Eye Makeup has been part of the vanity box for centuries. It was not only used to help accentuate and beautify the eyes, but also to help prevent many infections, keeping the eyes bright and sparkling.
Kohl has been used as an eye shadow since the Bronze Age. A dark coloured powder, being made from burnt almonds, crushed antimony, copper, ash, ochre, malachite and a copper ore known as chrysocolla. It was used extensively in India to darken the upper and lower eye lid. In North Africa and Morocco it was used to ward off the 'Evil Eye' and to protect the eyes from the harsh sun.
The Egyptians also used dyes and paints, primarily Kohl, to accentuate their eyes and eyebrows. It also served as eye shadow. A small stick dipped in Khol, was used to paint a line on the upper and lower eyelids that extended to the sides of the face to create an almond effect. The bust of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti has eye shadow showing its application as early as 10,000 BC. The Egyptian Eye is seen as an icon througout Ancient Egyptian Art.
In addition to reducing sun glare, it was believed that Kohl eyeliner could restore good eyesight and reduce eye infection, and according to images of the time, it was not limited to women.
For the Centuries after Malachite was favoured and used to decorate the eyes of many people.
In 7th and 8th Century BC Greece, eye shadow was known as 'fucus'. This was generally in shades of greens and blues, and made from stones like Lapis Lazuli and Malachite. This became quite famous around the Mediterranean and formed one of the important aspects of the Greek Economy.
The Greeks and Egyptians introduced cosmetics and eye shadow to the Romans, and as their empire grew, they came in contact with Iraqi people who used Kohl to ward off the evil eye.
Around the 11th Century Japanese girls used to adorn their eyes with rice flour, bird droppings and crushed flower petals which they applied with wax brushes.
