Enchanting Egyptian Eye Makeup Tutorial

Steal the show and attract lots of admiring glances with this striking and dramatic look.

Reviewed by R.Guy, Makeup Artist R.Guy R.GuyMakeup Artist twitter_iconinsta_icon
Written by , MA (Mass Communication & Media Studies) Esha Saxena MA (Mass Communication & Media Studies) Experience: 3 years
Edited by , MA (English Literature) Madhumati Chowdhury MA (English Literature) Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by , MA (Comparative Literature) Vaishali Sinha MA (Comparative Literature) Experience: 5 years
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Beauty was an important aspect of ancient Egyptian culture. So, if you are curious to learn about Egyptian eye makeup looks, you have come to the right place! Makeup can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt. Cleopatra is remembered for not only her intelligence but also her beauty. Nefertiti is also someone who is known for her power and feminine beauty. The Egyptians were very particular about their eye makeup, which included a lot of heavy black kohl and green eye paint.

This bygone era’s approach has had a powerful effect on present makeup trends. So, with this Egyptian eye makeup guide, we are transporting you back in history! Read on if you want to explore some tried-and-true Egyptian eye makeup techniques. Just keep scrolling!

protip_icon Keep In Mind
  • Application: Application Use pieces of scorching tape or the back of a spoon to draw out even creases.
  • Products: Application Use an eye primer, waterproof makeup, and a setting spray to make the look last longer.
  • Accessories: Application Pair your Egyptian look with accessories like chokers, headbands, rings, earrings, and amulets.
  • Glitter: Application Use a bit of loose glitter in the middle of the eyelid to add that shimmer effect.

Egyptian Eye Makeup Tutorial

This look is for the bold and the dramatic. It’s anything but basic. If you can handle standing out from the crowd or plan to dress as Cleopatra for Halloween, give this a shot. But before you go in with any makeup on your face, make sure you’ve thoroughly cleansed and moisturized. It is also essential to use an eye primer if you want your makeup to look fresh and flashy for hours.

What You Need
  • Golden base eyeshadow
  • Flat shading brush
  • Black kohl pencil
  • Neutral eyeshadow palette
  • Fluffy brush
  • Highlighter
  • Blue eyeshadow
  • Mascara
  • False eyelashes

Step By Step Tutorial With Pictures

Step 1: Apply Your Base Eyeshadow

Step 1 of Egyptian eye makeup is to apply your base eyeshadow
Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Once you’ve primed your lids and the area underneath your eyes, it’s time for your base eyeshadow. Use a metallic muted gold shade like Half Baked by Urban Decay and apply it all over your lid, going a little bit up into the crease. This is best done with the help of a flat shading brush.

Step 2: Shape Out Your Cut-Crease

Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Using a black kohl pencil, shape out the cut-crease that you want. To do this, draw a light line slightly above your natural crease line. Make sure you flick it out and up towards the end. For the inner corner, drag the line towards the side of your nose.

Step 3: Add Some Brown Shadow

Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Go over the kohl line with a pencil brush and a soft brown matte eyeshadow. The only thing to do here is to blend, blend, and blend some more.

Step 4: Create A Gradient

Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Use a black eyeshadow and a pencil brush to blend the first two colors (the kohl and the brown shadow). This step helps you create a gradient and also gets rid of any harsh lines. For a final touch, use a clean fluffy brush to go over this line and make sure it is properly blended.

Step 5: Highlight Your Brow Bone

Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Use a highlighter like Albatross from NARS and highlight your brow bone. Layer it on until you can see a prominent gold sheen.

Step 6: Jazz It Up With Blue Eyeshadow

Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Using a blue eyeshadow like Jewel Blue by MAC, apply the product on the outer ‘V’ of your eye. Blend it out well.

Step 7: Doing The Wing

Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Use your favorite liquid eyeliner to draw a thin wing that’s slightly elongated towards the outer corner. Using a card from the outer corner of the eye to the tail end of the brow is a great way to extend the liner and keep it clean and sharp. Make sure you extend the liner towards your inner tear duct to achieve a more Cleopatra-like effect. With a pencil liner, tight-line your upper lash line.

protip_icon Fun Fact
Makeup in ancient Egypt had a dual function: aesthetics and protection against the elements. The kohl they used as part of eye makeup was meant to protect their eyes from the harsh sun rays.

Step 8: Add Some Mascara And Falsies

Step 8 of Egyptian eye makeup is to add some mascara and falsies
Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Glamorize your Egyptian eyes look by enhancing your lashes. Add some mascara and a pair of luscious falsies.

Here’s the final look!

Image: YouTube @Kaushal

Shonagh Scott, a YouTube vlogger, tried out the Egyptian eye makeup inspired by the classic colors attributed to the Pharaohs. She explained how she got the outline of the eye makeup, “I’m following the shape of my natural eye socket but making sure the line is a few millimeters above my natural crease. I’ve also created a slight curve on that outer corner, and now I’m drawing a line up from my lower lash line to meet the end of that curve. A great thing about using an eye shadow to map out the shape is if you make any mistakes is easy to wipe away (i).”

The focal point of the ancient Egyptians’ appearance was their eyes (no, they weren’t being extra). Now that you have a fair idea of how to achieve this vivid and unique eye makeup look, here are a few tips that will come in handy to keep your Egyptian makeup looks on fleek!


protip_icon Fun Fact
Eye makeup in ancient Egypt was also traditionally believed to have powers to ward off the evil eye.

Tips And Tricks: Nailing The Egyptian Eye Makeup Look

  • To secure your eye makeup, wear a primer. No matter what your skin type is, a primer is a must.
  • If you have oily skin or you think you are going to get sweaty, wear waterproof eyeliner and mascara. You don’t want your makeup running down your face and turning into a giant mess.
  • Mascara is essential, but don’t let your lashes steal the show here. For a more authentic Egyptian eye makeup look, concentrate on your eyeliner.
  • Brows played a significant role even back in the day. Don’t forget to fill in sparse brows or darken your eyebrows with some brow pomade. This tiny step will further enhance the beauty of the look.

Infographic: The Ultimate Guide To Egyptian Eye Makeup

All of us have desired the enchanting Egyptian eye makeup ever since we saw Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra. It looks dramatic, capturing, and stunning. If you want to sport this glamorous look to take your makeup game up a notch, we can help. Check out the infographic below for a step-by-step tutorial to do Egyptian eye makeup.

the ultimate guide to egyptian eye makeup (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Egyptian eye makeup is mesmerizing, and we cannot deny it. Halloween or not, you can still try out this makeup look if you want to sport some dramatic vibes. Just make sure you practice well till you attain perfection. So, learn from the steps mentioned above and get ready to grab compliments that will come your way. Add the right accessories once done, and you shall look like a showstopper without a doubt. But do not forget to set the makeup to look flawless throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Egyptians use black eyeliner?

It is believed that ancient Egyptians wore black eyeliner to protect their eyes from several diseases.

Why did Egyptians use eyeshadow?

Ancient Egyptians wore colorful eyeshadow to protect their eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.

How did Egyptians put on eyeliner?

Ancient Egyptians used a small piece of wood or stick to apply kohl or galena.

Key Takeaways

    • Egyptian eye makeup gives your eyes a bold and dramatic look and helps you stand out from the crowd.
    • A primer is used to prep the lids before applying any dark-colored eye shadow to define the outer corners of the eyes and give them a more flattering look.
    • A liquid eyeliner can be used to create a wing or cat-eye shape, which gives your eyes a smoky effect.
    • A mascara adds volume and length to your eyelashes and makes them look fuller.


Learn how to recreate the iconic look of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra in the easy makeup tutorial video. Get ready to have the spotlight on you at all times!

Personal Experience: Source

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