In ancient Egypt, what was a common material used for eyelash decoration?

In ancient Egypt, charcoal and soot were commonly used for eyelash decoration due to their properties that allowed for effective application and striking aesthetics. These materials could create bold and dark lines around the eyes, which not only enhanced beauty but also held significant cultural and symbolic meanings. The use of charcoal and soot was linked to cosmetics designed to protect the eyes from the sun's glare and potential infections, as well as to ward off the evil eye. This practice illustrated the importance of eye makeup in ancient Egyptian society, both for appearance and health.

Brittle fibers and natural oils do not resonate with the traditional methods of enhancing eyelashes or eye makeup from that era, while flower petals typically served different decorative or ceremonial purposes rather than as a direct component of eyelash decoration. Thus, charcoal and soot stand out as the materials most aligned with cosmetic practices of ancient Egypt.