.
Eye Makeup and Fragrance in Ancient Egyptian Cosmetics
Egyptian makeup is famous by the eye paint. Egyptian women used to wear green and black paint to decorate their eyes. Black paint was generated by galena whose powder now we call kohl. The black paint helped them stay protected from sun. The green paint was generated through malachite powder which helped them to stay away from infection. They applied paint through hands and to make these paints, they used to powder the minerals in palette.
Another one of the most famous ancient Egyptian cosmetics is perfume. Artisans extracted scent by distilling cinnamon, myrrh, frankincense and cassia with fats or oils. This method is called enfleurage in which people soak resins or flowers in layers of fat. This progresses into pomades which were worn by Egyptians in shape of cone over the top of their heads. When it used to melt, fragrant oil would run to the neck and face, after scenting hair.
Soaps and Body Oils in Encient Egyptian Cosmetics
Egyptians considered unclean body to be impure. So they invented soaps but not in form of bars or liquid body wash. Their soap was paste of clay with oil which sometimes was scented. This mixture cleaned the body and protected it against skin disease or damages.
In oil, they used olive oil as it moisturizes and nourishes skin. Also it heals the sun damages and stress problems. Body oil was so important that it was received as part of wage by the Egyptian workers. It helped to remove stretch marks, give protection from sun, etc.
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