Make-up Talk

Like the costumes, the methods of make-ups were kept to few and were as simple as their attire. However, one notable exception was perhaps the attention that was paid to eye care.

Indian literature speak volumes of the hypnotic gaze of the Indian woman in whose eyes a thousand expressions glimmer and disappear in a moment’s time. Simple their lifestyle though eye makeup was very much in fashion. The trend was to darken eyes thickly with “Kanmashi” (Kajal).

Traditionally prepared “Kanmashi” cools and soothes the eye and removes signs of fatigue. It stimulates the eye glands and increases secretions, resulting in properly cleansed and lustrous eyes. Perhaps it is the stress that yesterdays’ woman gave to the eye care which impressed the works of arts and literature for generations.

There are various traditional ways to prepare “Kanmashi” which were handed down through the generations.

The method woman of our village used to do was burning of the Koovalam leaves and holding a brass place over the burning leaves to collect its soot. This was mixed with one or two drops of oil and then applied to the rim of the eye leashes as well as to the eye brows.

Muslim men as well as women applied the “Suruma” to their eyes. Suruma is a powder made of the Galena which is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide.

Apart from this other make ups were very few and humble to speak of.

Hindu women applied the Kumkumam - a powder, deep red in colour which is a mixture of slaked lime and turmeric - on their foreheads. This paste shall be applied in the form of a thick round spot which was called a “Kumkumappottu”.

Hindu men and women alike wore a “chandanakkuri” or a line of sandalwood paste. Sandalwood paste is made by rubbing the sandalwood on a granite stone, some specially made for making the “Chandana” (sandalwood) paste. It is said that the sandalwood paste so made should be smoother than butter. This paste is applied in one or more vertical lines across the forehead.

A decoration with Mayilanchi or Henna was also popular. The leaves of the Henna plant (used to be available in every other house hold) were plucked and ground into a thick paste. This was applied in a circular patch in the centre of the palm and a cap is formed over the fingers. This is normally done just before retiring for the night. The paste shall be allowed to stand and dry overnight. The following morning the dried paste is washed off. A red pigmentation shall be left behind on the applied area.

Sometimes the Mayilanchi is applied to the toes too. This is also used as a method to cure toe infections.