History of Makeup – Egypt
Source:NetWork Author:Jafon makeup brushes factory Addtime:2018-12-25 Click:
It is said that there is nothing new under the sun and believe it or not makeup has been around for quite some time. Despite its modern day popularity and the billions of dollars spent annually on cosmetic purchases, the most primitive of people employed the first use of makeup. The most civilised people to use makeup for aesthetic reasons was the Egyptians.Archeologists have found evidence that as early as 4000 BC, Egyptian men and women were using makeup. The beauty of Queen Cleopatra was not only legendary but true. And a large part of that was due to the cosmetics that she used. Makeup was not only important in daily life but also in death. So highly esteemed was it for its cosmetic and spiritual properties that they were placed into the burial chambers to aid the deceased in its journey to the afterlife.For their eyes, the Egyptians favoured using black and green coloured makeup. What we know today as kohl was used by these ancient people to darken around the eyes and their eyelashes. This made their distinct look that is still known today: almond shaped eyes, lengthened eyeliner and extended eyebrows that were all drawn out to the sides of the face. The chemical base of kohl comprised of antimony, a metal, burnt almond oxidized copper, ochre, ash, malachite, lead and chrysocolla (a blue green copper ore). It was applied with a tiny stick and stored in a small flat container. This kohl had another purpose other than to increase the wearer’s attractiveness. Similar to the usage by American footballers and undercover soldiers, this dark colour was used around the eyes to minimise glare as it also absorbed sunlight. This was good protection for the Egyptians as they lived in a very sunny climate. The higher social classes used ground semi precious stones such as malachite for eye makeup. This gave the eyelids a green colour.It has been found that the Egyptians also used lipsticks. Cleopatra used one that was made out of finely crushed carmine beetles which gave it a deep red pigment and was then combined with ant eggs. It may sound strange but this is not such a far cry from the modern day lipstick ingredient of fish scales. It is also known that red ochre was ground and mixed with water, for the lips and cheeks, and then painted on with a brush.Their faces were not to be left out. They used white makeup to protect the face from the rays of the sun.As you can see people used what was within reach to improve their beauty and their well being. Makeup ingredients have evolved since then but the core functions remain the same: improve physical attractiveness and boost confidence levels.
