ANCIENT EGYPTIANS-BEAUTY INNOVATORS!

I want to dedicate this blog entry to all the Ancient Egyptians who opened gates to the world of Make-up. I believe it is very important to not only know the roots to where you are from but also the roots to our passion- whatever that may be! Mine just happens to be the creative world of Make-up. I'm not sure how this entry will appeal to you but nonetheless, it will be shared with those who wish to time travel with me for just a little while! Don't worry I'll bring you back in time to get pretty;)lol. So hold on tight! We are getting ready to get beauty warped into the times of the Ancient Egyptians!(warp sound effects)LOL!

Ancient Egyptians were always aware of their appearances. Sounds like a few people I know;) Beauty and elegance were top concern for them. The first place to discover the use of make-up was in the old kingdom of Egypt as early as  3500-4000 B.C.! They were the originators!!! Their eye makeup was extremely elaborate & gave birth to the "almond eye" look. Both men and women wore distinct eye make-up! Not only did the men & women of Egypt wear make up but also the statues of their gods and goddesses were adorned with all these different types of cosmetics. Make-up showed social status. The higher the status, the more make-up and clothes they used. This does not mean that it was a luxury reserved just for the rich because even the humblest graves proved to contain some. It was not the existence of make-up itself that seperated the rich from the poor, but the expense and luxury of the containers & applications. Small containers of galena(the stuff the green color was made from) have been found in tombs alternately stored in leather or canvas pouches, small jars, conch shells or within hollow reeds. Everyone had galena powder , however while the poor resorted to sticks to apply it, the wealthy had intricately carved and bejeweled containers of ivory or other precious materials! Most of the time the make-up contained poisonous lead and mercury!..not good but true! In every portrait the focus was always on the meticulously and beautifully outlined eyes that stood out and captured the world!

EGYPTIANS GAGA 4 MAKE-UP!

Favorite eye colors:  

Black(Mesdemet)

The black coloring of Ancient Egyptian eye make up, favored in the Period of the New Kingdom, was achieved by the use of Kohl.

• The eye make up 'Kohl' was obtained from galena
• Galena is a blue-grey natural mineral form of lead sulfide
• Galena deposits were found and mined in the eastern dessert at Gebel el-Zeit
• One of the earliest uses of Galena was Kohl
• Kohl is a mixture of Soot and Galena. The Egyptian eye make up 'Kohl' was stored in richly decorated containers called 'Kohl pots'.
  
  
  Although Kohl became a popular cosmetic once again during the 1920s, when an “Egyptian look” came into fashion in the United States and Europe, and it is still used as eyeliner in many Eastern countries.

 Green(Udju)

The green coloring of Ancient Egyptian eye make up was achieved by the use of a green pigment called malachite. 

• Malachite is a copper ore, a carbonate mineral, copper carbonate hydroxide, which has a vibrant green color
• Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints dating from antiquity
• Malachite was imported from the mines of the Sinai Desert 
  These mines came under the spiritual domain of the goddess Hathor, an ancient goddess of beauty, joy, love & women!
• The Malchite stone was crushed and then mixed as the green eye make up
  
  
  F.Y.I.-The powders they used to create the make-up were ground on  a palette then mixed with water to form a paste consistency.

EGYPTIAN LIPS!!

Ancient Egyptians used a type of rouge to stain their lips and cheeks. The red coloring used by Ancient Egyptian in make up was achieved by the use of Ochre. If you wanted an all day lip wear this was the product to use!

During all periods and dynasties of ancient Egyptians, both men and women, applied eye makeup on a daily. It did not only serve as a decorative purpose but it also served medicinal, magical & spiritual practices! Huh?? They thought make-up had magic and medicinal powers?? YES!!!

Below are some examples.

  

EGYPTIAN SPIRITUAL and Medicinal DIMENSIONS of MAKE-UP!

       Medical:

• Ancient Egyptian Physicians prescribed the use of kohl against eye diseases
• Galena, which made the kohl, had disinfectant qualities
• Kohl shielded the eye against the sun
• Kohl also acted as a deterrent to flies!
•  The lead-based makeup used by the Egyptians had antibacterial properties that helped prevent infections common at the time
  
  
  
  Religious & Magical:
   
• Eye makeup equipment (palettes, grinders, applicators) has been found among the earliest burials of the pre-dynastic period and seem to have been essential items for the afterlife.
•  The green eye make up used by the Ancient Egyptians Eye was believed to induce or  evoke the the Eye of Horus, the God of the Sky & Sun. 
  Kohl was used by mothers, which they applied to the eyes of infants after they were born. It was believed to strengthen the child’s eyes and protect him from being cursed by the “evil eye”. This tradition is still practiced to this day, but in the rural parts of Egypt. The elaborate eye makeup worn by Queen Nefertiti and other ancient Egyptians was believed to have healing powers, conjuring up the protection of the Gods Horus and Ra and warding off illnesses.  

Now I know it was a lot of fascinating information to take in, as we peeked into the world  of the make-up innovators. But I cant help to wonder what the world would be like without this creative freedom to express ourselves or even just to accentuate our beauty in this form. If you look in deeper, Ancient Egyptians were way ahead of their time! One of their destinies was to open up a path for beauty enhancement! They accomplished that and left room for endless possibilities in the world of beauty.  There doesn't seem to be an end to the use of make-up & it seems like we are always just at the beginning! Although it started with them I believe it has become evident that it will continue to live on forever! Thank You, You have changed our world!

Hope you guys found this blog interesting..maybe you felt like you were in a make-up history class..lol..but either way I learned a lot from just putting this blog together & feel so inspired!! I hope you did too. I tried making it brief as possible without putting too much in. Now my beautiful make-up junkies know the roots to the world of beauty!

                                    

                 Class dismissed! Now go & Embrace your INNER                Beauty Goddess! She exists in all of you!

A COUTURE WORD FROM COCO CHANEL

CURVE APPEAL!

TO ALL MY VOLUPTUOUS THICK , BUSTY DIVAS(LIKE MYSELF)..lol..I HAVE GOT THE GO TO WEBSITE WITH FABULOUS FINDS AND FASHION FORWARD APPAREL. I SHOP IN THIS STORE HERE IN NEW YORK AND TO MY SURPRISE THEY HAVE A WEBSITE THAT WE CAN CONVENIENTLY SHOP FROM IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE AREA. ITS AFFORDABLE WITH A TOUCH OF GLAM IN EVERY PRODUCT. AS A CUSTOMER,  I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE 1x TOPS FOR ME FITS ME WELL ACCOMMODATING TO MY CHEST, GIVING ME A RELAXED, FIT LOOK WITHOUT MAKING MY STOMACH LOOK BIG BECAUSE OF EXCESS FABRIC. IN OTHER WORDS IT ACCENTUATES YOUR CURVES IF YOU ARE JUST BUSTY WITH A SMALLER BELLY.  THE DRESSES RUN A LITTLE SMALL SO DEPENDING ON YOUR FIGURE YOU MAY WANT TO GO UP OR DOWN A SIZE. WHAT I ALSO LIKE ABOUT THEIR STORE IS THAT THEY HAVE UNIQUE ACCESSORIES! THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE PLUS FOR ME! WHAT GIRL DOESN'T LIKE EXCLUSIVE FINDS? FROM VISITING THE WEBSITE I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE STORE ITSELF HAS WAY MORE STUFF THAT THE WEBSITE DON'T SHOW. NONETHELESS, YOU CANT GO WRONG! IF YOU ARE A SLENDER GIRL WHO CANT FIT IN THESE CLOTHES YOU CAN DEFINITELY SHOP FOR ACCESSORIES! HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY THE WEBSITE JUST AS MUCH AS I ENJOY THE STORE! 

www.fashiontofigure.com

DIVAS WORST NIGHTMARE!! HELP!! MY EYESHADOW IS IN PIECES!! WHAT DO I DO???

DON'T GET YOUR EYELASHES ALL IN A BUNCH! I LEARNED OF A WAY TO SAVE YOUR EYE SHADOWS INSTEAD OF DISCARDING THEM ONLY TO FIND YOURSELF PURCHASING  A NEW ONE.(thats if they aren't discontiued.) ;/ HOPE YOU GUYS FOUND THIS HELPFUL! SPECIAL THANKS TO MY FRIEND JASMINE SUAREZ WHO INTRODUCED ME TO THIS TRICK..NOW ILL BE PASSING IT DOWN TO YOU! ENJOY & GO SAVE YOUR MOST LOVED EYE SHADOWS!

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

 70% OR HIGHER RUBBING ALCOHOL..THE HIGHER THE PERCENTAGE THE FASTER IT WILL DRY;), ZIP LOCK BAG, A SYRINGE OR DROPPER, A QUATER, BUTTER KNIFE, A PIECE OF CLOTH, U CAN USE KLEENEX BUT ITS BETTER TO USE CLOTH FROM AN OLD SHIRT OR A BEAT UP PILLOW CASE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST YOUR SAD, BROKEN EYE SHADOW. 

 STEP 1:

SLIDE IN YOUR BROKEN EYE SHADOW TO THE CORNER OF THE ZIP LOCK BAG. JUST LIKE THE PICTURE ABOVE. YOU WANT TO DO THIS TO MINIMIZE MESS.

STEP 2:

YOU WANT TO TAKE THE END OF YOUR BUTTER KNIFE AND SLIGHTLY POUND ON THE ALREADY BROKEN PRODUCT. AS YOU ARE DOING THIS GO AROUND THE EDGES AS WELL. WHEN YOU ARE DONE SLIDE IT OUT OF THE BAG CAREFULLY.

STEP 3:

YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR RUBBING ALCOHOL AND POUR SOME INTO THE CAP.

  

STEP 4:

 YOU WILL TAKE YOUR SYRINGE OR DROPPER AND SUCK SOME ALCOHOL OUT.  THEN YOU WILL PUSH THE ALCOHOL IN YOUR SYRINGE/DROPPER INTO THE THE EYE SHADOW. CAREFUL, IF YOU PUSH TOO HARD IT WILL SHOOT IN IT KINDA MAKING IT SPLATTER.(TALKING FROM EXPERIENCE)YOU WANT TO PUT ENOUGH THAT THE EYESHADOW GETS A PASTE CONSISTENCY. NOT WATERY!! YOU CAN USE A TOOTHPICK TO KINDA MIX IT IN.

STEP 5:

 NOW YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR CLOTH SO THAT YOU CAN WRAP AND PINCH THE QUARTER AS SO. ONCE YOU DO THAT YOU PLACE IT FIRMLY AGAINST THE ALCOHOL PREPARED PRODUCT. WAIT A FEW SECONDS WHILE PRESSING FIRMLY.

 

STEP 6: THE FINAL PRODUCT!

 

 

VUALA!!!!! NOW TELL ME YOU AIN'T EXCITED!! ISN'T THAT AMAZING??!! NOW JUST WAIT A MINUTE, BEFORE YOU EVEN BEGIN TO USE IT YOU MUST WAIT AN HOUR AT LEAST FOR IT TO AIR DRY. LIKE I SAID IN THE " THINGS YOU WILL NEED" SECTION IF YOU HAVE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE ALCOHOL IT WILL DO ITS MAGIC FASTER. I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THIS INFORMATIVE BLOG ON  A DIVAS WORST NIGHTMARE!

 

THIS IS GAGA4MAKEUP & I DIVA STAMP THIS MESSAGE FOR APPROVAL!

Refreshing my face

 

Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey!!!! Good fabulous, glamorous Morning my dahlins'!!! So this is what I use every morning, St. Ives Green Tea Naturally Clear Cleanser and St. Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub now the srub I use it 4 times a week..its really not harsh to my skin at all. It leaves a baby butt smooth feeling on my skin. Afterwards I follow it up with Cliniques Clarifying Lotion 2. For dry/combo skin. This one removes dullness to give your face a vibrant glow. Refines your pores, smoothes texture. Over time, it helps revitalize the skin natural renewal process. I then use Lancomes Bienfait Multi-Vital Teinte Spf 30(have to protect my face from that sun!) Now what is good about this product is that any skin type can use it. Not only does it  moisturize, gives you a daily source of vitamin enriched hydration for your skin, provides antioxidants aaaannnnd UVA/UVB protection against enviromental aggressors but it also gives your skin a natural even coverage. Very light weight for those who are not fond of classic foundation. Comes in 4 shades in Natural, Sand, Bisque, and Bronze! If you want natural coverage with a healthy tint this is your go-to product!!