How to Use Ancient Egyptian Beauty Tricks of Cleopatra

Ancient Egypt was a time of many innovations--including beauty care!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup milk
• kohl
• saffron
• mud
• aloe vera
• henna

1. The Queen of Egypt was known for her beautiful complexion. She took a milk and honey bath daily. Draw a bath for yourself and pour in a cup of milk and half a cup of raw honey. Soak for at least twenty minutes. The milk cleanses deep layers of your skin because the lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (sound familiar--if you use those Stridex pads?) Honey has vitamins and minerals for a more nourishing factor.

2. Cleopatra used to take the egg white of an egg and apply it to her face. It takes several minutes for it to dry but once it does, it tightens every single pore on your face. It is also beneficial for its nutrients.

3. Cleopatra used a natural skin care routine consisting of a mud pack made with crocodile manure. Maybe just stick to a mud face mask! This is great when applied all over the body as well.

4. 

   Historians attribute Cleopatra for formulating how to make and apply make up. They used kohl for eyeliner; this black kohl was applied all around the eyes that fish-tailed out. Malachite (copper-tone) was used for blue and green eyeshadows that were applied on the top and bottom of eyes around the black kohl. It was essential to wear heavy eye make up to block out the sun's intense rays.

5. Saffron was mixed with red clay to make a blush. Burnt almonds were applied to eyebrows to add color. Goose fat was used to create cosmetics pastes. Egyptians packed their make up in jars, pouches or shells.

6. Cleopatra used aloe vera to fight wrinkles. This is known to be tried and true. Fenugreek seeds were used as a skin softener.

7. 
   Afrodit Koyu - Where Cleopatra Bathed

   Try to get products that have minerals from the Dead Sea.

8. After bath ancient Egyptians oiled their skin with frankincense and myrrh, probably for the fact that they lived in hot and arid climates.

9. In Cleopatra's era, most people shaved their heads and just wore black wigs; often adorned with outlandish hairstyles. However, on their natural hair if they chose to keep it, they soaked it in henna. Henna was also used to color fingernails as a sort of original manicure.

[AlohaVikki]

on 12/16/2008 I did not know this. Very interesting. I think I'll skip the crocodile manure though. ;)

[PABechko]

on 12/15/2008 Very fun and entertaining article filled with things I didn't know. Very nicely done.

[Mindee94]

on 12/12/2008 Great article. Thanks for this insight to the days and times of ancient Egypt. Where there is a woman there is a way. Kudos and thanks to Cleopatra!

[soanyway]

on 12/12/2008 Cool and interesting article! Thanks. I have recom'd you!