Does the beauty of oriental women attract you? The surrounding riot of colors, clear arrows, edging eyes, and an alluring mystery in the look - all this fascinates many. The East is a storehouse of contradictions and ideological limitations. How can a beauty attract attention if the body is hidden under a burqa, and only the eyes are open for prying eyes? Antimony will come to the rescue. "What is this?" - the inexperienced European will ask. The answer is simple - an excellent natural cosmetic product for decorating the eyes, capable of preserving youth, beauty and health. Not without reason in the eastern countries not only women use antimony. With the eyes down you can easily meet both men and children.
Meet: antimony!
Have you paid attention to the Indians, Arabs, Bedouins of the desert with their eyes closed? Antimony it! What is it that the eastern men saw in it, using the product on itself, not only for decoration, but also for therapeutic purposes? In the hot deserts of Africa, as well as in India, antimony was used as eye protection from sand, dust, and the scorching sun. The antiseptic properties of the drug helped to prevent the development of various infections of the visual organ. In Iran, for example, crushed black stone (the basis for the preparation of antimony) was used to treat burns. Thanks to this, people got rid of blisters. It was also laid at the edges of the wound for its disinfection and speedy healing.
So, a universal remedy that combines both cosmetic and therapeutic effects is antimony. How to use the product for the eyes depends on its form of release. It happens in the form of powder, pencil, paste in a tube. Antimony may vary in color: the palette starts from blue-black and ends with an almost colorless, light shade. Often it contains additional substances that enhance its properties. For example, camphor, cosmetic oils and herbal essences.
Let's look deep into etymology
In different languages, the same tool has variations in the names. When they say "kohl", "kajal" (or "kujal"), "kayal", all the same antimony is meant. The word in Turkish means "blackening". This applies to eyelashes and eyebrows. Other variations somewhat change their meaning. So, "kayal" from the ancient Assyro-Babylonian language is translated differently - "cosmetics". The word "kajal" is most often used in relation to an antimony soft pencil. And in the manufacture of antimony from coal, called black stone or kohl, a similar name goes to the product itself for the eyes.
Is antimony in the eye related to a chemical element?
Cosmetic antimony has little in common with the chemical element of the same name. However, skeptics continue to question: antimony - what is this? Such a chemical compound may not be useful. In certain quantities, this metal is toxic to the human body, although in small doses it is invariably present in it. In addition, the role of this trace element in the development of living organisms is still unclear.
Antimony itself is used in the semiconductor industry. Its compounds with lead are used to enhance the strength of the latter. In general, the addition of antimony to alloys and compounds with other elements gives the newly obtained material additional properties, expanding its scope.
Secrets of making antimony for the eyes
Antimony sulfide of natural origin was previously used as a medicine and cosmetic. But now there is only one name left. At the same time, today in the Iranian-Iraqi countries, antimony for the eyes is made from crushed black coal or ismide on a liquid paraffin or oil. Moreover, the quality of the mineral is determined by its ability to crumble. In structure, it is heterogeneous:
- The shell of the stone has a dark color with a certain tint. She goes to the production of blue-black antimony.
- The core of the mineral is light. It is used to obtain gray and light gray antimony.
- The intermediate zone is painted in dark colors, but without low tide. It is most preferred for grinding, so it gives the smallest crumb.
Ismide may contain lead sulfide. It is toxic to humans, so you should choose only high quality antimony with a good degree of purification. As a rule, cheaper Iranian, Egyptian and Chinese contain lead in maximum permissible doses.
In the traditions of India, domestic antimony is made from muslin fabric. It is soaked in sandalwood oil and burned in a special lamp filled with castor oil. The soot remaining on its walls will be used as antimony for the eyes.
Remedy
For therapeutic purposes, colorless antimony is used for the eyes. It is difficult to find reviews of doctors about its unconventional use, since doctors are usually restrained in comments related to alternative methods of treatment. However, there are no obvious contraindications and excuses either.
To enhance the therapeutic effect, camphor, oil or herbs are added to antimony. So, the first substance has a cooling and refreshing effect, causing tearing during the first application and some inconvenience in the eyes. But when the beauty victim blinks and can open her eyes, her gaze takes on a clear and healthy look without a drop of fatigue. The addition of oils has a positive effect on eyelash growth and hydration of the skin around the eyes. Basma and herbal extracts nourish the epidermis. They also work well on eyelashes and eyebrows.
Medical antimony helps in the following cases:
- It treats eye infections: conjunctivitis, barley.
- It is used against seasonal allergic eye irritation.
- Relieves fatigue of the visual organ.
- Improves the blood circulation of the eyeball, strengthening the vascular network.
- Makes eyesight sharper and clearer.
- Accelerates the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows.
If a fashionista wears contact lenses and suffers from allergies to cosmetics, then antimony can be a great alternative to decorative cosmetics.
Beauty product
The famous oriental arrows for the eyes are drawn exactly with antimony! However, pursuing cosmetic goals, you should carefully approach the choice of funds. For example, Al-Sherifain is an Indian powder of antimony. The reviews of those who tested it are full of statements that it is good only for medicinal purposes, as the arrows made with its help quickly crumble. Another Indian-made product - Hind ka Noor - is positioned as an excellent foundation for makeup: the arrows are not thin, the inner eyelid is decorated wonderfully. Using antimony is very easy to make famous smoky eyes. Makeup is obtained thanks to the powder structure of the product. In this case, clear arrows are drawn with oil or pencil antimony.
Antimony powder
Antimony powder is applied with a special stick, which usually comes with the product. It can be wooden or glass. The first option is considered environmentally friendly, in addition, it is pleasant to the touch. But there is a risk of getting a splinter or an infection, because it is a fertile material for the reproduction of bacteria. Glass is more durable and sterile. The grinding quality matters: the finer the powder structure of the material, the easier and more uniformly the antimony is applied.
To avoid shedding powder, you can first apply a oily cream to the skin around the eyes. It will fulfill the function of the foundation. Oriental beauties before highlighting the eyes with antimony, lighten the skin under the eyes with powder. Then they apply the product and remove the excess powder with cotton pads. As a result, the makeup is more contrasting and very neat.
Antimony pencil
A pencil is an antimony powder compressed for convenient application. Softness gives it an oil base. Therefore, it is more pleasing to the eye than European similar cosmetics. A pencil is good for correcting powder makeup and quickly applying arrows. Such antimony does not raise questions in application. Anyone who has ever used pencil eyeliner can easily do makeup.
Antimony in the form of butter or paste
This form of antimony release is suitable for the winter period. It does not spread, does not crumble, perfectly decorates and refreshes the eyes. Eyelashes eat well and grow quickly. In summer makeup, it looks too massive and bright. Oily antimony is not suitable for girls with oily skin. The shine of the skin around the eyes (by no means diamond) is provided to them.
How to apply antimony?
As a cosmetic, antimony is applied in the morning half an hour before the release. If a beauty pursues therapeutic goals, then the drug can be left overnight, specially covering them with eyes before going to bed. Antimony does not have to be washed off. But if there is such a need, it is enough to wipe the summed up eyes with oil or wash your face with foam or soap. Contact lens wearers should first put antimony on and then wear optical elements. This is due to a possible eye reaction to the remedy. May cause lacrimation, temporary redness of the ocular space.
Antimony - what is it? Now you can easily answer this question, even read a short lecture. Maybe you want to try this miracle tool on yourself. You must admit that the mysterious East has become a little closer and more accessible, having slightly opened the curtain of its enchanting color.