Early Egyptian Beauty

Long before there was a cosmetics counter, women were concerned about their appearance. Evidence of beauty products has been found in Egyptian tombs as far back as 4,000 BC and detailed cosmetic rituals are recorded in ancient Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Hittite, Greek and Roman literature. The Ebers Papyrus, a document which dates back to approximately 1500 B.C., even describes an anti-aging treatment made of honey, baking powder, salt and powdered alabaster. Some of the most beauty-conscious of our female ancestors were the women of ancient Egypt.

Egyptian women are known for their mysterious beauty. While this can be naturally attributed to their raven locks and sun-kissed skin, they also knew the power of personal grooming and pioneered early cosmetics and skincare. Since they lived in a sweltering desert, Egyptian women relied heavily on oils and fats to moisturize and keep their skin soft and supple. Duane W. Roller, Author of Cleopatra: A Biography (Oxford University Press) reported on the great Queen’s use of castor oil, palm oil, and various animal fats to protect and hydrate her skin. In fact, oils such as olive, coconut and sweet almond are still used for skin and hair-care by many cultures today. Paintings, drawings, and sculptures of Egyptian women always show their distinctive eyeliner. To achieve the exotic effect, they used a mixture of kohl powder from ground minerals. It not only emphasized their eyes but offered the added protection of deflecting the rays of the sun. Roller also tells us that Egyptian women added flush to their cheeks with a red powder made from ground iron-oxide minerals like hematite and ochre, which was an early form of blush.

Queen Cleopatra reportedly indulged in mild sour milk baths to reduce wrinkles and rejuvenate her skin. The lactic acid in milk is an alpha hydroxyl acid which is commonly added to many of today’s anti-aging cleansers, toners, masks, and moisturizers. To keep them looking younger, Egyptian women also colored their hair. Grays were covered with a temporary black dye made from the blood of a calf or bull. Egyptians also considered thick eyebrows to be a sign of beauty and experimented with brow fillers. Some women having naturally thin browns shaved their off and painted on thicker false ones, while others made their brows look fuller using a combination of honey and crocodile dung.