Centuries ago, Cleopatra VII Philopator presided over the prestigious throne of Egypt. She ascended the hallowed throne at the young age of 18, ruling alongside her brother, Ptolemy XIII.
This dual rule didn’t last for long. A power tussle soon ensued, necessitating one to overthrow the other. In the end, Cleopatra emerged as the victor. She ruled ancient Egypt through one of the most crucial phases of its fascinating history.
But aside from her courage, political genius, and intelligence, she was known for her beauty, charisma, and super-charming personality. She had a unique facial look that has influenced the beauty world to date. It’s called the Cleopatra makeup.
Although Egyptian cosmetology was pretty robust before she was born, Cleopatra VII Philopator knew exactly how she wanted to look. She identified the cosmetic items she needed and created one of the most popular signature facial looks ever.
Here, we would unpack Cleopatra’s personality, her iconic makeup, and the beauty items she used. We would also examine her influence on Hollywood and how Cleopatra makeup is gaining popularity in the modern cosmetic and beauty world.
What Kind of Makeup Did Cleopatra Use?
The Cleopatra makeup focuses on the eyes, making colorful and bold paintings that are a wonder to behold. It uses kohl, a dark ancient cosmetic powder, to rub around the eyes. Kohl is made from galena or charcoal, along with other materials.
The Kohl is used to draw thick lines around the eye, which extend outwards, converging at a sharp point. This drawing creates a cat-eye effect and an almond shape. Then the eyelids to the eyebrows are graced with green malachite or turquoise powder, representing supernatural power and security.
The Cleopatra makeup also involved dark eyebrows and vivid red lips. While the eyebrows were darkened with kohl or some other powdered substance, the lips were beautified with camine or red ochre. In the end, you had bright-red and super-attractive lips.
Cleopatra also maintained her smooth and radiant skin. She applied a foundation of chalk or white lead mixed with oils, which gave her skin a shiny appearance. She completed the look with a mixture of fat and red ochre, which she applied as blush to her cheeks.
For a more royal touch, gold dusts were sprinkled on the skin to produce millions of glows as she moved. With this, she easily shone in the crowd during official functions.
The Cleopatra makeup is one of the most enduring fashion statements ever. It’s up there with the Great Pyramids, the jaw-dropping embalming techniques, and the academic brilliance of the early ages as some of the most significant legacies of the ancient empire.
Thousands of years down the line, the centuries-old beauty secret lives on. There have been many Cleopatras since then—women who have been awed by the stunning looks of one of ancient Egypt’s favourite personalities.
The Cleopatra makeup is bold, charming, and dramatic, all at the same time. What’s not to love? Little wonder it has been a trend over and over again. At some point, it made a Hollywood appearance.
The Hollywood Connection
In 1962, Cleopatra came alive once again. A Hollywood movie project went all the way in recreating her glorious personality for the movie “Cleopatra.” Who else would be more fitting to play the iconic Egyptian royal than the delectable Elizabeth Taylor?
Aside from her impressive portrayal of the Egyptian legend, Taylor impressed with the Cleopatra makeup. Just like the original Cleopatra would have done, Taylor decorated her charming blue eyes.
Interestingly, Taylor applied the makeup herself. The story had it that the makeup artist hired for the $44 million movie, Alberto De Rossi, called in sick.
Taylor had to step up to the challenge by recreating the iconic makeup. Previously, she had watched De Rossi at work and was confident that she could replicate his expertise. She didn’t disappoint.
She lined her eyes with the popular thick cat-eye paste. Then she added blue shadow from her eyebrows to the lashes to give that extra elegance. She got the perfect blue shade. The one that perfectly complemented her blue irises and made the whites even more conspicuous.
At the time, Taylor was the highest-earning female actor in the industry. Her influence brought immense attention to the makeup style, making it a sensation among American women.
Next, the cosmetics companies jumped on the wave. American cosmetics company Revlon soon began advertising the Cleopatra “Sphinx Eyes” look. Revlon made the “Cleopatra Lipstick Doll,” inspired by the movie.
In their promotional materials, they described the product as “An enchanting new kind of sorcery – 2000 years old!” It was a successful product. Women were eager to achieve the Cleopatra or Elizabeth Taylor look from what has been described as the “Most influential movie of the 1960s.”
The Cleopatra Makeup’s Latest Return
In recent times, the Cleopatra makeup has resurfaced in the limelight once again. Women are embracing the trend and recreating the bold yet alluring look from thousands of years ago.
Various social media platforms have hosted discussions about different varieties of the look. Sites such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have led the charge with hundreds of video tutorials on how to achieve the Cleopatra beauty.
From all indications, Cleopatra has left a mark that doesn’t seem likely to be erased anytime soon. Her beauty revolution is expected to continue emerging from time to time for many years to come. Have you tried on the Cleopatra makeup yet?
