Kohl
In
a word: eyeliner!
This mainstay of an ancient Egyptian man's and woman's cosmetic regimen is a powder, which can be mixed with oil or water and applied with a small stick; or, use the powder dry and apply with a modern cosmetic brush.
Reproducing this popular ancient cosmetic is tricky; the most common pigment was galena, which is lead ore... NOT something you want to put on your face! But, there is good news: a less common-- but still used-- pigment was brown ochre, which is iron oxide. This is a safe, non-toxic alternative to lead. (Still, be careful when applying anything near your eyes.)
Instructions for wearing:
You can use this kohl in 2 ways:
1. As you would any other loose-powder eyeliner: get a tiny brush, either one made specially for eyeliner, or a paintbrush size 000. Brush the kohl along the edge of your eyelid as you normally would. (You can use the kohl dry, or mix with a bit of water for a more solid, wet line.)
2. The way it is used in much of the Middle East: with a stick. This method puts the kohl not along the outside of your lashes, but on that little bit of eyelid between your eye and eyelashes; this cuts down on glare from the sun, while really making your eyes stand out dramatically. To do this, take a stick (as simple as a Q-tip with one end cut off), dip it in the kohl, shake off the excess, and then, starting at the inside corner of your eye, carefully place the stick almost touching your eye. Close your eyelids enough to touch the stick, then gently draw the stick out to the corner of your eye.
For a good video of method #2, we recommend either of these:
Video #1
or
Video #2
We have not yet made our own kohl application video, but these two (and others on YouTube) give you a good idea of what you're trying to do.
Remember not to extend the line too far from the outside corner of your eyelid. Here's a good illustration of the shape of the eye created by ancient Egyptian ladies (and gentlemen):
Image: from the tomb of Ramose, 18th dynasty.
Customer Reviews:
"I wore the kohl during [a recent dance show]. It really stayed on!... I did have to draw a small line on with my normal pencil first. Then, I traced over it and made it bolder with the kohl. It worked perfectly!"
This mainstay of an ancient Egyptian man's and woman's cosmetic regimen is a powder, which can be mixed with oil or water and applied with a small stick; or, use the powder dry and apply with a modern cosmetic brush.
Reproducing this popular ancient cosmetic is tricky; the most common pigment was galena, which is lead ore... NOT something you want to put on your face! But, there is good news: a less common-- but still used-- pigment was brown ochre, which is iron oxide. This is a safe, non-toxic alternative to lead. (Still, be careful when applying anything near your eyes.)
Instructions for wearing:
You can use this kohl in 2 ways:
1. As you would any other loose-powder eyeliner: get a tiny brush, either one made specially for eyeliner, or a paintbrush size 000. Brush the kohl along the edge of your eyelid as you normally would. (You can use the kohl dry, or mix with a bit of water for a more solid, wet line.)
2. The way it is used in much of the Middle East: with a stick. This method puts the kohl not along the outside of your lashes, but on that little bit of eyelid between your eye and eyelashes; this cuts down on glare from the sun, while really making your eyes stand out dramatically. To do this, take a stick (as simple as a Q-tip with one end cut off), dip it in the kohl, shake off the excess, and then, starting at the inside corner of your eye, carefully place the stick almost touching your eye. Close your eyelids enough to touch the stick, then gently draw the stick out to the corner of your eye.
For a good video of method #2, we recommend either of these:
Video #1
or
Video #2
We have not yet made our own kohl application video, but these two (and others on YouTube) give you a good idea of what you're trying to do.
Remember not to extend the line too far from the outside corner of your eyelid. Here's a good illustration of the shape of the eye created by ancient Egyptian ladies (and gentlemen):
Image: from the tomb of Ramose, 18th dynasty.
Customer Reviews:
"I wore the kohl during [a recent dance show]. It really stayed on!... I did have to draw a small line on with my normal pencil first. Then, I traced over it and made it bolder with the kohl. It worked perfectly!"
-Stephanie (Virginia)
