Ancient Egyptian cosmetics: ‘Magical’ makeup may have been medicine for eye disease

There’s more to the eye makeup that gave Queen Nefertiti and other ancient Egyptians royals those stupendous gazes and legendary beauty than meets the eye. Scientists in France are reporting that the alluring eye makeup also may have been used to help prevent or treat eye disease by doubling as an infection-fighter. Their findings are scheduled for the Jan. 15 issue of ACS’ Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal.

Full story: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/acs-aec011110.php

Tags: ancient Egypt, Ancient Egyptian makeup, eye disease, eye infection, Horus, lead, makeup