An ancient Egyptian beauty salon

Necklace decorated with fish, gold, L. 49 cm

If you had been a rich woman in ancient Egypt, you would have taken great care of your appearance, applying ointments to your body and hair and wearing makeup and jewellery. And if you had been a rich ancient Egyptian man, it would have been no different! Makeup was used not only to enhance beauty, it also offered protection from the sun, and kohl applied on the eyelids was believed to ward off disease. There is much evidence that men as well as women took care of their appearance in ancient Egypt. Wigs, sometimes monumental, for instance, played a very important role in dress. Combs, razors, hair pins, pots for mixing mineral pigments used in makeup have been found in tombs, along with mirrors for checking out the final result! Very fine jewellery has also been found: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc. And amulets, little good-luck charms that were worn to heal disease or protect against evil spells.