Egyption Makeup Tradition

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Egyptian makeup Traditions: Egyptian makeup is a very interesting subject. The Egyptians believed beauty and fashion were very important. Men and women both wore makeup. Eye makeup was probably the most characteristics of Egyptian cosmetics. Before 4,000 B. C. the Egyptians wore makeup. The art of makeup was highly skilled and widely practiced. The makeup was usually black or green to signify fertility and rebirth in the next life. They painted their lips red or blue black. The ancient Egyptian makeup tradition of outlining the eyes with pigment to create an almond or feline shape and the importance placed upon this practice, however, transcends the Western concept of eye makeup. As we have seen to be typical of the ancient Egyptians, they took a truly holistic approach to the concept of eye makeup. Not only was it decorative and ornamental, the practice also served medicinal, magical and spiritual practices. Eygptian makeup Eyes: Eye make up provided psychic protection as well. The Egyptian word for eye-palette seems to derive from their word for "protect." An unadorned and thus unprotected eye was believed vulnerable to the Evil Eye. Outlining the eyes thus became a personal protective amulet drawn right upon the skin; an amulet that once applied could not be lost or misplaced. The most popular colors of Egyptian makeup were green and black. The green was originally made from malachite, an oxide of copper. In the Old Kingdom it was applied liberally from the eyebrow to the base of the nose. In the Middle Kingdom, green eye paint continued to be used for the brows and the corners of the eyes, but by the New Kingdom it had been superseded by black. Black eye paint, kohl, was usually made of a sulfide of lead called galena. Eygyptian makeup Galena: Galena is still used in Egypt under the name kohl. It is easily and inexpensively purchased in the marketplace.

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