Everyone in ancient Egypt used cosmetics: both men and women, the rich and the poor. Makeup was used for vanity reasons, to protect skin against the environment (boiling hot desert sun and insects bites for example) and for religious rituals. Cosmetics were so important to the Egyptians that even in their tombs, archaeologists have found makeup and ointments.
Curious to find out their beauty secrets? Read on:
Body Oils
The hot, torrid and windy climate of Egypt causes skin to become dry, cracked and burnt. Therefore, it was very important for the Ancient Egyptians to always keep their skin moisturized. So important, that even workers received body oils to keep their bodies hydrated as part of their wages. Apart from body oils, the Egyptians also applied honey, which has moisturizing properties, on their skin. Some lotions were also used by women to remove stretch marks while others were applied by men to stimulate hair growth and prevent baldness.
Soaps
Personal hygiene was very important for the Ancient Egyptians. They believed that an unclean and smelly body was impure and so they kept themselves clean and well groomed. They would wash themselves frequently using soaps there were a past made with clay or ash mixed with oils that were often scented.
Eyes
To decorate their eyes, the Ancient Egyptians used black and green paints. The black paint was derived from powdered galena (now known as kohl) and it was supposed to protect eyes from the hot sun. The green paint was derived from malachite powder (a green colored mineral) and was used because it would make eyes appear larger. In addition, green paint was believed to invoke the eye of Horus, the god of The Sky & Sun and also of healing. For this reason, the Egyptians thought green paint would protect those that wore it.
To make these paints, the Egyptians powdered the minerals on a palette and then, they mixed them with a substance (probably derived from animal fats) that would make them adhere to the eyes better. To apply these paints they used either their fingertips or little sticks made of wood, bone or ivory.
Red ochre
The Egyptians used red ochre mixed with fat or gum resin to color cheeks and lips. In addition, red ochre was mixed with kohl and sycamore juice to create a mixture that could help hear scars caused by burning.
Henna
Henna is a natural dye derived from the leaves of the Lawsonia Inermis shrub. Once its green leaves are crushed and dried, they create a reddish powder. The Egyptians would mix this powder with water to form a paste, which was used to paint nails and dye grey hair. In addition, it was also used by both men and women to stain their lips red.
Perfumes
The Egyptians loved strong scents and made lots of perfumes using ingredients like myrrh, cinnamon, cassia, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, lily, cedar, aloe, rosemary, rose, olive oil and almond oil blended with animal fats and oils.
The Egyptians knew several ways to make perfumes. A common method was enfleurage: flowers, roots or resins were soaked in layers of fat to create creams and pomades. These were worn in the shape of a cone on top of their heads and would melt throughout the day, running down their faces and necks, scenting them.
Another popular method was called maceration. Basically, they would heat fats or oils to a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius. Then, they would add flowers, herbs or fruits to it. Finally, the mixture was sieved and, once cooled, shaped into cones or balls.
Hair
On festive occasions, both men and women wore wings made of human hair. Archaeologists also found short fine tooth combs and hair pins used by Egyptians on their hair.
Containers
Although everyone, regardless of their social status wore makeup, the rich and the poor could be distinguished by the quality of the applicators and pots they used. Rich people kept their cosmetics in beautiful ornate and jeweled containers and used ivory applicators, while the poor had clay pots and small sticks.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I fell in love with Egypt when I was in Fashion History, lol. Its amazing the things they thought of fashion and beauty wise!
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Aww! That is so interesting to know! Thanx for share!
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Really interesting article. I even saw a documentary on Discovery a while ago about makeup in Ancient Egypt and it was so interesting to know what tricks and plants they used to make makeup.
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Dee, you were in Fashion History? That’s very interesting
I agree, the Ancient Egypts and all aspects of their culture have always fascinated me and it’s nice to know what they used to think of makeup and they things they did beautywise.
Anastacia, you’re welcome. It’s very interesting, I agree
Tavia, that must have been a very interesting documentary. It’s fascinating to know how ancient people made cosmetics, isn’t it?
Very interesting post.
If I remember correctly they mixed minerals with olive oil to get make-up.
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Yay, thanks for sharing this. I knew some of it but not all
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Gejba, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and yes, I believe some cosmetics were made like that.
Phyrra, you’re welcome and I’m glad you found it interesting
hey there, i’m doing an assignment on cosmetic, hair and nail beauty and adornment practices throughout history, pre 20th century. i actually have to do this research on atleast 4 different cultures, so the information you have here is great!! although, i’m just wanting to know, what years/decades these practices would have taken place thanks?
thanks so very much!
Arleih, good luck with your project and I’m glad this article helped you. Unfortunately my sources didn’t mention years/decades, just talked about cosmetics in ancient Egypt in general. I’ll do a search online and see if I can find more information.
oh cool thanks so very much for that!
Arleih, you’re welcome.
hi thr im doing a assignment on hair care/adornment, nail care/adornment,make-up practics throughout history, pre-20th century i was lost until i found dis article, i was just wondering if u know, what years/decades these practices would have taken place thanks?
Raj, all the best with your assignment and I’m lead this post helped you. Unfortunately my sources didn’t mention the period so I’m not sure in what decades these practices took place, sorry.
I love this history. It was my fav part of cosmetology school!
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Christine, I’m glad you like it. It’s fascinating, isn’t it?
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