Palestinian cosmetician shares beauty secrets of traditional eyeliner 'kohl'

Record ID: 1461638

  • Title: Palestinian cosmetician shares beauty secrets of traditional eyeliner 'kohl'
  • Date: 3rd March 2020
  • Summary: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (FEBRUARY 15, 2020) (REUTERS) PALESTINIAN COSMETICIAN, HADEYA QUDAIH, POURING OLIVE OIL IN CAST IRON PAN KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (FEBRUARY 27, 2020) (REUTERS) QUDAIH SETTING FIRE TO PIECE OF CLOTH STAINED WITH OLIVE OIL IN SLOW MOTION QUDAIH SITTING BY AS OLIVE OIL-STAINED CLOTH BURNS TO MAKE KOHL OR TRADITIONAL EYELINER FIRE INSIDE PAN / QUDAIH COVERING PAN WI
  • Embargoed: 17th March 2020 11:52
  • Keywords: Gaza Khan Younis Kohl Palestinian occupied territories Palestinian women Palestinians Traditional eyeliner
  • Location: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA
  • City: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Living / Lifestyle,Society/Social Issues,Editors' Choice
  • Reuters ID: LVA001C3HYUL1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Palestinian cosmetician Hadeya Qudaih sits over an open fire, flame-roasting olive oil and dark fabric into a deep black ash that she says is healthier - and more attractive - than modern eyeliners.
    The ancient eye cosmetic known as "kohl" in Arabic is popular across the Middle East and North Africa for its jet-black veneer and perceived health benefits which come from one of its main components - olive oil.
    It creates a dramatic effect when spread above and below the eyes.
    In the Gaza Strip, Qudaih, 64, says the mascara technique she inherited from her grandparents can help shield the eyes from germs and ease bloating and redness from seasonal allergies.
    "This kohl is part of our grandmothers' heritage and from our mothers, very early on. They used it for the eyes because it is healthy and (has) medical (benefits) and better today's kohl," Qudaih said at her stall in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
    Qudaih fires up the oil and fabric in a large cast iron pan, burning it into a black crust that she then scrapes from the surface with a metal spoon. That black ash is the kohl, which she then packs into small gold-painted jars.
    Her son, Ibrahim, sells kohl locally for 20 shekels ($6) a jar. "It's clean, healthy and cures the eyes," the 25-year-old said.
    Another Gaza woman, Seham Qudaih, 66, who wears kohl herself, said her mother and grandmother used to make the ancient eyeliner at home themselves.
    (Production: Bassam Massoud, Mohammed Shanna, Rami Ayyub, Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh, Roleen Tafakji)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register