Cleopatra's bath, known today as the "bath of beauty", is one of the characteristic treatments of caring for the image already practiced in ancient Egypt. It is not surprising then that in all subsequent eras, the cult of beautiful skin and the perfection of the body played such a significant role. Let's find out the secrets of Egyptian beauty treatments and the recipe for this wonderful bath. The ancient Egyptians are considered pioneers in the field of cosmetics and beauty treatments. After the trend for Korean and Japanese skincare that has dominated for several seasons now, it's time to check how Egyptian skincare works. Queen Cleopatra or Nefertiti, wife of the Egyptian pharaoh, are considered symbols of perfect beauty, they have achieved mastery in caring for beauty. It will probably come as no surprise that the ancient Egyptians, both male, and female, were fans of beauty products. To look after their appearance, they used all kinds of natural products from their own country, as well as from very distant places. Although the ingredients and recipes of the drugs used by the Ancient Egyptians are over five thousand years old, some of their ideas are still used today. The beauty of Egyptian women was famous all over the world, so let's take a look at ten beauty secrets to which they owed their beauty. Even representatives of the oldest civilizations felt the need to decorate their faces and bodies. The ancient Egyptians also did not deny themselves the opportunity to improve their beauty. Their make-up had not only an aesthetic but also ... magical meaning. Many of the subjects of the pharaohs had a "magic look", quite literally.
What was used in ancient Egypt is also true today. The secret of care were ingredients such as olive oil, honey, sunflower oil, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, and beeswax - these ingredients are often used by cosmetics manufacturers. One of the ingredients appreciated by Egyptians was olive oil, rich in polyphenols with antioxidant, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties and full of beauty vitamins: A, B, C, E, and F. Olive oil strongly nourishes, moisturizes, and regenerates the skin, delays the symptoms of aging and smoothes existing wrinkles. In addition, it replenishes lipid deficiencies in the epidermis, protecting the skin against external factors. On the other hand, beeswax, a natural moisturizer, used in Egyptian care, perfectly protects the skin against excessive loss of moisture. Beeswax supports the production of collagen and elastin, has bactericidal, smoothing, and antioxidant properties. Accelerates wound healing, nourishes the epidermis, nourishes and soothes it.
Honey, on the other hand, was a precious ingredient used in daily care in ancient Egypt due to its versatile action. Nowadays, it is also used thanks to its unusual properties. Due to the rich content of gluconic, malic, and citric acids, vitamins, minerals, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and biotin, honey has antibacterial, regenerating, and healing properties. It smoothes and strengthens the skin, reduces imperfections, hydrates, and tones dry skin, and strengthens its resistance to external factors. Another ingredient is bee pollen, rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and proteins - it has a bio stimulating effect, improves appearance, and delays the aging process. Royal jelly, on the other hand, rebuilds tissues and causes an inflow of vital forces in the skin cells. It adds beautiful color to the skin, that is, to put it simply: rejuvenates. An extremely valuable ingredient in care, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, propolis is also eagerly used in Egypt. Its name in Greek means "city wall" because it is propolis that protects the hive against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Extremely rich in flavonoids and 300 bioactive substances, heals acne and prevents imperfections, and also fights free radicals, and regenerates the skin. The Egyptians took great care of their body. The baths took place three times a day, and the most popular cleanser was a mixture of ash and clay. Body cosmetics based on Egyptian care habits available on the market use the properties of honey, propolis, aloe, and milk. An excellent body care ingredient used in Egypt was especially goat's milk (in which Cleopatra took a bath regularly). No wonder - this milk, considered one of the most valuable and effective resources of natural origin, has very strong moisturizing properties. Proteins present in it strongly hydrate the body and stimulate cell renewal. Cosmetics based on goat's milk increase skin elasticity and hydration and smooth it. Such products perfectly moisturize and lubricate the skin, and at the same time are perfectly absorbed into it. They are ideal especially for people with very dry skin. Egypt's hair was cared for with the same care as it was for other parts of the body. The most important thing was to effectively protect the hair from insects, so they were sprinkled with copious scents and anointed with fragrant olives. Ease of combing, silky shine, and greater fluffiness was provided by natural ingredients for Egyptian women: castor oil and mixtures of honey and milk. Goat's milk also provided hair with smoothness and shine.
Dignified, tall, proportional figures - this is how the inhabitants of ancient Egypt were depicted from the so-called high society. However, the gray reality was far from these representations, as excavations clearly indicate that the ancient Egyptians were short, fat, and bald. They often struggled with numerous diseases as well as body imperfections. Therefore, in order to hide these imperfections, they undergo many cosmetic procedures. Their main goal was to hide imperfections on the face and body, to give the skin a pleasant smell (for this purpose, the body was rubbed with fragrant oils), and to create the appearance of a perfect figure (wearing high wigs or rich robes). What ideal did the ancient Egyptians strive for? Well, this was the ideal image for the figure of Tutankhamun and the bust of Nefertiti. The inhabitants of ancient Egypt, if their status allowed them, wanted to resemble these characters as much as possible. The ideal woman had large eyes underlined with dark pencils, bulging lips, and a slender figure. The man, on the other hand, had to always be shaved and slightly obese, as his abundant figure is evidence of his wealth. Today's cosmetology is based on knowledge from ancient Egypt. It was there that the beneficial properties of such plants as chamomile, sage, cedar, cypress, and the miraculous power of numerous floral aromas were disseminated. In ancient Egypt, you should also look for the basics of makeup. Ocher and iron oxide replaced the cheek blush for Egyptian women, and the combination of ocher and gum resin - lipstick. Egyptians exposed to high air temperature had to protect their skin from excessive drying. For this purpose, the leather was oiled or dyed with natural dyes. It was also possible to combine cosmetic and prophylactic treatment because the black line around the eye not only emphasized the beautiful, large eyes of Egyptian women but also protected the eye from dust and numerous bacteria. Egyptian women also knew ways to lighten and exfoliate dry skin. For this purpose, they made their own peeling from fat and chalk. The ancient Egyptians looked for a way to get bald because the ideal of a man showed a man with lush hair. Unfortunately, in those days, baldness was a common thing, for which it was difficult to find any advice. Attempts were made to compose special mixtures for hair growth or the hair was painted with henna. Hair was not welcome on other parts of the body, so depilation treatments were performed, prepared from a mixture of honey and resin, applied to the skin like a modern sugar paste. The body was also cared for after death, therefore the body was embalmed. One of the most popular Egyptian beauty treatments today is Cleopatra's bath. In the ancient world, Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, was considered a model of beauty. It took a lot of effort to maintain such a great image. Women from the ancient world often used cosmetics made entirely of natural, but often dubious ingredients for their care. Legend has it that in order to preserve the vitality and beauty of the skin, Cleopatra regularly took baths in donkey's milk. It is said that in order to prepare such a one-time bath, milk from 700 donkeys was needed. Today, the recipe for Cleopatra's bath has undergone many modifications, although it is still believed that the most valuable variety is bathing in the donkey or, possibly, goat's milk. This milk strongly moisturizes the skin, revitalizes it, and leaves it smooth and firm.
Thousands of years before the pyramids were built and before the invention of modern mascara, men, women, and children of all classes of Egyptian society applied makeup. Moreover, they were absolutely convinced that even death did not absolve them from the obligation to paint. Believing deeply that the afterlife is not very different from the temporal and that similar items are needed in it, the subjects of the pharaohs on their last journey took cosmetics and make-up accessories that archaeologists find in their tombs. As Ana Ruiz writes in the book "The Spirit of Ancient Egypt", for example, slate palettes used for grinding cosmetics, which date back to 3300 BC, were unearthed in them. The consistency obtained in this way was to help the cosmetics stay on the skin as long as possible, which was not easy under the scorching African sun. Keeping the makeup in decent condition was quite important as it served many purposes. It was regarded as an ornament, but also carried a magical and religious meaning. The most important and visible element of Egyptian makeup was eye care. The characteristic eye makeup has penetrated into the pop culture after many millennia. It is worn by Cleopatra with the face of Liz Taylor in the monumental film from 1963 and the one from the film about the adventures of Asterix and Obelix and Nefertiti from the famous bust. It was the appearance of Liz Taylor in "Cleopatra" that inspired the crazy fashion for "Egyptian makeup" in the sixties. How was this strong line created? It was drawn with kohl, which has survived as a cosmetic until our times. The one used by the ancient Egyptians was a complex blend of many ingredients. Among them, the most important were: powdered metal (antimony), roasted almonds, lead, oxidized copper, ocher, ash, malachite, chrysocolla. All these mysteriously sounding mixed substances were stored in special vessels. Before use, they were moistened with water or oil and then applied with a special applicator. As we can read in Margaret Bunson's Ancient Egyptian Encyclopedia, a great deal of attention was paid to painting this part of the face. It was also due to religious premises - attempts were made to recreate the eye of Ra, which is a protective talisman, or the eye of Horus. Makeup in a shade of malachite ensured connection with the goddess Hathor, known as the "Lady of Malachite". As Aleksandra Hallmann-Mikołajczyk writes in an article devoted to makeup in the land of the pharaohs, Egyptian women tried to give their eyes an almond shape. They did it by applying lipstick around the lash line and extending the corner all the way to the eyebrows. The eyebrows were also strongly marked and extended according to the natural direction of the line. Similar makeup was done by both men and women. Interestingly, although the image of the Egyptian black line has become established in pop culture, the eyes were also painted green. This is confirmed by archaeological finds - both types of cosmetics (black and green) appear in the tombs. Excavations in Egypt prove that the career of red lipstick extends well beyond the 20th century. A few thousand years ago, lips were dyed this color. Researchers found a capillary that probably contains lipstick. When it was carefully examined, it turned out that one-third of it consists of a red dye - ocher. The other ingredients include resin and fat, among others. Scientists speculate that the texture of the lipstick at that time resembled today's and was applied with a brush or spatula. Hallman-Mikołajczyk also provides information that an erotic Egyptian papyrus depicts a woman painting her lips with a brush. Women of the royal family and those of the upper classes defended their faces against the sun as much as possible. They also ensured good hydration, as evidenced by the preserved recipes of creams. Despite the scorching sun, the Egyptian women tried to keep their skin as light as possible, and if necessary, they were ready to help nature by artificially brightening it. This was reflected in the tomb paintings, where they were depicted with an almost white complexion. A pale face was a sign of noble origin - it proved that a woman could afford not to work physically and stay out of the sun for too long. The Egyptians did not put a thick layer of powder on the face, but, like paintings from the era show, they were able to use it. The relief, currently in the British Museum in London, shows a woman who applies powder with a special applicator - in her hand she holds a characteristic powder puff. The faces of the Pharaohs' subjects could not fail to blush their cheeks. Also, painting nails is by no means a modern invention. Tile staining was popular in Egypt. Varnishes as we understand it today did not yet exist. The nails were dyed mainly with henna, which allowed them to obtain a yellow or orange shade. As Lisa Eldridge emphasizes on the pages of “Facepaint. The history of makeup ”, colored manicure was a sign of high status, and dark was reserved for dynasties and courtiers. It is said that Cleopatra liked rusty red nails, and Nefertiti liked ruby red.
Hollywood models and celebrities love cosmetics based on ancient, natural recipes. There are many products on the Polish market that use the properties of ingredients popular in ancient Egypt, but multi-functional and multi-purpose cosmetics have also appeared on sale. The Egyptian Magic cream available in the Sephora network is a multi-purpose care lotion based on only six natural ingredients: olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, and propolis. It can be used as a moisturizing face cream, make-up remover, eye cream, lip balm, hand, and cuticle cream, and serum for dry hair ends. It is a cosmetic that heals, soothes, and protects. In turn, the Egyptian Miracle emergency cream is a unique composition based on a 100% natural formula, offered by the Eveline Cosmetics brand. The product contains seven beneficial ingredients: olive oil, honey, sunflower oil, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, and beeswax. The product combines the properties of seven products: it can be used as a deeply nourishing face cream, smoothing mask, moisturizing eye cream, nourishing lip balm, regenerating hand cream, a professional cosmetic that reduces the visibility of scars and stretch marks, and strongly repairing hair conditioner. The formula of the cream, under the influence of the heat of the hands, turns into an ultra-nourishing oil, which is perfect for comprehensive care literally from the feet to the top of the head. Oriflame offers the Milk & Honey Gold Precious Collection hand and body cream - a rich cream with a wonderful fragrance and a luxurious formula with organically sourced milk and honey extracts. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin, making it soft and smooth. In turn, Avon offers a balm with beeswax and honey from the Naturals line. It is a universal product that deeply nourishes and moisturizes the skin, restoring its softness and smoothness. It can be used on the face and body, but also, if necessary, on dry skin areas that require special nourishment (lips, elbows, hands, and nails). A universal balm with organic honey extract, or Tender Care by Oriflame, is a product based on beeswax. The wax protects and nourishes the lips, providing the skin with extraordinary softness. It can also be used on the face, especially on the driest areas of the face, such as lips, nostrils, or nostrils in winter. Tender Care can also be used on dry parts of the body - try its action on cuticles, hands, elbows or knees, feet, and legs. With its help, you can transform any eyeshadow, blush, or lipstick into a shiny, nourishing cosmetic - just rub some of it with a colored cosmetic. Nourishing and soothing face and body butter Relief is a product with beeswax from Honey Mydlarnia, with a light, fluffy texture, which will quickly and effectively lubricate, moisturize and soothe the skin. It dissolves under the influence of body temperature, is perfectly absorbed into the skin, and is perfect for the daily care of delicate and sensitive skin, as well as for dry, flaccid, aging, and requiring renewal. It is always recommended when the skin needs help and relief.
Each of us, at home, can treat our body to a royal bath in the style of Cleopatra, to enjoy silky smooth and nourished skin, just like her. To do this, mix ¼ cup of real honey with 100 ml of gently warmed full-fat milk (preferably goat milk). Then pour the mixture into a tub of warm water. Immerse yourself in the milk bath and stay in it for 15-20 minutes. Regularly repeating this beauty ritual will keep your skin in perfect condition for many years.
Ocher, composed of iron oxides found in some glycan and sand deposits, is the oldest known human pigment. In Ancient Egypt, it was used to color the lips and cheeks. The other was ground into very fine dust, mixed with water, and applied to the lips and cheeks. Women in Ancient Egypt loved face masks and their favorite ingredient was fenugreek seeds because they had smoothing properties. Today, we know that fenugreek seeds have antibacterial and antifungal properties, so they may have helped Egyptian women heal minor skin infections. The inhabitants of Ancient Egypt, like us now, were not very fans of body hair, so they used sugar as part of epilation. They heated the sugar in water to make a paste, then applied it in this form to the skin and used it in the same way that wax is used today. The difference is that sugar is much less painful than waxing, but it is equally effective in removing unwanted hair. The Egyptians also knew the benefits of avocado fruit for skincare. Like we do today, they crushed avocados into a paste, and then applied them to the skin of the face as a mask. To reduce eye puffiness and smooth the skin, they put fruit slices on the eyelids. Almond oil was used in Ancient Egypt as a moisturizing and toning cosmetic. Although it was not known at the time, this oil contains many nutrients that are essential for healthy skin, such as vitamin E, as well as healthy fats and protein. The Egyptians used almond oil after bathing to moisturize the skin. As a result, it was moisturized and smooth. As we know now - almond oil also has amazing anti-aging properties. Egyptian women used henna, which is a dye derived from the plant of the same name, to dye their hair as well as stain their nails. Henna left a yellow and orange color on the nails. It was also found to strengthen the nail plate. It is said that Cleopatra regularly visited the Dead Sea to bathe in its mineral-rich water. Dead Sea salt contains much more than just salt. It also contains various types of minerals. Even today you can buy salt of this kind, intended as a bath additive. It is said that it contains nutrients that are absorbed by the skin, thanks to which they nourish and rejuvenate it. Dead Sea salt also helps fight skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema. Egyptian women took great care of their personal hygiene, for which they used soaps made of animal fat, clay, and natural oils. These ancient soaps did not smell very nice on their own, so exotic fragrances such as incense and myrrh were added to them. While we're on the topic of great scents, we must mention that Egyptian women liked to smell good as well. They imported fragrances from all over the world, and some of their favorites were rosemary, cedar rose water, lavender, and thyme. Egyptian women applied these fragrances to the body just as we use perfumes today. They also added them to the bath. In the article about Egyptian beauty secrets, it is impossible not to mention the most famous woman of Egypt of all time - Cleopatra. Apparently, one of her favorite beauty treatments was bathing in donkey's milk. While stepping into a bathtub filled with milk is not something we would do nowadays, it would smooth the skin and the lactic acid in the milk would help get rid of the dead skin cells.
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