Styles
You can accentuate your eyes in many ways and this is in no way a complete list of styles that you can use however, these are styles that you will see many people use in Middle Eastern Dance. Now, some people might wonder why you should accentuate your eyes. It's because when your under the intense and often harsh lighting of a stage your features become washed out and hard to see. That means you need to add something there to make them more noticeable. I've found that these are the most common and complimentary styles in Middle Eastern Dance.
Lining The Eyes
Basic Outline
The Basic Outline Is incorporated in all of the following designs
and is probably already quite common for most people. It's
simply lining the eyes on the upper and lower lash. To the Left
you can see an example of the design you will use to line your
eye. To the Right you can see an example of this design as it
may be used on stage. You may want to line the eyes a little
thicker then you would for everyday wear.
Basic Egyptian
The Basic Egyptian is based on the traditional design seen in
temple relief's and tombs of ancient Egypt. To create this
design Line the upper and lower lashline thickly then draw a
straight line out from the outer corner of your eye. To the Left
is an example of how this will look and to the Right is an
example of how you would see this design in a stage setting.
Double Egyptian
The Double Egyptian is a variation on the Basic Egyptian. In
this design you thickly line the upper and lower lashline and
then extend one tail out from the upper lid and one line from the
lower lid. To the Left is a picture of the design by itself and to
the Right is a picture showing an example of this design used in
a stage setting.
Cleopatra
This design is inspired by the famous queen of Egypt, Cleopatra.
This is a design that has been taken from Hollywood. Liz Taylor
and other actresses can be seen sporting this look in their roles
as Cleopatra. To achieve this look you line the upper and lower
lashline thickly. Next draw a "tail" coming out from the corner
of your eye. And for the final touch starting from the inner
corner of your upper lid trace the natural line of the crevice
between your eyebrow and your lid. To the Left is an illustration
of this and to the Right is a picture of an example of how to use
this look on stage.
Isis
This design is named after Isis, the queen of the Egyptian gods
and the mother of magick in Egyptian mythology. Cleopatra
herself claimed to be a daughter of Isis. That is one of the
reasons that I call this design Isis, since it is similar to the
Cleopatra design only it has an extra "tail". The extra "tail"
makes it a "larger" more "grand" design and who's more grand
then Cleopatra? Isis, of course, she's larger than life. To create
this style you line the upper and lower lashline thickly and then
extend a "tail" off the upper lid and a slightly shorter "tail" off the
lower lid. Now, starting from the inner corner of your upper lid
trace the natural line of the crevice between your eyebrow and
your lid. To the Left is an illustration of this and to the Right is a
picture of an example of how to use this look on stage.
Anak Soon Amun
I call this one the Anak Soon Amun because I copied the
design from the one they used on the character of the same
name in the recent versions of the movies "The Mummy" and
"The Mummy Returns". I just thought the way they did her
eyes way absolutely fabulous. To create this on your eyes Line
the upper and lower lashline thickly, then draw a "tail" as you
would for the Basic Egyptian. Now, draw another "tail" above
the first and line the crevice between your lid and eyebrow and
connect it to the end of the second "tail". To the Left is an
illustration of this and to the Right is a picture of an example of
how to use this look on stage. To create a similar look to that
the movies "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" use this
lining with the Anak Soon Amun Eye Shadow; they complement
each other perfectly.
Bast
Bast is the Egyptian goddess of the home. She is also, the cat
goddess and is often depicted as a half cat half woman. This
design brings to mind the eyes of a cat and so is named after
the goddess whose eyes they most resemble. To create this
for yourself you line the upper and lower lashline thickly. Then,
draw a small tail on the inner corner of the eye and draw it going
down and out towards the tip of your nose but remember to keep
it small. To the Left is an illustration of this and to the Right is
a picture example.
Double Bast
This is basically the same as the Bast design except that it has
an extra "tail". Follow the same instructions for Bast and then
add a second smaller "tail" off the lower lid. Try to make the
tails curve upward. To the Left is an illustration of this design.
To the Right is a picture demonstrating this design in a stage
setting.
Modern Egyptian
The Modern Egyptian design is a new spin off the traditional
Basic Egyptian design. It still lines the eye and has a long
"tail" but, the "tail" is in a slightly higher location. To create this
design on your eyes line the upper and lower lashlines thickly.
Now, starting from the inner corner of your upper lid trace the
natural line of the crevice between your eyebrow and your lid,
drawing a line out as in the Basic Egyptian. To the Left is an
illustration of this design. To the Right is a picture
demonstrating this design in a stage setting.
Modern Outline
For those who want to try something new but don't want to be
too daring, this is perfect it's the basic out line with a little more
depth. To create this design on your eyes line the upper and
lower lashlines thickly. Now, starting from the inner corner of
your upper lid trace the natural line of the crevice between your
eyebrow and your lid, drawing a line out as in the Basic
Egyptian. To the Left is an illustration of this design. To the
Right is a picture demonstrating this design in a stage setting.
Cat Eye's
Anyone remember the Cat eye glasses? That's right I named
this look after the "fabulous" cat eye glasses. Although, unlike
the glasses this look is very cool. To create it draw a line out
from the center of your upper lashline and draw a line up
following the line of your lower lashline up to the end of the
other line. Now, fill in the triangle and line the upper and lower
lashline thickly.
Double Cat Eye's
This is basically the same as the Cat Eye's design except it
has an extra "tail". To create this look you simply Follow the
same instructions as you would for the Cat Eye's design and
then add another shorter "tail" off the corner of the lower
lashline.
Arabesque
The Arabesque design is similar to the Basic Egyptian and
Bast designs only it's not quite as bold. This style is often seen
on young stars today as it accentuates the eyes with a soft
feminine curve which often follows the natural curves and lines
of your lashes. To create this look line both lashlines thickly
and then following the upper lashline outwards, draw a line out
and curve upwards towards the end of your eyebrow. Try to
make the line taper off as opposed to just stopping the line.
Eye Shadow
Shadow 1
Coming Soon!
Shadow 2
Coming Soon!
Shadow 3
Coming Soon!
Shadow 4
Coming Soon!
Shadow 5
Coming Soon!
Shadow 6
Coming Soon!
Kohl
If you've never applied kohl before it can be difficult, in fact you may want to practice with it a few times before you actually plan on using it. First of all Kohl is, in my opinion, much better than the liner pens and pencils you can buy today. Kohl is actually healthier for your eyes and it lasts even through perspiration. To apply Kohl as a lose powder you will need an applicator or you can use a toothpick. If you use a toothpick try to round the edge a little with a nail file before you use it. Soak the toothpick in oil (I always use olive) overnight before use. Wipe the excess oil off and dip the end into the Kohl powder. Now apply it to you inner eyelid right next to the eye possibly even touching the eye with the toothpick. Don't worry the kohl won't damage your eye. Now blink a couple times and any excess kohl that was in the eye will move to the outside where you can wipe it off. Be careful not to smudge it though as it will keep smudging and smudging and smudging. To remove it just wash with warm water and a mild soap. You can also find kohl as a pressed powder in a tube with an applicator.
Fake Lashes and Eye Jewels
If your eyes just don't get enough attention then here are two more ways to get you eyes "popping". You can use fake lashes to draw attention to your eyes (right) or you can use eye jewels like the ones here to the left, they often come with fancy lashes too, such as the ones in the picture. They will come with instructions on how to apply them and remove them. If you use them a lot and the stickiness wears off don't throw them away just get some spirit gum from a costume supply store or stock up during Halloween. Then you can reapply the stickiness whenever you need to. Eye jewels can be a real fun alternative to lining your eyes.
Binidi's
Although technically these don't go on or around your eyes they have been put in this category as opposed to adding another page just for them. Bindi's can be a lot of fun and have grown in popularity in the last decade. Bindi's come in a variety of colors and shapes and can be used by cabaret and tribal dancers. They are especially great for dances with Indian influence. Often they will come with adhesive on the back already but, if they don't or if they lose their stickiness, you can use spirit gum to adhere them to your forehead. Some people also use them across the top of the eyebrows in a line to call attention to their eyebrows and eyes.
