Thursday 23 November 2017

A Condensed Chronicle Of Mineral Eyeshadow

By Haywood Hunter


Women and men have used mineral eyeshadow and other forms of makeup to enhance their features, the eyes in particular, and to augment their appearance for millennia. The Book of Ezekiel mentions face painting in the Old Testament and there is evidence from Egyptian burials dating back as early as 10,000 years BC. Used on the upper lid, makeup provides both color and depth.

In Ancient Egypt as today, women have used a black powder known as kohl to outline their eyes, stave off eye infections, reduce glare and improve their eyesight. The kohl that they used then was a blend of burnt almonds, copper, malachite, antimony, ash and ochre.

Between 800 and 700 years BC, the Greeks had a substance called 'fucus', which they made from lapis luzuli and malachite, crushed and powdered to produce vivid blue and green eye shadows. This and other cosmetics at the time formed a significant part of the Greek economy.

With the expansion of the Roman Empire, the Romans eventually encountered the Iranian population. At that time, the Iranians used kohl in the same way as did the Egyptians, to fend off the evil eye. The irreverent Romans adapted the Egyptian oils that were used for sacred ceremonies and adapted them for sexual rituals. With time, the Romans discovered medicinal uses for the oils.

In Bronze Age India, kohl was used by everyone, including infants, to repel glare, bacterial infection as well as the evil eye. Then, kohl was made of lead and antimony. The use of this substance spread to Morocco and other African countries. Safer starting materials are used in modern kohl.

Today, mineral eyeshadow comes in a dazzling array of colors to complement hair color, wardrobe and mood. Nothing is impossible in the world of cosmetics, and every shade imaginable has been powdered, pressed and marketed. Powder may be used dry but it can also be moistened for more impact.




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