Galena which was used to make the kohl liner also had disinfectant properties [Lin12]. The lower class people working under the African sun wore it to help reduce glare, as well as having a fly deterrent quality, which was a great quality to acquire under the harsh conditions[Jud96].
In comparison to how makeup is bought today, packaged and ready to use, Egyptians had to prepare theirs using the galena, which was found on the Red Sea coast. It had to be ground down to a powder on a palette, this was then mixed with a substance, which some studies show was an ointment derived from animal fats [Tou96].
It is astonishing that all those thousands of years ago, along with cosmetics, Egyptians had eye makeup equipment. This was due to the fact that there was a process to get to the application of the product, it wasn't just a matter of getting the product and applying straight onto the skin. There is evidence of this equipment being found in the predynastic period among some of the earliest burials of this time. Equipment such as palettes, grinders and applicators were found which gives the impression that these items were essential to be received into the afterlife[Jud96].
4.1Womens makeup.
Women in the Egyptian era used a red ochre, which was made from naturally coloured clay, it had to be washed, dried or burnt in the sun, and this is what gave it its red colour. This was a method used and applied by the wealthier women of this era, they applied it to stain their lips and cheeks[Nic00]. The reason this was done was to give the impression of a youthful look and a healthy glow. This was a strong look that indicated that the woman was of a higher status, it helped them stand out from the working class citizens of that time, as their skin would be damaged and a lot darker from the severe conditions of working out in the sun. .
4.2Skin Care.
The rich also protected their skin with oils such as castor, sesame and moringa oil.