Although some women go through the painful process of plucking their eyebrows today, the women of ancient Greece actually favored a unibrow. In fact, dark and thick eyebrows were considered attractive. Dark eye shadows, created using mixtures of clay and charcoal, were also very popular. Crushed mulberries and red iron were used to create red coloring. Another desired look was to redden the lips and cheeks. White lead was applied to their faces, but over time, they discovered that it might be making them ill, so they switched to using chalk powder.
#Humankind skincare skin#
Light skin was very popular, and people went to great lengths to achieve this look. It also helped lighten the appearance of the skin. Olive oil was widely used to protect the skin from environmental stressors, prevent aging, and promote a clear complexion. The olive tree is said to have originated in Greece and was considered to be sacred. The word “cosmetic” is actually derived from a Greek word, “kosmetikos.” Ancient Greek women used many of the same ingredients the Egyptians used for their skin care, such as goat milk, honey, animal fats, and vegetable oils. Much like the Egyptians, the Greeks believed that cosmetics and skin care were essential to everyday life as well as death.
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Ancient Egyptian Cosmetics and Their Containers.What the Ancient Pigment Ochre Tells Us About the Human Mind.While these substances themselves largely did not survive into the present day, a variety of containers that once held cosmetics have been unearthed and are on display in museums around the world, from a simple reed tube to finely crafted vessels made from colored glass in an array of shapes and sizes. People would travel far and wide to distribute and trade these coveted products. These two products became important trading commodities across civilizations. Another essence produced from the sap of a tree was myrrh, noted for its earthy scent. Obtained from the resin of the boswellia tree, frankincense was used for many things, including perfume, disguising bad breath, enriching the skin and hair, massaging sore muscles, and even embalming the dead. The same goes for natron and ash, which were also used to cleanse the skin and in mummification.įragrances were popular in ancient Egypt as well in fact, there are some recipes for scented oils inscribed in hieroglyphics on ancient Egyptian temple walls. Another common makeup ingredient was red ochre, an ancient pigment that was combined with animal fat or vegetable oil and used for blushing the cheeks, painting the nails, and marking bodies and grave sites. The substance known as kohl had other uses as well: It was used to give the eyes some protection from the harsh sun and to deter insects from the eyes. Certain minerals would catch the sun’s rays and create an attractive, glittery shine. The iconic eyeliner and eye shadow worn by Tutankhamun, Nefertiti, Nefertari, and Cleopatra were made by grinding minerals like green malachite and black galena into powder. Salt from the Dead Sea was used for exfoliating the skin.
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Honey and milk from goats and donkeys were used for face masks and baths. Ingredients such as olive oil and clay were used for soap.
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Egyptian beauty products could be either simple or quite complex. Cleanliness and appearance were high priorities and were considered ways to purify the body and the soul. Striving to look one’s best was a way to honor the gods and goddesses, and people wearing makeup can plainly be seen on the walls of ancient tombs. Ancient EgyptĪrtifacts dating back to the Predynastic Period have proven that the ancient Egyptians were pioneers in the use of cosmetics. While modern people can buy a range of beauty products, the origins of these lotions, powders, and perfumes can be found in ancient times.
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Cosmetics have been used in daily life, in religious rituals, and in burial rites. Science, archaeology, and literature have revealed that our ancient ancestors used many different substances to address various skin-care needs and look their best.