It's hard to imagine life without beauty products, especially if you're Arab. Wanna know why? Because if you're from the region, you''ll know that these products, from hair-related serums to cosmetics, have actually been around forever.
Here are six beauty products with origins that can be traced back to the Arab world.
1. Hair dye
Although the exact origins of henna aren't clear, Ancient Egyptians were believed to use henna to camouflage gray hair. The use of henna went beyond just hair coloring; Cleopatra used henna to turn her body into a work of art.
The nails of mummies were believed to have been painted with henna before they were buried.
2. Argan Oil for softer hair
Wherever you go nowadays, you hear the importance of Argan oil for hair maintenance.
The Argan tree is believed to have originated in the Moroccan village Argana which lies northeast of Agadir. Argan oil was used by Moroccans as a skin moisturizer and hair conditioner since ancient times.
This tree contains kernels, which are the source of the beauty serum Argan Oil.
3. Kohl
Kohl dates back to the Protodynastic Period of Egypt (3100 BCE), where Egyptian queens and noble women applied kohl in and around their eyes.
It was originally used as protection against eye ailments before it evolved into a beauty product. It was also believed that darkening around the eyes reduced the sun's glare.
The cosmetic palettes used for the preparation of kohl assumed a prominent role in the late Predynastic Egyptian culture.
The widespread use of kohl in ancient Egypt was reflected in the number of small kohl pots that were found in archeological excavations.
4. Body sugaring for hair removal
Body sugaring (sukkar) is considered to be something the Ancient Egyptians take pride in.
Mixing in sugar, lemon and water ... a wax-based product was developed. It is believed that hygiene was the main reason ancient Egyptians developed sugaring as a method of hair removal.
Inspired by Alexander the Great, the women of Alexandria considered a "hairless body to be the standard of beauty, youth and innocence."
5. Mascara
Dating all the way back to 3400 BC, Ancient Egyptians used bone and ivory as mascara applicators. They later blended kohl with crocodile dung (thankfully, the ancient Egyptians also invented perfume and soap) water and honey to create the first mascara.
Harsh desert weather conditions forced Egyptians to find natural solutions to protecting their faces and bodies.
6. Protective lip balm
Ancient Egyptians were pioneers in the usage of castor oil, for various beauty hacks including the creation of protective lip balm.
They also initiated the use of castor oil in hair-related products, since it strengthens hair follicles and allows for healthy hair growth.