At all times, a woman was perceived as a source of inspiration and beauty. At the same time, each nation, in accordance with the peculiarities of life, cultural traditions and beliefs, created a certain image.
He served as the standard of female beauty, and sometimes not only for many years, but for centuries. And what was a similar ideal in Egypt? This is a face with fine features, full lips and large almond-shaped eyes, in contrast to the elongated graceful figure and heavy hair. Such a woman should have evoked the idea of an exotic plant perched on a flexible, swaying stem.
Applying cosmetics
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 the excavations of archaeologists, on the site of whichresearchers discovered the first creams that were used to combat facial aging processes. Tonic additives, as well as infusions of medicinal herbs and flowers were added to these compositions.
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 ideas about female beauty existed in this country?
Shape
We can judge the beauty ideals of Egyptian women (photos of images below) from the frescoes that have survived to this day.
In this country, such ideas corresponded to a slender body with well-developed muscles. Egyptian women were considered beautiful with small breasts, broad shoulders, long legs and neck, thick black hair and narrow hips. At the same time, their figure should certainly be slender 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 home. In Egyptian myths, you can find a different description of the image of this woman. Sometimes she was affectionate and graceful, and sometimes vindictive and aggressive.
Makeup
The magic of the look of Egyptian women and the ability to command them by other people was sung by historians, writers and poets of all eras. However, to date, cosmetologists and makeup artists have not been able tounravel the secrets of the pharaoh's eyes. Today, they represent one of the most beautiful mysteries that came to us from the past.
Researchers find images of eyes on sarcophagi. It is believed that these drawings were amulets and indicated that even after his death, the deceased would see everything that happens in the world of the living.
Initially, only priests had the right to use cosmetics. Only they knew the secrets of making cosmetics. These compositions were necessary for priests to perform rituals, in particular, those that remove damage and protect from the evil eye. And only with the passage of 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 an Egyptian woman (see photo of the process below) were painted differently.
It was made from lapis lazuli, malachite and crushed dust. Such makeup allowed to give the eyes an almond shape. A darker black contour was obtained using antimony. Eye shadows were compositions that included dust of turquoise, malachite and clay.
In order to meet the ideal of beauty, the women of Egypt dilated the pupils and made their eyes shine. To do this, they dripped the juice of the plant,called "sleepy dope". Today we know it as belladonna.
Egyptians considered green eyes to be the most beautiful. That is why women circled them with paint made from copper carbonate. A little later it was replaced with black. The eyes were certainly lengthened to the temples and long and thick eyebrows were added.
Applied green paint for feet and nails. Malachite was ground to make it.
Another invention of the Egyptians was a special whitewash. They made it possible 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's lipstick was a mixture based on seaweed, iodine and bromine. Such ingredients were unsafe for he alth. Researchers believe that the well-known expression that beauty requires sacrifice arose precisely in connection with the use of this composition.
Cleopatra had her original lipstick recipe. She mixed crushed red beetles with crushed ant eggs. Fish scales were added to the mixture, giving the lips a shine.
Blush for the cheekbones and cheeks of the Egyptians served as a caustic juice obtained from iris. It irritated the skin, leaving it red for a long time.
A beautiful Egyptian woman was considered when she hid all the defects of the skin of her face, giving it a shimmering even matte shade. To do this, she had to apply powder from sea mother-of-pearl shells, crushed into a fine powder.
Egyptian female pharaohs wearing similar make-upThey looked like they were wearing a mask over their face. However, such an image was considered ideal in this country. He allowed to feel his own dignity, which is an understanding of the absolute female 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 citric acid was dissolved. 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, and black animal blood. Hair could be dyed to give them different shades. To obtain the desired color, henna was mixed with crushed tadpoles. The coloring of gray hair was facilitated by a mixture of buffalo blood, boiled in oil. According to legend, such a solution also had magical properties. The Egyptians believed that the dark color of an 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 styled 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 at the lowest social level continued to do this. Know same began 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 semi-precious stones and gold. Somewhat later, already at the decline of the civilization of Ancient Egypt, blue, orange and yellow wigs began to be considered fashionable. In order to protect their heads from heatstroke and head lice, women cut their hair short or shaved. The Egyptians took great care of their wigs. They combed them with a comb of wood and ivory.
By the way, shaved heads were considered one of the privileges of the priestly caste. Even children were shaved, regardless of their gender. Only one "baby curl" 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.
Waving was also used to create the hairstyle. An example of this is the wig that adorned the head of the goddess Hathor. He is distinguished by two large strands of hair that fall over his chest with their curled ends.
Often, cones were placed on top of the wig, in which fragrant lipstick made from animal fat and fragrances were poured. This composition gradually melted in the sun and flowed down the hair, exuding fragrance.
Attributes of beauty
The best proof that the women of Ancient Egypt paid much attention to their face and body are vessels and jars found by archaeologists for cosmetics, paints, perfumes, various rubbing, as well as all kinds ofspatulas and spoons, hairpins, combs, hairpins, mirrors and razor blades. Such accessories were found in large quantities and often had decorations in the form of the symbol of the goddess of beauty Hathor. This toolkit was stored in chests specially made for this purpose. Such a thing was an indispensable attribute in the interior of a noble Egyptian.
Using fragrances
The ancient Egyptians were among the first to manufacture incense and perfume, which later became a stable export. Even Dioscorides noted the ability of this people to make excellent 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, myora, sandalwood and almonds.
In the manufacture of fragrances, an extract obtained from the glands of an antelope was also used. The substance produced by this desert animal is today an invariable component in the formulation of expensive French cosmetics and a product exported by modern Egypt. The value of this extract lies in its unusually persistent aroma.
Beauty recipes
Today, modern Egyptian women are happy to use the magnificent oils and extracts of animal and vegetable origin, the recipes of which were invented in their native land many centuries ago. In any oriental bazaar in this country, you can see a huge variety of such products, which are recommended for use notonly for cosmetic purposes, but also for medicinal purposes.
Thus, lotus oil gives strength and inspires energy. The scent, derived from jasmine, is soothing and gives a sense of inner balance, as well as a feeling of confidence. Wild orange oil is often added to facial products. A similar ingredient tones the skin and gives it a fresh look. This oil is 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 latter 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 and honey bath, which Queen Cleopatra was very fond of taking.
Another unique cosmetic recipe is a detailed description of the dough made from the panicles of the nomadic. It is a multi-purpose treatment that rejuvenates the skin, smoothes wrinkles, brightens age spots and stimulates hair growth.
Skincare
Egyptian women were distinguished by 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 their skin using special mixtures of ash and clay. For softness and smoothness of the skinthey rubbed creams based on grated chalk into it. It is believed that it was the Egyptians who invented the scrub, which included sea s alt and ground coffee beans. An analogue of modern soap in ancient Egypt was beeswax. It was diluted in water, after which it was used for washing.
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 s alt.
Ancient Egyptians valued hair only on the head. To remove excess vegetation on the body, they invented waxing. Women got rid of unwanted hairs by applying a paste-like mass of starch, lime and arsenic to the skin. The analogue of this remedy was a mixture of beeswax and sugar.
Clothes
Judging by the evidence of ancient documents, the outfits of Egyptian women in the time of the pharaohs were elegant and at the same time practical. Preference was given to dresses that had no frills in decoration and tightly fitted the figure. In a later period, Egyptian women's clothing was somewhat modified in its style. Dresses became double. The lower one was sewn from a dense but thin material. The upper one was wide and translucent.
In order to make the figure more slender, the dress was tightened 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 of them looked like a short cloak and was decorated with embroidery.
It was possible to dress according to the manner of a womandetermine her social position. Professional dancers and singers had the same outfits as noble ladies. The wardrobe of slaves and maids consisted of short dresses. Such clothes did not hinder movement.
Egyptian man and woman never did without jewelry. Both sexes wore pendants and chains, necklaces, rings and bracelets. Only earrings were a purely feminine accessory.
Due to the fact that the ideal of 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 large steps, which strictly regulated the gait and allowed the hostess to move with dignity. The chest in such a dress was naked, but at the same time not on display. The whole outfit was designed to maintain harmony and naturalness.
The clothes of the inhabitants of ancient Egypt were thought out and functional. Due to the hot climate, being in the Nile Valley, outfits could not be worn at all. But that only applied to men. Initially, they wore only a primitive drapery attached to the front in the middle of the belt. It was made from a narrow strip of leather or reed stems woven together. In the future, the men dressed in skhenti - an Egyptian apron. For women (a photo of the sculptural images is presented below), there were no aprons in the wardrobe.
Skhenti was worn by all Egyptian men, from farmers to pharaohs. These aprons were a triangular or rectangular piece of cloth,one part of which was gathered into folds and applied in front. The rest wrapped around the body. Its free end was lowered under the part that was in front.
The shoes of the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt were quite simple. It was a sandal, 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.
Names
Among the ancient Egyptians, as well as among other peoples, names were designed 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 components. This was the hope of man for the favorable attitude of higher powers. There were also prophecy names in Ancient Egypt. They were the oracle deity's response to the parents' request.
