Cosmetics in ancient Egypt
Cosmetics in ancient Egypt have been one of the most important social things in everyday life since the early days of Egyptian culture . It not only served to promote the general ideal of beauty , but also for care and as a status symbol . Cosmetics have been found in tombs from the Badari culture up to the Coptic era.
Make up
Eye and face colors
Khol was used to make eyeshadows , and galena , henna , azurite and malachite ore were used to apply eyeshadow. The ores were ground into powder , mixed with some animal fat and then applied. Face paints made from henna were also popular. Egyptian women used it to paint their cheeks and hands.
Oils, ointments and perfumes
Scented oils and the like are also documented in vessels and as grave goods from almost all epochs of Egypt, but it is uncertain whether they were actually applied or merely set up in rooms. Although Greek historians such as Plutarch and Dioscurides report on the production of perfumes and scented oils, their representations are limited to their own epochs.
Hair care
The ancient Egyptians practiced intensive hair care. This included wearing wigs , for example . This fashion has been documented since the early dynasty. The wigs could be tiered or braided from curls and were made from human hair or palm fiber. To prevent them from falling apart so quickly, they were dipped in liquid beeswax . They were equally popular among men and women and were also considered a status symbol. Officials , nobles and priests in particular wore fine wigs as a symbol of their status and their power. Kings like Djoser ( 3rd Dynasty ) were also wigs. Interestingly enough, human hair was made into fine cords to make jewelery chains and entire pectorals . For men, hair care also included regular shaving , and for priests it was even a requirement. In certain periods beards, especially mustaches , but also full beards were popular. Kings ( pharaohs ) wore an artificial royal beard . Small boys often had shaved heads, only on the right or left side hung a small braid or a ponytail , which is known as a youth curl .
See also
literature
- Alfred Lucas: Ancient Egyptian materials and industries. 3rd edition, revised. Kessinger Publishing, Kila MT 2003, ISBN 0-7661-5141-7 , pp. 42-46 and 99-107.
- Anne K. Capel, Glenn Markoe: Mistress of the House, Mistress of Heaven: women in ancient Egypt. Hudson Hills Press, New York 1996, ISBN 1555951295 , pp. 76-80.
- Hans W. Kern: The technique of hair work and its use. Welz Vermittlerverlag, Mannheim 2004, ISBN 3-937805-50-8 , p. 4.
- Emmerich Paszthory: Ointments, make-up and perfumes in ancient times . von Zabern, Mainz 1992, ISBN 3-8053-1417-5 .
