Kohl was the cosmetic used by ancient Egyptians to line and darken the eyes. It was applied by both women and men and became one of the most recognizable elements of ancient Egyptian beauty.
Ancient eye cosmetics were not always made from one standardized recipe. Black kohl could contain galena, a lead sulfide mineral, along with other dark pigments such as charcoal or antimony compounds. Egyptians also used green eye paint made from malachite, a copper carbonate mineral, so not every ancient eye cosmetic was technically kohl.
Kohl had purposes beyond decoration. Egyptians associated eye makeup with beauty, religious symbolism, and protection from the sun. Medical texts and later research have also explored whether some ingredients had antimicrobial effects, although lead-containing products could pose serious health risks.
Modern eyeliner is related in appearance but is not identical to historical kohl. Today, “kohl” may describe a soft, dark cosmetic pencil or powder, while “eyeliner” is the broader modern category. Mascara is applied mainly to eyelashes, and eyeshadow covers the eyelids rather than specifically lining the eye.