Saturday, August 3, 2013

A Condensed Background Of Mineral Eyeshadow

By Haywood Hunter


Women, men and even children have used mineral eyeshadow and other substances to augment their features and enhance their appearance for literally thousands of years. Evidence for this comes from the Old Testament (Ezekiel 23:40) and Egyptian burials dating back to 10,000 BC. Shadow is brushed onto the upper eyelids for color and depth.

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 700 and 800 years BC, the Greeks used a material they called 'fucus', made up of crushed malachite and lapis luzuli to produce vivid shades of greens and blues. This and other beautifying materials formed a vital segment of the Green economy.

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.

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.

Mineral eyeshadow today comes in a dizzying array of different shades. If there is a colored mineral, it can be crushed, made into powder and pressed into packaging for cosmetic use. The powder may be used as it comes, dry, or moistened with sterile water to produce more vibrant shades.




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