For centuries, eyeliner has served as a symbol of rebellion, allure, and even a key to the afterlife. Its captivating narrative unveils makeup’s most potent weaponry. During my formative years in the United Kingdom, I formed an unbreakable bond with May, an Egyptian girl residing in our apartment complex. Adorned in bell-bottoms and scrunchies, she possessed an air of nonconformity that intrigued me. Unlike my conservative upbringing, her parents were more lenient, granting her the freedom to experiment with cosmetics. It was on one fateful afternoon, amid the echoes of Ace of Base resonating from her stereo, that she decided to transform me.
With meticulous precision, May proceeded to enhance my appearance. She meticulously traced the contours of my eyelids with eyeliner, while adding a touch of kohl to complete the mesmerizing effect. As she deftly wielded her chosen weapon, I marveled at how such a simple stroke could dramatically alter my entire demeanor.
Little did I know then, as a wide-eyed 12-year-old, that the act of applying eyeliner carries a legacy spanning centuries. From ancient Egypt to modern-day runways, this cosmetic ritual has transcended time and culture, leaving an indelible mark on beauty traditions worldwide.
To delve into eyeliner’s rich and storied past, we must travel back thousands of years to the banks of the Nile River. In ancient Egypt, both women and men adorned their eyes with kohl—a mixture of galena, burnt almonds, and other natural ingredients—believed to possess protective and spiritual properties. Not only did it accentuate the eyes’ natural beauty, but it was also thought to ward off the evil eye and safeguard against infections—an early manifestation of eyeliner’s multifaceted powers.
As civilizations rose and fell, eyeliner’s allure persisted. Ancient Mesopotamians darkened their eyes with kohl, associating it with their deities and religious rituals. Its transformative abilities were not limited to the living; in fact, eyeliner was used to prepare the deceased for their journey into the afterlife, highlighting their eyes and ensuring a smooth transition to the realm beyond.
Through the ages, eyeliner evolved and adapted, mirroring the changing face of society. It endured the test of time amidst shifting fashion trends, political movements, and cultural revolutions. From the dramatic Cleopatra-inspired cat-eye of the 1960s to the punk-infused smudged liner of the 1980s, this versatile tool has continuously reinvented itself, reflecting the spirit of each era.
Beyond its cosmetic allure, eyeliner continues to symbolize empowerment and defiance. In the 20th century, women embraced eyeliner as a form of rebellion against societal norms. It became a means of self-expression, allowing individuals to challenge traditional beauty standards and assert their independence.
In the present day, eyeliner remains an essential part of the beauty arsenal, both on and off the runway. Makeup artists and enthusiasts alike embrace its ability to create endless possibilities, whether it be through precise lines that exude elegance or bold strokes that channel avant-garde artistry.
As I reminisce about that transformative day with May, I realize that my experience was merely a microcosm of a grand narrative—a tale woven with the threads of history, culture, and personal identity. Eyeliner, that slender instrument of transformation, holds within it the stories of countless individuals who have dared to redefine beauty on their own terms. Its legacy endures, reminding us that sometimes, even the subtlest of strokes can leave an indelible mark on our world.
