History shows that cosmetics have been used since as early as the Ancient Egyptians. The way the Ancient Egyptians created black eye makeup was through the use of galena and kohl. Galena is a blue-grey natural mineral form of lead sulfide. Kohl is a mixture of soot and galena. The Egyptians also were able to create green eye makeup by using malachite, which is a copper ore, a carbonate mineral, copper carbonate hydroxide, which has a very vibrant green color. As for eye make up or rouge, the Egyptians used a pigment that is made from naturally tinted clay, which is called red ochre. Some other ways that the Egyptians created makeup was the use of henna, henna is a dye that is made from the leaves and shoots of the henna shrub. Henna was used from many purposes, and served as nail polish prior to mummification.

 

Not only did the men and woman of Ancient Egypt wear makeup, but also statues of Gods and Goddesses were adorned with the different types of cosmetics. As with most eras, the different type of makeup that one would wear, showed what your social status was.

 

The Ancient Egyptians had many reason for using makeup. One of the main reason for using eye makeup was to define the eye, and give the eyes a more cat like appearance. Also, kohl was prescribed for use against eye diseases. Galena, which is made from kohl had disinfectant qualities. Kohl also was a used as a shield against the sun and was a deterrent to flies. The Egyptians also used makeup for religious and magical reasons. Makeup was used to induce or evoke the eye of Horus, whom is the God of the sky and the sun.