Ancient Egypt, known for its remarkable civilization and fascinating traditions, is renowned for its meticulous personal grooming practices. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly glamorous aspect lies a darker and more unsettling side. From the grotesque to the unpleasant, the personal grooming rituals of ancient Egyptians often involved disturbing and even dangerous methods. Let us delve into a world of obscure knowledge and explore some of the unsettling facts about personal grooming in this ancient society.
Ornate and extravagant hairstyles have always been associated with ancient Egypt. To achieve these intricate styles, both men and women would use a mixture of oils, beeswax, and resin to create a sculptural effect. But the process was far from pleasant. Wigs, often made from human hair, were commonly worn. However, when not using wigs, it was not uncommon for ancient Egyptians to secure their hair in place by applying a sticky concoction of animal fat and fruit rind directly to their heads. The unpleasant stench and constant discomfort endured by those who embellished their hairstyles are perhaps not surprising, given the substances used.
For millennia, both men and women in ancient Egypt sought to maintain a smooth and hairless body. To achieve this, they often utilized a method called body sugaring, which involved creating a sticky paste made from a mixture of honey, oil, and lemon juice. This concoction was then applied to the skin and abruptly pulled off, removing unwanted body hair. While this may seem relatively harmless, bear in mind that ancient Egyptians did not have the luxury of modern hair removal techniques. The process was painful and could lead to skin irritation, infections, and even tears in the skin. A “beauty is pain” mindset seemed to have been prevalent in ancient Egypt.
One cannot explore the disturbing grooming practices of ancient Egypt without mentioning their obsession with eye makeup. Both men and women utilized a dark-colored mineral called kohl to outline and enhance their eyes. However, the process of producing kohl was far from appealing. Animal fats, usually from crocodiles or other animals, were mixed with lead compounds and then baked in an oven. The resulting soot was collected and ground into a fine powder, which was then applied close to the eyes. It is unsettling to think of the potential dangers that arose from regularly applying a substance containing harmful lead compounds so close to the delicate tissues of the eyes.
To complete their striking appearances, ancient Egyptians used a diverse range of perfumes and fragrances. Yet, the process of obtaining these pleasant scents was anything but aesthetically pleasing. Many of the ingredients used in perfumes were obtained through rather grotesque means. For instance, musk, one of the most prized ingredients, was extracted from the perineal glands of a male musk deer. This extraction involved killing the deer and dissecting its glands. Similarly, to acquire ambergris, a substance used in luxury perfumes, ancient Egyptians relied on the intestinal secretions of sperm whales. The process involved dissecting stranded whales or, even more gruesomely, searching through their fecal matter.
The personal grooming practices of ancient Egypt paint a vivid picture of a society obsessed with beauty and aesthetics. However, behind the glamorous facade lie unsettling facts that force us to reconsider our perception of this iconic civilization. From the use of animal fat and fruit rinds for hairstyling to the dangers of body sugaring and the unsettling ingredients used in perfumes, personal grooming in ancient Egypt was often grotesque and unpleasant. Exploring such aspects of history allows us to appreciate the lengths people were willing to go for the sake of personal beauty, even when the path to it was paved with disturbing and sometimes hazardous practices.
