Images of ancient Egyptians are most commonly depicted wearing black makeup around the eyes. They used kohl, also called galena, and mixed it with malachite powder. Galena is a mineral that was abundant near the Nile River. It was crushed and mixed with malachite, a green mineral, as well as animal fat to make it easier to apply to the skin (via Encyclopedia).
Kohl was used on the rim of the eyes as well as on the eyelids of both men and women. According to The Collector, the makeup shielded the eyes from the harsh rays of the Egyptian sun. The mixture of the minerals also kept flies away and was believed to protect against infections. As noted by Egyptologist Helen Strudwick, "Significantly, kohl had therapeutic value in protecting the eyes from infections caused by sunlight, dust, or flies," (via World History). The makeup mixture consists of lead, which has antibacterial properties. Although toxic, the Egyptians processed the ingredients before using them, which significantly decreased the levels of lead and made them safe for use as eyeshadow or eyeliner.
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