Enchanting Egyptian Eye Makeup Tutorial

Beauty was an important aspect of ancient Egyptian culture. So, if you are curious to learn about Egyptian eye makeup looks, you have come to the right place! Makeup can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt. Cleopatra is remembered for not only her intelligence but also her beauty. Nefertiti is also someone who is known for her power and feminine beauty. The Egyptians were very particular about their eye makeup, which included a lot of heavy black kohl and green eye paint.

This bygone era’s approach has had a powerful effect on present makeup trends. So, with this Egyptian eye makeup guide, we are transporting you back in history! Read on if you want to explore some tried-and-true Egyptian eye makeup techniques. Just keep scrolling!

Keep In Mind

• Application: Application Use pieces of scorching tape or the back of a spoon to draw out even creases.
• Products: Application Use an eye primer, waterproof makeup, and a setting spray to make the look last longer.
• Accessories: Application Pair your Egyptian look with accessories like chokers, headbands, rings, earrings, and amulets.
• Glitter: Application Use a bit of loose glitter in the middle of the eyelid to add that shimmer effect.

Egyptian Eye Makeup Tutorial

In ancient Egypt, eye makeup was much more than just a beauty trend. It carried much spiritual significance as well.

• The bold eye designs, often created with kohl, were believed to protect one from the sun’s glare and evil spirits.
• The Egyptians used to wear kohl to fight eye infections.
• The eye makeup wasn’t just about looking good; it was about aligning with divine forces and showing strength. Both men and women used eye makeup as a way to express their identity and connect with the gods.

Read the next section for a step-by-step guide to learn how to achieve the perfect Egyptian eye makeup look. Scroll down now!

Egyptian Eye Makeup Tutorial

This look is for the bold and the dramatic. It’s anything but basic. If you can handle standing out from the crowd or plan to dress as Cleopatra for Halloween, give this a shot. But before you go in with any makeup on your face, make sure you’ve thoroughly cleansed and moisturized. It is also essential to use an eye primer if you want your makeup to look fresh and flashy for hours.

What You Need

• Golden base eyeshadow
• Flat shading brush
• Black kohl pencil
• Neutral eyeshadow palette
• Fluffy brush
• Highlighter
• Blue eyeshadow
• Mascara
• False eyelashes

Step By Step Tutorial With Pictures

Step 1: Apply Your Base Eyeshadow

Once you’ve primed your lids and the area underneath your eyes, it’s time for your base eyeshadow. Use a metallic muted gold shade like Half Baked by Urban Decay and apply it all over your lid, going a little bit up into the crease. This is best done with the help of a flat shading brush.

Step 2: Shape Out Your Cut-Crease

Using a black kohl pencil, shape out the cut-crease that you want. To do this, draw a light line slightly above your natural crease line. Make sure you flick it out and up towards the end. For the inner corner, drag the line towards the side of your nose.

Step 3: Add Some Brown Shadow

Go over the kohl line with a pencil brush and a soft brown matte eyeshadow. The only thing to do here is to blend, blend, and blend some more.

Step 4: Create A Gradient

Use a black eyeshadow and a pencil brush to blend the first two colors (the kohl and the brown shadow). This step helps you create a gradient and also gets rid of any harsh lines. For a final touch, use a clean fluffy brush to go over this line and make sure it is properly blended.

Step 5: Highlight Your Brow Bone

Use a highlighter like Albatross from NARS and highlight your brow bone. Layer it on until you can see a prominent gold sheen.

Step 6: Jazz It Up With Blue Eyeshadow

Using a blue eyeshadow like Jewel Blue by MAC, apply the product on the outer ‘V’ of your eye. Blend it out well.

Step 7: Doing The Wing

Use your favorite liquid eyeliner to draw a thin wing that’s slightly elongated towards the outer corner. Using a card from the outer corner of the eye to the tail end of the brow is a great way to extend the liner and keep it clean and sharp. Make sure you extend the liner towards your inner tear duct to achieve a more Cleopatra-like effect. With a pencil liner, tight-line your upper lash line.

Fun Fact

Makeup in ancient Egypt had a dual function: aesthetics and protection against the elements. The kohl they used as part of eye makeup was meant to protect their eyes from the harsh sun rays.

Step 8: Add Some Mascara And Falsies

Glamorize your Egyptian eyes look by enhancing your lashes. Add some mascara and a pair of luscious falsies.

Here’s the final look!

Shonagh Scott, a YouTube vlogger, tried out the Egyptian eye makeup inspired by the classic colors attributed to the Pharaohs. She explained how she got the outline of the eye makeup, “I’m following the shape of my natural eye socket but making sure the line is a few millimeters above my natural crease. I’ve also created a slight curve on that outer corner, and now I’m drawing a line up from my lower lash line to meet the end of that curve. A great thing about using an eye shadow to map out the shape is if you make any mistakes is easy to wipe away (i).”

The focal point of the ancient Egyptians’ appearance was their eyes (no, they weren’t being extra). Now that you have a fair idea of how to achieve this vivid and unique eye makeup look, here are a few tips that will come in handy to keep your Egyptian makeup looks on fleek!

Fun Fact

Eye makeup in ancient Egypt was also traditionally believed to have powers to ward off the evil eye.

Tips And Tricks: Nailing The Egyptian Eye Makeup Look

• To secure your eye makeup, wear a primer. No matter what your skin type is, a primer is a must.
• If you have oily skin or you think you are going to get sweaty, wear waterproof eyeliner and mascara. You don’t want your makeup running down your face and turning into a giant mess.
• Mascara is essential, but don’t let your lashes steal the show here. For a more authentic Egyptian eye makeup look, concentrate on your eyeliner.
• Brows played a significant role even back in the day. Don’t forget to fill in sparse brows or darken your eyebrows with some brow pomade. This tiny step will further enhance the beauty of the look.

Infographic: The Ultimate Guide To Egyptian Eye Makeup

All of us have desired the enchanting Egyptian eye makeup ever since we saw Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra. It looks dramatic, capturing, and stunning. If you want to sport this glamorous look to take your makeup game up a notch, we can help. Check out the infographic below for a step-by-step tutorial to do Egyptian eye makeup.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Egyptians use black eyeliner?

It is believed that ancient Egyptians wore black eyeliner to protect their eyes from several diseases.

Why did Egyptians use eyeshadow?

The use of colorful eyeshadow in ancient Egypt was not just for beauty but also practicality, as it protected their eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Learning how to apply eyeshadow like a pro can help you recreate this historical look.

How did Egyptians put on eyeliner?

Ancient Egyptians used a small piece of wood or stick to apply kohl or galena.

Illustration: Egyptian Eye Makeup (Tutorial With Pictures)

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to recreate the iconic look of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra in the easy makeup tutorial video. Get ready to have the spotlight on you at all times!

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

R.GuyMakeup Artist

 

R.Guy is a makeup artist with over 16 years of experience in the beauty industry. He has prepared and executed makeup and hair design campaigns for several couture and high-end established fashion productions and movie sets, including the Miss Maroon & White Pageant, Simboya films, L'Oreal USA sponsored fashion events, and Christian Dior beauty events.

Read full bio of R.Guy

Esha SaxenaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Esha Saxena is a writer and journalist with over 3 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in media and mass communication from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and firmly believes that makeup is nothing less than art.

Read full bio of Esha Saxena

Madhumati ChowdhuryAssociate Editor

Madhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease.

Read full bio of Madhumati Chowdhury

Vaishali SinhaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Vaishali Sinha is a beauty and lifestyle writer with five years of experience in writing for various genres. She has a master’s degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University. She combines her passion for beauty and lifestyle topics with her artistic background as an Indian classical vocalist to bring a fresh and creative perspective to her writing.

Read full bio of Vaishali Sinha