Clothing in Ancient Egypt Part 4- Hygiene and Cosmetics
Cleanliness was very important to the ancient Egyptians. Tomb paintings show the activity of washing clothes, giving that particular chore special meaning; the ancient Egyptians would depict, via artwork inside tombs, that which the tomb’s occupant would need in the afterlife. The cleanliness of the clothes was so important that there were two positions in the pharaoh’s household that held high honor: Royal Chief Washer and Royal Chief Bleacher. These two posts oversaw the washers and bleachers who actually performed the labor. The cloths were folded precisely so as to fall in the stylish pleats mentioned in previous posts. It was the Royal Chief Washer and the Royal Chief Bleacher who would gather the folded linens and put them away within the household (Erman, Life in Ancient Egypt, pg. 217).
The importance of cleanliness extends to a person’s body as well. Soap was a common component of any household, though it was quite different from modern soaps. Soap in ancient Egypt was made of natron salt, the same type of salt as was used in the mummification process. This salt was mixed with animal or vegetable oils. Another scouring agent other than salt that could have been used was sand. Baths and showers were not introduced to Egypt until the third century BC. Washbasins have been discovered, though many Egyptians may have simply used the Nile or a nearby canal. The feet especially became dirty as it was common for people to walk barefoot, as was mentioned in Clothing in Ancient Egypt Part 3: Footwear. Footbaths were common in upper-class households (http://www.reshafim.org).
Egypt is a very arid part of the world and dry air is hardly conducive to soft, healthy-looking skin. Dry skin was treated with oils, either animal or vegetable. These oils were often scented to drive away the smell of sweat that often clung to the person. Scents were not only used in the oils people used to moisturize themselves. In depictions of banquets, the diners are often portrayed with cones atop their heads. While these could simply be the result of artistic license, they may be scent cones. These cones were made of animal or vegetable grease infused with scents that would melt slowly, coating the hair and body in sweet odors (http://www.reshafim.org).
Cosmetics were an integral part of a person’s hygiene, as beauty was seen as health. There were a number of different cosmetics used by both men and women. The colors most often used were white, black, green and red. It was fashionable for women to powder themselves to look pale. Black cosmetics were made of kohl, which is still commonly used today in the Middle East. It is made of a powder of burnt Alstonia scholaris juice and sandlewood. This powder was, and still is, stored in miniscule jars with an accompanying stick of wood or some other thin applicator. Kohl, and the ingredients used to produce kohl, have long been believed to have medicinal properties, and was used as a medicine for the eyes as often as it was used as a cosmetic. Kohl rimmed the eyes and often lined the eyebrows. Green was another color often used to rim the eyes and was produced out of copper based minerals. Red pigment was made of ground red ochre. It was used as a powder for the cheeks and would be mixed with oils to paint the lips. Henna was also used in cosmetics, both to dye the hair an orange/red color and to dye the fingernails a similar color (http://www.reshafim.org).
The importance of cleanliness extends to a person’s body as well. Soap was a common component of any household, though it was quite different from modern soaps. Soap in ancient Egypt was made of natron salt, the same type of salt as was used in the mummification process. This salt was mixed with animal or vegetable oils. Another scouring agent other than salt that could have been used was sand. Baths and showers were not introduced to Egypt until the third century BC. Washbasins have been discovered, though many Egyptians may have simply used the Nile or a nearby canal. The feet especially became dirty as it was common for people to walk barefoot, as was mentioned in Clothing in Ancient Egypt Part 3: Footwear. Footbaths were common in upper-class households (http://www.reshafim.org).
Egypt is a very arid part of the world and dry air is hardly conducive to soft, healthy-looking skin. Dry skin was treated with oils, either animal or vegetable. These oils were often scented to drive away the smell of sweat that often clung to the person. Scents were not only used in the oils people used to moisturize themselves. In depictions of banquets, the diners are often portrayed with cones atop their heads. While these could simply be the result of artistic license, they may be scent cones. These cones were made of animal or vegetable grease infused with scents that would melt slowly, coating the hair and body in sweet odors (http://www.reshafim.org).
Cosmetics were an integral part of a person’s hygiene, as beauty was seen as health. There were a number of different cosmetics used by both men and women. The colors most often used were white, black, green and red. It was fashionable for women to powder themselves to look pale. Black cosmetics were made of kohl, which is still commonly used today in the Middle East. It is made of a powder of burnt Alstonia scholaris juice and sandlewood. This powder was, and still is, stored in miniscule jars with an accompanying stick of wood or some other thin applicator. Kohl, and the ingredients used to produce kohl, have long been believed to have medicinal properties, and was used as a medicine for the eyes as often as it was used as a cosmetic. Kohl rimmed the eyes and often lined the eyebrows. Green was another color often used to rim the eyes and was produced out of copper based minerals. Red pigment was made of ground red ochre. It was used as a powder for the cheeks and would be mixed with oils to paint the lips. Henna was also used in cosmetics, both to dye the hair an orange/red color and to dye the fingernails a similar color (http://www.reshafim.org).
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Wow just found this page really by mistake looking for something else. You have a nice blog and some interesting information, will check back soon.