Beauty secrets from the Arab world

The Beauty Secrets of Arab Women: Ancient Rituals for Timeless Elegance

Gracious and enigmatic, women with dark hair, radiant skin, and captivating eyes have long passed down their beauty secrets through generations. So, how do these modest women maintain such captivating beauty? What are their time-honored beauty tricks? We’ve uncovered some of the most cherished beauty secrets of Arab women.

Haircare

The secret behind the thick, glossy hair of Arab women lies in the careful use of natural ingredients. Before washing their hair, they apply kefir or sour milk directly to their scalp. These fermented products quickly rejuvenate the hair, making it smooth and shiny. Want to try it yourself? To get the full benefits, it’s best to make your own kefir, as store-bought varieties often lack the properties necessary for hair care.

Hair Dyes

Arab women have long shunned modern hair dyes in favor of the natural alternative: henna. This plant-based dye, derived from the leaves of Lawsonia inermis, has been used for centuries across Arab countries. To achieve a deep, rich black color, henna is often mixed with basma (another natural hair dye). For those looking to strengthen their hair, colorless henna serves as a powerful conditioning mask.

The Mystique of Dark Eyes

Eyes hold great importance in Arab beauty, especially since other parts of the body are often covered by the abaya. The iconic bold eye line, a hallmark of Middle Eastern beauty, is achieved by applying antimony to the upper lash line. Beyond its striking aesthetic, antimony also strengthens the eyebrows and lashes, intensifying their color. Today, many cosmetics brands have adopted this traditional ingredient in their eyeliners.

Brows and Lashes

In the Middle East, the beauty ideal includes thick, well-defined eyebrows and long, lush lashes. From a young age, many Arab girls use usma, a natural oil believed to promote hair growth. When applied to the eyebrows and lashes, it’s said to stimulate the hair follicles and encourage fuller growth. After just a month of use, you may notice a visible difference in both volume and length.

Face Care

For cleansing, many Middle Eastern women turn to natural rose blossom water. This soothing water, often used in place of micellar water, calms inflammation and reduces skin redness. While Western women may crave a sun-kissed glow, Middle Eastern women traditionally prefer fairer skin. To lighten the complexion, many use lemon juice, a natural bleaching agent. For a fresh, radiant look, simply rub your face with fresh lemon juice. Additionally, the soft side of lemon peel makes an excellent exfoliating scrub.

Arab women also love to mix their own facial masks, swearing by the power of natural ingredients like turmeric. Here’s how to make your own rejuvenating mask:

DIY Turmeric Face Mask:

• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 pinch of turmeric
• 2 tbsp rosewater
• 2 tbsp milk

Mix the ingredients until smooth, apply to your face, and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water for glowing, refreshed skin.

Body Care

No Middle Eastern beauty ritual is complete without a visit to the hamam (Turkish bath). Known for its high wellness benefits, the hamam opens the skin’s pores and deep cleanses the body, leaving the skin silky smooth. Arab women often bring their favorite natural scrubs to the hamam, with coffee grounds being a popular choice. The coffee exfoliates and revitalizes the skin, leaving it feeling soft and even after just one treatment.

Perfume

It’s fascinating that even the wealthiest Arab women, who could easily afford the finest Western perfumes, prefer the traditional, natural scents of oriental oils. Their favorite ingredients include musk, sandalwood, vanilla, jasmine, and rose. Unlike alcohol-based perfumes, these oils are pure, providing a long-lasting fragrance that lingers throughout the day.

By embracing these natural, time-honored beauty rituals, Arab women continue to exude a captivating radiance that’s both timeless and mysterious. It’s a testament to the power of nature, patience, and the wisdom passed down through generations. Would you like to incorporate some of these secrets into your beauty routine?