Inside The Ancient History Of Eyeliner

Today, people use eyeliner to play up their eyes, to create a certain fashion look, or simply because they enjoy playing with makeup. And enthusiasts of this cosmetic staple have no shortage of types to choose from. In fact, the eyeliner business is currently a 3 billion dollar market, with countless brands providing everything from eye pencils to gel liners to liquid liners in various colors, styles, and formulas (via Dataintelo). Whether you're a cat eye person, a kohl liner person, or are partial to a dramatic winged look, you can find something to suit your style.

While eyeliner might be a staple of modern makeup bags, it is hardly a modern invention. In fact, the first appearance of eye liner is said to have been roughly 10,000 BC in Mesopotamia (via Good Housekeeping). Now that's what we call a classic. But what was eyeliner used for back then, what was it made out of, and how did it follow humanity through time to become what it is today?  

While things like mascara and powder evolved and changed and were used (primarily by women) in several different historical ages of the west (like mascara during the Victorian Era and powder during the Elizabethan Era), eye liner doesn't have the same type of story. While some eastern cultures continued to use various types of eyeliner that were not very unlike the original formulations, western cultures like that of the United States didn't pick up on the trend until the twentieth century (via Byrdie).   

When the tomb of the now-famous Egyptian King Tutankhamun was discovered in 1922, the news fascinated people from eastern and western cultures alike, including Americans. The ancient eyeliner looks that were displayed on everything from King Tut's sarcophagus to the paintings on the walls of the tomb took hold of people's imaginations. Suddenly, eye liner was being used by stage actors and movie actors alike, which encouraged women to emulate what they were seeing. 

The 1920's was a time when women were pushing back against the restrictive, buttoned-up Edwardian and Victorian eras. They were fighting for the right to vote as well as other forms of social and political liberation. Brands capitalized on this. Maybelline, Max Factor, and Revlon made over $1 billion on kohl shadow liners, and women also made their own with soot and petroleum jelly. 

Come the 70's, two different looks were popular. The drama of the 60's was still being embraced, but a more "natural" look was also taking hold due to the influence of "flower children" and hippie culture, which were trying to get in touch with a more communal, peaceful, natural way of life (via Vice). At the same time, Glam Rock entered the scene, and suddenly men like David Bowie and Prince were not only wearing sequins and sparkles, but also dramatic eyeliner and other makeup. 

By the 80's, the influence of eccentric pop stars had taken an unshakable hold on beauty culture; Madonna, Cindi Lauper, Boy George, and Whitney Houston each brought their own styles to the table, and fans couldn't emulate them fast enough. Bright blue eyeshadow and orange/pink lipstick were paired with always-lined eyes that popped. Eye pencil was in, and whether you were going for a bright, bold, colorful look or a more subdued, soft style, liner was likely part of the package (though shades and styles varied widely). 

In the 90's and 2000's, "Girl Power" was all the rage and makeup and fashion were now presented as a means of self expression and empowerment. Each Spice Girl had her own look, and girls and women were encouraged to find theirs. But whether you were wearing a frosty shadow like Britney Spears or a dark, goth look like the ladies of "The Craft," chances are that heavy, penciled eyeliner was involved.