When it comes to beauty, much can be learned from Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen who many regard as one the most beautiful women in history. Luckily, her beauty secrets are documented, making it possible for women everywhere to test them and create that same seductive beauty that made her a legend.
Here are 13 of Cleopatra’s best beauty secrets:
Milk and honey bath
Cleopatra’s most famous beauty secret was her ritual of bathing in milk and honey. Both of these ingredients soften the skin, exfoliate naturally, and leave you smelling fresh and sweet. Make your own by adding two cups of milk and ½ cup of honey to your bath water.
Moisturizing with aloe vera
Aloe vera is known to be a soothing serum for the skin. Cleopatra combined it with honey to make the ultimate face mask.
Coloring with natural henna
Cleopatra painted her fingernails reddish brown using natural henna. She also used henna, mixed with juniper berries and other plants, to dye her hair the exact color she desired.
Exfoliating with sea salts
Cleopatra’s radiant skin was thought to have been achieved through a combination of sea salt and olive oil, which moisturize and exfoliate.
Rose water facial toner
The Egyptian Queen loved to use rose water, which makes skin soft and smooth, as a natural facial toner. You can achieve the same results by wiping your face with rose water in the morning and evening, or, by putting it in a spray bottle and spritzing it on your face throughout the day as needed.
Apple cider vinegar
Cleopatra was known to use apple cider vinegar as a face rinse/toner, a beauty secret that is still highly popular today.
Almond oil for youthful skin
Cleopatra used almond oils as part of her skin \care regimen. She was obviously onto something, as almond oils contain mandelic acid, which is found in many modern chemical peels.
Fragrant essential oils
Rose, frankincense, cypress, neroli and myrrh essential oils—all aphrodisiacs—were some of Cleopatra’s most favored fragrant perfumes.
Honey and oil hair repair
Mixing honey and castor oil and letting it soak into her hair was how Cleopatra kept her hair soft, strong and shiny.
Heavy cream face mask
Much like her milk and honey bath, Cleopatra used a combination of cream and honey to nourish and rehydrate her skin. Try this yourself by mixing 2 tablespoons of cream with 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply it to your face and, after letting it sit for about 10 minutes, rinse it off with warm water.
Oatmeal cleansing
Cleopatra loved to use oatmeal to clean and exfoliate her skin. While many modern soaps are harsh on the skin, oatmeal is known for its moisturizing and nourishing qualities. Add oatmeal to your bath water, or combine it with hot water and massage it over your skin.
White clay mask
Cleopatra’s natural clay mask provided a toning and lifting effect on her skin. You can make your own, but don’t leave the clay on longer than 5-10 minutes, as it can be very drying for the skin.
Celery and hemp eye serum
Although cucumber is the go-to natural eye solution today, Cleopatra used a mix of celery and hemp to great effect to keep her eyes looking bright and healthy.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://mybeautiness.com/ancient-skin-care-secrets-beauty-of-cleopatra/#.VHHIGr4xhlI
http://www.topinspired.com/top-10-cleopatra-beauty-secrets
http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/984667/beauty-secrets-of-women-in-history
http://www.lifecellantiagingtips.com/beauty-nile-cleopatras-timeless-beauty-tips
http://www.beautyandtips.com/beauty-2/beauty-secrets-of-cleopatra
