Arabian SECRET
THE
By Khatija Mahomed
O
ne of the world’s most popular and timeless makeup trends is the captivating Arabic Eye Makeup — an old favourite that makes a bold statement for any occasion. Bold, dramatic, edgy, detailed and exotic, this trend is sure to leave you and all those who see you, mesmerized. Arabic Eye Makeup traces its roots to the traditional use of Kohl by women of the Arabian peninsula, renowned down the ages for their exotic beauty. Today, Arabian women are known the world over for their exquisite use of makeup, especially their unique eye makeup — Arabic Eye Makeup. So what is it that makes this trend so different from all the others? The answer is Kohl or eyeliner as it is more commonly known. The use of Kohl has an illustrious history, being originally used by royal women in Ancient Egypt, including queens such as Cleopatra, and it fast became a trend followed by common women too. In its original form, Kohl is organic and essentially very good for the eye. It has been used for centuries by men, women and children to treat and heal eye-related illnesses.
When it comes to Arabic Eye Makeup, the two most common styles are the ‘cut-crease look’, and the ‘winged liner’. Whether you choose the cut-crease, the winged liner, or even the double winged liner, each of these Arab style trends is achieved by the overloaded use of Kohl! This is the ultimate secret in creating the exotic Arabian Eye. Applying eyeliner prominently to the top eyelid lash-line is high in demand for so many looks. Incidentally, the eyeliner we commonly use today is typically not the original Kohl. In fact many makeup artists and cosmetic brands use the term Kohl to refer to the soft powder in dark matte shades that applies seamlessly and is easily smudged. Eyeliner, an international cosmetic item and an essential part of a woman’s beauty regimen, is today produced by 78 | www.muslimbride.co.za
leading cosmetic brands the world over as Kohl powder, liquid, cream, gel or pencil liner. These choices give you the option of deciding which mode of Kohl you are most comfortable using. Whatever mode you choose — powder, liquid, cream, gel, or in pencil form — if applied correctly it will definitely make you look like an Arabian Princess. Don’t forget, perfect eyeliner is imperative when it comes to adding shape and depth to the eye. It is the use of the eyeliner that provides the finishing touches to your eye makeup. From ancient times, it is fascinating to see how women from conservative backgrounds and societies, have found such an exquisite way to express themselves through their eyes with the adept use of Kohl.