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1/22/2014 Ancient Egyptian Beauty Secrets - History - Culture & Entertainment - OnIslam.net
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They wore elaborate wigs, whichthey dyed a variety of colors
Ancient Egyptians were pioneers in several fields,
including the field of beauty, in which they excelled
History and Traditions
Ancient Egyptian Beauty Secrets
(11 votes, average 4.27 out of 5)
By Dr. Aisha El-Awady
Thursday, 31 October 2013 00:00
Cleanliness and beautification were
considered as essential practices in
ancient Egyptian society. Ancient
Egyptians were pioneers in several
fields, including the field of beauty, in
which they excelled.
Hygiene was of the utmost
importance in ancient Egypt,
especially in the upper classes, and
women who had the money for it
would use a cleansing paste made out
of water and natron, which is found in
sodium bicarbonate or sodium
carbonate. Oils were considered essential, even for lower class women, for the
protection of the skin and hair from the hot, dry climate. Oils were also used as
perfumes.
Cosmetics played an important role in the beautification process. Eye make-up was
especially important, not only for enhancing one’s beauty but also for its medicinal
and magical functions. Green eye make-up, which symbolized fertility, was made from
the copper ore known as malachite, while dark gray eye paint was derived from a
lead ore known as galena. In addition to its disinfectant properties, galena was
thought to ward off the evil eye from its wearer.
Kohl paste, which was used by both men and women, was made from a variety of
compounds. Green malachite or jasper mixed with water and fat was the most
common combination used. Galena and sometimes lapis lazuli were used as an eye
treatment and were also called kohl. Kohl also served as a protection for the eyes
against the sun and dust. Henna and red ochre combined with fats and oils were
used for coloring the cheeks or lips, whereas orange colored rouge was made using
iron oxides.
Hair and Wigs in Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt thick hair was favored, and although
common women kept their own hair, those of higher
status had the whole head and body shaved for hygienic
purposes to prevent infestations with lice; it was also
more comfortable in the hot summer climate to shave
the head. However, they did not prefer the shaven look
but instead wore elaborate wigs, which they dyed a
variety of colors, including blue, green, blond, and gold,
though black was the favored color for wigs.
The wigs were made using human and animal hairs,
together with plant fibers. Around 300 strands were used
for each wig, and the strands were kept in place using
pomade made from wax. The wigs were frequently
scented with perfumes and were usually divided into
three sections, two on either side and one down the back.
The Egyptians also used wigs to defy the signs of aging and balding. They used
henna to cover up gray hair, and a wide variety of remedies were available for
stimulating hair growth in bald men. Some of these included the application to the
scalp of fats derived from ibex, crocodiles, snakes, lions, geese, cats and goats. A
number of oils such as rosemary oil, castor oil, and almond oil were used to facilitate
hair growth. Bald spots were also smeared with chopped lettuce.
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1/22/2014 Ancient Egyptian Beauty Secrets - History - Culture & Entertainment - OnIslam.net
http://www.onislam.net/english/culture-and-entertainment/history/412849-ancient-egyptian-beauty-secrets.html 2/3
A wide range of minerals were usedin the making of jewelry
Glass beads were made in a varietyof colors and shapes
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Ancient Egyptian Jewelry
The ancient Egyptians, who loved ornamentation,
were exceptional and innovative jewelry makers.
Jewelry was believed to have magical and spiritual
properties and was thought to protect its wearer.
The minerals and metals used in the jewelry were not
chosen arbitrarily; rather they were identified with
certain deities or with particular therapeutic and
spiritual values.
A wide range of minerals, such as cornelian,
amethyst, onyx, jasper and quartz crystal, were used in the making of jewelry. It is
not clear how these stones were classified by the ancient Egyptians or which stones
were considered precious and which were not. However, it is known that there was a
connection between economic value and availability of the stones.
With the invention of glass, the manufacture of glass beads by the Egyptians and
their incorporation into jewelry became an art in itself. The glass beads were so
fabulously perfected that it may sometimes be difficult to make a distinction between
the imitation and genuine pearls, emeralds and tigers-eye.
Glass beads were made in a variety of colors and
shapes. Blue beads were created by adding cobalt to
the basic formula of silica, soda and lime. Copper was
used for green, tin for milky white, and gold was
added to make the beads red. The readiness to add
gold during the making of the glass suggests that the
beads were not simply considered as substitutes for
precious stones but were thought of as being of value
themselves.
The value given to these glass beads can also be
seen from certain excavated pieces of jewelry such
as King Tutankhamun’s “necklace of the sun” which was formed of glass beads
together with ones of gold and carnelian. This and similar pieces of jewelry found in
tombs led to the debate among scholars as to whether glass jewelry was considered
to be of equal value or even exceeded the value of the “real thing” or if it was merely
used to outwit tomb robbers.
It is truly amazing how advanced the ancient Egyptians became in both jewelry craft
and beautification. Ancient formulas have even been discovered to treat several
conditions such as for wrinkles, stretch marks and scarring. It is difficult to imagine
such sophistication existing some 4,000 years ago.
References
Illes, Judith. Glass Beads, "Fabulous Fakes" and the Birth of Costume Jewelry.Egypt Month.
Sones, Michael. Beauty and Fashion in Ancient Egypt.Beauty Worlds.
Bova, Aimee. The Cosmetic and Perfume Practices of the Ancient Egyptians.Beauty Worlds.
Sones, Michael. Hair in Ancient Egypt. Beauty Worlds.
Takahashi, Kozue. Ancient Egyptian Hairstyles. Emuseum.mnsu.edu.
Aisha El-Awady has a bachelor’s degree in medicine from Cairo University and is
currently working as instructor of Parasitology in the Faculty of Medicine.
Comments
#1 Guest 2013-11-09 07:09
Great information. JazakAllah!
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