What was the original purpose of eyeliner?

Author: Prof. Maryjane Frami  |  Last update: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Eyeliner's first-known use was in ancient Egypt, and its purposes have evolved over thousands of years: It has medicinal virtues, protecting the gaze from sunlight in harsh desert environs; spiritual significance, as a method for warding off the evil eye; and cosmetic value, beautifying men and women alike.

What was eyeliner originally made for?

The earliest iteration of eyeliner — which has been integral to Arab culture for millennia — can be traced back to ancient Egypt where it served not only beautification purposes but was also thought to offer protection against the harsh desert sun and even the evil eye (which can signify a curse or an ill-intentioned ...

Why did people start wearing eyeliner?

Eyeliner has a long past. Its origins, called kohl, date back to 3100 BC and was worn by the Romans, the Greeks, and the Canaanites. Reasons for wearing it range from cosmetic to necessity, like to reduce the glare of the sun or, possibly, prevent eye infections. Most notably, it was worn by Nefertiti, Queen of Egypt.

What was the purpose of this eyeliner widely used by the ancient Egyptians?

Kohl was not just used to ward off physical ailments, but also ailments of the spiritual kind. For it was believed that eyes without make-up were vulnerable to the evil eye! Kohl also occupied an important social role within Egyptian society.

What is the reason for eyeliner?

Eyeliner always adds definition to the eyes, which is powerful as they are the most important feature on your face when it comes to making a first impression. Cleverly applied eyeliner will intensify the shape and colour of your eyes, making them really stand out.

Who invented "EYELINER"..?

What is the goal of eyeliner?

Eye liner is commonly used in a daily make-up routine to define the eye or create the look of a wider or smaller eye. It can be used as a tool to create various looks or to highlight different features of the eyes.

What is the most attractive eye shape on a female?

In many cultures, the almond eye is considered the most beautiful and favorable. Many people who do not have an almond shaped eye choose to undergo common and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures to improve the aesthetics of the eye.

Why did Persians wear eyeliner?

The dark makeup was used to protect the eyes from harsh weather, to ward off evil spirits, to strengthen the eyelashes, and for medicinal purposes. Sormeh also denoted a woman's marital status, and so, in some ways, it served as a marker of womanhood.

What does the cat eye makeup mean?

As well as for health reasons, women wore a cat eye as a way of warding off evil spirits. “Women used kohl liner for centuries as protection against the evil eye,” says Makeup Museum co-founder and celebrity makeup artist Rachel Goodwin.

Are kohl and eyeliner the same?

Another point of confusion often arises when comparing kohl and kajal to regular eyeliners. Kajal is usually more smudge-resistant and offers a softer, smokey look, perfect for enhancing the eyes' natural beauty. Eyeliner, on the other hand, is often waterproof and delivers sharper, more defined lines.

Why do Muslims wear eyeliner?

In Islam, for example, the Prophet Muhammad was said to wear a form of eyeliner around his eyes for medicinal purposes and to thicken the eyelashes. Therefore, Muslims started wearing it to emulate the prophet. The multifaceted nature of the use of eyeliner differentiates it from other items of makeup, too.

What was makeup originally made for?

6000 BCE. Makeup dates all the way back to 6000 BCE, starting with the Egyptians. They created it as they believed makeup was next to godliness and that it appealed to the Gods; both men and women of all social classes wore makeup.

Does eyeliner age your eyes?

Eyeliner can age us… It can look harsh and make your eyes appear smaller,too. That's if we keep applying it like we did in the 80's…

What is the symbolism of eyeliner?

Eyeliner's first-known use was in ancient Egypt, and its purposes have evolved over thousands of years: It has medicinal virtues, protecting the gaze from sunlight in harsh desert environs; spiritual significance, as a method for warding off the evil eye; and cosmetic value, beautifying men and women alike.

What is the spiritual significance of kohl?

Kohl was thought to have innumerable benefits like improving vision and strength, as well as protection from the evil eye. Therefore, it was applied to new-born babies and the custom is still practised widely today.

What did the Vikings use for eyeliner?

Vikings employed natural ingredients such as charcoal and burnt wood to create eye makeup, often referred to as Viking eyeliner. They used these materials to darken the area around their eyes, which was believed to protect them from evil spirits and help reduce sun glare.

What is the history of eyeliner?

Eyeliner is believed to have been invented in ancient Egypt, where Hankir starts her story. The word “kohl,” as she explains, is derived from the Arabic “kuhl,” denoting a dark powder meant to be applied to the eyelids.

What makeup trend was dominant in the 1980s?

Neon Hues and Bold Eyes:

One of the defining characteristics of '80s makeup was its fearless use of color. Neon hues dominated eyeshadow palettes, with shades of electric blue, hot pink, and vibrant purple adorning eyelids with unapologetic boldness.

What is the point of winged eyeliner?

A winged eyeliner look can help define & lift the eyes and elongate the eye shape.

Why do Persians have watery eyes?

Some breeds are prone to runny eyes (epiphora), most commonly, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs. Because of the shortening of the muzzle and other features in these breeds, tears can't drain normally into the nose, resulting in runny eyes and often staining on the face.

Why do Chinese people wear red eyeliner?

These flashes of red are thought to keep evil spirits away: red eyeliner wards these spirits away from the eyes, and wearing red lipstick prevents them from entering through the mouth.

Was eyeliner originally for men?

Men have worn eyeliner since the dawn of civilization — look no further than King Tut. Ancient Egyptians lined their eyes with kohl thousands of years ago, though today the trend is more closely associated with pop culture icons like Charlie Chaplin, Prince and Marilyn Manson.

What country has the prettiest eyes?

1. India. India ranks first on our list of the 20 countries with the most beautiful eyes in the world, with the highest number of upvotes on Reddit. The South Asian country is one of the largest countries in the world, with a population of 1.417 billion as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank.

What is the most attractive hair color?

  • The contest for the most attractive hair colour is obviously won by the blonde color with 35% of the overall vote, followed by the brunette. ...
  • According to the survey, the majority of men (42%) found blonde hair to be the most attractive.

What celebrity has the prettiest eyes?

The top 10 female celebrities with the most-loved eyes
  • Rihanna.
  • Taylor Swift.
  • Miley Cyrus.
  • Bella Hadid.
  • Ariana Grande.
  • Kylie Jenner.
  • Ana de Armas.
  • Beyonce.

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