At all times, a woman was perceived as a source of inspiration and beauty. In addition, each nation, in accordance with the peculiarities of everyday life, cultural traditions and beliefs, created a certain specific image.
He served as the standard of female beauty, and sometimes not only for many years, but also for centuries. And what was a similar ideal in Egypt? This is a face with thin features, full lips and large almond-shaped eyes, in contrast with an elongated graceful figure and heavy hairstyle. Such a woman should have caused an idea of an exotic plant located on a flexible swaying stalk.
Makeup application
Egyptian women were the first in the history of mankind to pay close attention to the care of their skin. It is worth noting that before them no one used scrubs and face creams. Historians attribute the creation of the first cosmetics to Egyptian physicians. This is confirmed by excavations by archaeologists, at the site of which researchers discovered the first creams that were used to combat the aging of facial skin. Tonic additives, as well as infusions of medicinal herbs and flowers were added to these formulations.
In addition, the Egyptians were the first to use mascara, eye shadow, blush, nail polish and other cosmetics that are widely used today. And what were the ideas of female beauty in this country?
Figure
About the ideals of beauty of Egyptian women (photo images are presented below) we can judge by the frescoes that have survived to this day.
In this country, such representations corresponded to a slender body with well-developed muscles. Egyptian women were considered beautiful, having small breasts, wide shoulders, long legs and a neck, black thick hair and narrow hips. The figure at the same time they must be certainly harmonious and graceful. No wonder one of the goddesses of the people of this country was the Egyptian catwoman Bastet. She was the personification of joy and light, a rich harvest, as well as beauty and love. This goddess was revered as the guardian of family happiness, comfort and hearth. In Egyptian myths you can find a different description of the image of this woman. Sometimes she was affectionate and graceful, and sometimes vengeful and aggressive.
Makeup
The magic of the sight of Egyptian women and the ability to command them by other people was sung by historians, writers and poets of all ages. However, to date, cosmetologists and makeup artists have not been able to unravel the secrets of the "pharaoh's" eyes. Today they are one of the most beautiful puzzles that have come to us from the past.
Researchers find images of eyes on sarcophagi. It is believed that these drawings were charms and indicated that after his death the deceased will see everything that happens in the living world.
Initially, only priests had the right to use cosmetics. Only they knew the secrets of making cosmetics. These compositions were necessary for the priests to perform rituals, in particular, those that remove spoilage and protect from the evil eye. And only over time, Egyptian women who belonged to the nobility began to use cosmetics.
What was the makeup of that era? Of course, special emphasis has always been placed on the eyes. In ancient times, Egyptian women used sticks made from elephant tusks. With this tool, they applied a special paint to the eyelashes. It contained antimony and graphite, burnt almonds and even crocodile droppings. The eyes of the Egyptian women (see photo of the process below) were brought down with a different color.
It was made from lapis lazuli, malachite and crushed dust. Such makeup allowed to give the eyes an almond-shaped shape. A darker black outline was obtained using antimony. Shadows for the eyes were compositions in which dust of turquoise, malachite and clay were included.
In order to meet the ideal of beauty, Egyptian women dilated their pupils and added shine to their eyes. To do this, they dripped the juice of a plant called "sleepy crap." Today we know him as a belladonna.
The Egyptians considered the most beautiful green eyes. That is why women circled them with paint made from carbon dioxide. A little later, it was replaced by black. Eyes certainly lengthened to the temples and always drew long and thick eyebrows.
Used green paint for the feet and nails. To prepare it, malachite was ground.
Another invention of the Egyptians became special whitewash. They allowed to give their dark skin a light yellow tone. This color was a symbol of the earth warmed by the sun.
An ancient Egyptian woman used lipstick for a lipstick based on seaweed, iodine and bromine. Such ingredients were unsafe for health. Researchers believe that the expression we know that beauty requires sacrifice arose precisely in connection with the use of this composition.
Cleopatra had her own original lipstick recipe. She mixed crushed red beetles with crushed ant eggs. Fish scales were added to the mixture to add gloss to the lips.
The blush for the cheekbones and cheeks of the Egyptians was caustic juice obtained from iris. It caused skin irritation, giving it a red, lasting for a long time.
An Egyptian woman was considered beautiful when she hid all facial skin defects, giving her a shimmering smooth matte shade. To do this, she had to apply powder from sea pearl shells, crushed into fine powder.
Applying a similar make-up, the Egyptian female pharaohs looked as if they had put a mask on their faces. However, a similar image was considered ideal in this country. He allowed to feel their own dignity, which is an understanding of the absolute feminine value.
Hair
Beautiful in ancient Egypt were considered smooth thick hair with black color. That is why women carefully looked after their curls. They washed their heads with water, in which they dissolved citric acid. Almond oil served as a conditioner in those days.
The hair of an Egyptian woman was certainly dyed. To do this, they used henna, as well as paint, which included crow eggs, bull fat, as well as black blood of animals. Hair could be dyed to give them different shades. To obtain the desired color, henna was mixed with crushed tadpoles. A mixture of buffalo blood boiled in oil contributed to the staining of gray hair. According to legend, such a solution also had magical properties. The Egyptians believed that the dark color of the animal's skin was transferred to their hair. To combat baldness and improve the growth of curls, rhino, tiger or lion fat was applied to them.
Hairstyle
The way hair was laid was in ancient Egypt the most important indicator of the social status of their mistress. The top of grace was considered a high hairstyle, which emphasized the length of the neck. But over time, it became unfashionable for the nobility to style their hair. Only people on the lower social level continued to do this. Know the beginning to use wigs. They were made from fibers and threads of plants, animal hair and natural hair. The wigs were black. They were decorated with beads made of semiprecious stones and gold. A little later, already at the sunset of the civilization of Ancient Egypt, wigs of blue, orange and yellow began to be considered fashionable. In order to protect the head from heat stroke and from lice, women shortly cut their hair or shaved it. The Egyptians carefully looked after wigs. They combed them with a comb made of wood and ivory.
By the way, shaved heads were considered one of the privileges of the priestly caste. Even children were cut off, regardless of their gender. Only one “infant lock” was left at the top of the head.
The ancient Egyptians could create quite complex hairstyles, consisting of many small braids. Researchers believe that this fashion was borrowed from the peoples of Asia Minor.
To create a hairstyle, curling was also used. An example of this is the wig that adorned the head of the goddess Hathor. It is distinguished by two large locks of hair, which with their curled ends fall to the chest.
Often, cones were placed on top of the wig, in which they poured fragrant lipstick made from animal fat and perfumes. This composition gradually melted in the sun and flowed through the hair, exuding a fragrance.
Beauty attributes
The best evidence that women of Ancient Egypt paid much attention to their face and body are considered vessels and jars for cosmetics, paints, perfumes, various grindings found by archaeologists, as well as all kinds of spatulas and spoons, hairpins, combs, hairpins, mirrors and razor blades. Such accessories were found in large numbers and often had jewelry in the form of a symbol of the beauty goddess Hathor. This toolkit was stored in specially made caskets for this. A similar thing was an indispensable attribute in the interior of a noble Egyptian.
Use of fragrances
The ancient Egyptians were among the first to engage in the production of incense and perfumes, which later became the objects of stable export. Dioscorides also noted the ability of this people to make great oils. Especially often lilies were used for this. Masters squeezed flower petals, and also used infusions from the bark and fruits of plants. The Egyptians were especially fond of lotus and cinnamon, cardamom and iris, mioru, sandalwood and almonds.
In the manufacture of aromas, an extract extracted from the glands of an antelope was also used. The substance produced by this desert animal, and is today a constant component in the formulation of expensive French cosmetics and goods exported by modern Egypt. The value of this extract is its unusually persistent aroma.
Beauty recipes
And today, modern Egyptian women enjoy using magnificent oils and extracts of animal and vegetable origin, the recipes of which were invented in their native land many centuries ago. At any oriental bazaar in this country, you can see a huge variety of similar products that are recommended for use not only in cosmetics but also for medicinal purposes.
So, lotus oil gives strength and inspires energy. The aroma obtained from jasmine soothes and gives a sense of inner balance, as well as a sense of confidence. Wild orange oil is often added to face products. A similar ingredient tones the skin and gives it a fresh look. This oil is also indispensable in the fight against cellulite. To give the skin elasticity, it is rubbed into problem areas, previously mixed in equal proportions with sandalwood oil. The last substance is able to moisturize the skin, warm and soften it. In addition, sandalwood oil perfectly strengthens nails. When washing hair, 1-2 drops of this substance are added to the shampoo. This allows you to accelerate the growth of curls.
The use of sesame oil slows down the aging process of the skin and protects it from sunlight. Another recipe for the beauty of Egyptian women has survived to this day. This is a milk-honey bath, which Queen Cleopatra was very fond of taking.
Another unique cosmetic recipe is a detailed description of the test, made from panicles of the nomad. This is a multidisciplinary tool that rejuvenates the skin, smoothes wrinkles, brightens age spots and stimulates hair growth.
Skin care
Egyptian women were notable for their cleanliness. At the same time, they paid great attention to body and face care. Representatives of the upper class quite often took baths with aromatic products, cleansed the skin using special mixtures of ash and clay. To give softness and smoothness to the skin, they rubbed grated chalk cream into it. It is believed that it was the Egyptians who invented the scrub, which included sea salt and ground coffee beans. An analogue of modern soap in ancient Egypt was beeswax. It was bred in water, after which it was used for ablution.
In order to protect the skin from the scorching rays of the sun and strong winds, the Egyptians applied natural oils and sheep fat to it. They fought wrinkles using a mixture of honey and salt.
Ancient Egyptians valued their hair only on their heads. To remove excess vegetation on the body, they invented waxing. Women got rid of unnecessary hairs, applying a paste-like mass of starch, lime and arsenic to the skin. An analogue of this tool was a mixture of beeswax and sugar.
clothing
Judging by the evidence of ancient documents, the outfits of Egyptian women during the time of the Pharaohs were elegant and at the same time practical. Preference was given to dresses that had no frills in the decoration and tight-fitting figure. In a later period, the Egyptian clothes of women were somewhat modified in their style. Dresses became double. The lower one was made of dense but thin material. The upper one was wide and translucent.
In order to give the figure greater harmony, the dress was pulled over with two belts. One of them was located at the waist, and the second - above the chest. At times, Egyptian women's clothing consisted of three dresses. The topmost one looked like a short cloak and was decorated with embroidery.
By the way a woman dressed, one could determine her social status. For professional dancers and singers, the outfits were the same as for noble ladies. The wardrobe of slaves and maidservants consisted of short dresses. Such clothes did not constrain movements.
Egyptian man and woman never did without jewelry. Both sexes wore pendants and chains, necklaces, rings and bracelets. A purely feminine accessory was only earrings.
Due to the fact that the ideal beauty in ancient Egypt was a slender figure, the women's skirt was sewn so as to tightly fit the calves. It also did not allow taking big steps, which strictly regulated the gait and allowed the hostess to move around with self-esteem. The chest in such a dress was naked, but at the same time not exposed. The whole outfit was designed to maintain harmony and naturalness.
The clothing of the inhabitants of ancient Egypt was thought out and functional. Due to the hot climate, being in the Nile Valley, outfits could not be worn at all. But this only concerned men. Initially, they wore only primitive drapery attached in front of the middle of the belt. It was made from a narrow strip of leather or reed stalks woven together. Subsequently, the men dressed in shhenti - an Egyptian apron. Women (photos of sculptural images are presented below) did not have any aprons in their wardrobe.
Scenti were worn by all Egyptian men, from farmers to pharaohs. These aprons were a triangular or rectangular piece of fabric, one part of which was folded and applied in front. The rest wrapped around the body. Its free end sank under the part that was in front.
The shoes of the inhabitants of ancient Egypt were quite simple. It consisted of sandals, the main details of which were a leather sole and several straps covering the leg. At the same time, women's shoes were no different from men's shoes.
Names
Among the ancient Egyptians, as, indeed, among other peoples, the names were intended to emphasize the individuality of a person, his appearance and character, devotion to a particular god, etc.
For example, Nefertiti means "beautiful." The Egyptian names of women, as well as men, often had the names of deities as one of their constituent parts. This was a person’s hope for a supportive attitude of higher forces. There were also prophecy names in Ancient Egypt. They were the answer of the oracle deity to the request of the parents.