Industry News

The Beauty Of The Nile: Not So Beautiful After All?

March 31, 2009  2:01 pm

Whether or not you consider yourself an expert in Egyptology, you are likely familiar with the bust of Nefertiti. Discovered in 1912 during the excavation of the studio of Thutmose (the royal sculptor to the pharaoh Akhenaten), the 20-inch carving’s symmetry and fine features put it on par with the Mona Lisa as one of the world’s most famous renderings of female beauty. But recent analysis of the limestone core at the center of the external layers of stucco reveal that the ancient Egyptian Queen may not’ve been such a looker. Using advanced CT technology, German scientists have been able to analyze the deepest layers of the art piece, only to discover that Thutmose’s original facial structure had less prominent cheekbones, a slight bump on the ridge of the nose, creases around the corner of the mouth and cheeks, and less depth at the corners of the eyelids. The discovery has prompted experts to suggest that the Pharaoh likely instructed the artist to re-create his wife’s image as he saw her in his mind. And so the origins of airbrushing have finally been discovered.

tags: Akhenaten, Makeup, Mona Lisa, Nefertiti, Skincare, Thutmose

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1. I wonder if my boyfriend thinks I look like Giselle? I sure hope so.

   By turnstyle1 on 03/31/09 at 2:03 pm

2. Amazing how the accepted perception of beauty has essentially remained unchanged throughout the millenia. The straight, elegant nose, the beautifully high cheekbones, the strong chin are still desired.

   By Glamorously on 03/31/09 at 11:41 pm

3. Amazing news! This might also be related to the fact that Nefertiti’s left eye has been left empty, possibly implying that there is more info hidden than the common eyes can see.However my personal oppinion is that Nefertiti’s immortal beauty is all about the graceful and loving expression of her face rather than any difference in millimeters on the characteristics of the nose and chin.
   Kind Regards,
   Marily P.

   By onelove on 04/3/09 at 6:24 am

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