Women, and some men, have been using make-up and other cosmetics to define their facial features, especially the eyes, and to improve their appearance for thousands of years. Evidence of this comes from the Bible and from Egyptian burials as far back as 10,000 BC. Mineral eyeshadow is placed on the upper eyelid to provide both depth and color.
The Egyptians, as do women all over the world today, employed a black powdery substance known then, as now, as kohl. It was used to define the shape of the eyes, fend off infections of the eye, improve vision and dampen glare from the bright sunlight on the sands. Then, kohl was made from antimony, copper, malachite, ochre, ash and burnt almonds.
In the 7th and 8th centuries BC, the Greeks used what they called 'fucus', a mineral substance derived from lapis luzuli and malachite to produce vibrant blues and greens. Fucus and other beautifying substances formed an important part of the Greek economy at the time.
With the expansion of their empire, the Romans were introduced to the Iranians who, like the Egyptians, used kohl to fend off the attentions of the evil eye. They adapted the sacred oils for use in sexual practices. Eventually, they discovered medicinal and spiritual uses for the materials.
Bronze Age India left evidence that kohl was employed by people of all ages, including young infants, to repel not only the evil eye, but bacteria and glare as well. This practice spread to Morocco and all over Africa. The substance they used then was derived from antimony and lead. History does not record how many people went blind or died from the poisonous heavy metals, but today's kohl is completely safe.
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.
The Egyptians, as do women all over the world today, employed a black powdery substance known then, as now, as kohl. It was used to define the shape of the eyes, fend off infections of the eye, improve vision and dampen glare from the bright sunlight on the sands. Then, kohl was made from antimony, copper, malachite, ochre, ash and burnt almonds.
In the 7th and 8th centuries BC, the Greeks used what they called 'fucus', a mineral substance derived from lapis luzuli and malachite to produce vibrant blues and greens. Fucus and other beautifying substances formed an important part of the Greek economy at the time.
With the expansion of their empire, the Romans were introduced to the Iranians who, like the Egyptians, used kohl to fend off the attentions of the evil eye. They adapted the sacred oils for use in sexual practices. Eventually, they discovered medicinal and spiritual uses for the materials.
Bronze Age India left evidence that kohl was employed by people of all ages, including young infants, to repel not only the evil eye, but bacteria and glare as well. This practice spread to Morocco and all over Africa. The substance they used then was derived from antimony and lead. History does not record how many people went blind or died from the poisonous heavy metals, but today's kohl is completely safe.
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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