The ancient Egyptians used kohl to protect their eyes from the scorching desert sun

 The ancient Egyptians used kohl to protect their eyes from the scorching desert sun

The ancient Egyptians used kohl based on lead, which was toxic, but they did not know how dangerous it was. While applying make-up

All classes in ancient Egypt were workers and kings who put kohl on their eyes and so the thick black make-up known all over the world appeared, and people still use it in North Africa and Central Asia

The ancient Egyptians did not put cosmetics on their faces, just to make up and improve their appearance only, but they used powders during their usual rituals to also carry a symbolic meaning, and it is believed that they put kohl, to protect their eyes from the scorching desert sun.

The components of kohl in Egypt were numerous and some were rare and expensive, as the majority were made of lead sulfide, and it also contained medicinal herbs of saffron and fennel, and the ancient Egyptians diluted all these materials with liquids including water, milk, animal fats and oil, which made them more amenable to being placed on the eye.

As for lipstick, the servants in the Pharaonic era used to mix animal fats, or vegetable oils, and paint, but Cleopatra was famous for mashing beetles, to get the right degree of red color