For she was a woman of surpassing beauty, and at that time, when she was in the prime of her youth, she was most striking; she also possessed a most charming voice and a knowledge of how to make herself agreeable to everyone. Cassius Dio
Various literature has described Cleopatra’s appearance, praising it to great extents. Ancient historians like Plutarch and Cassius Dio mention her beauty throughout their writings, with Plutarch specifically describing her as having a “marvelous beauty” and a captivating presence.
her beauty routine
Cleopatra is known to have taken her beauty routine quite seriously. Along with milk baths, honey facials, and sea salt scrubs, olive oil was a key element that tied together most of her self-care rituals.
skin
EVOO naturally targets epidermal keratinocytes (the predominant cells that comprise the outer layer of skin) and can stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin, encouraging firmer and healthier skin. Ancient Egyptians used oils daily to protect and moisturize their skin, typically combining them with essential oils to serve as perfume as well.
Facial Serum:
Combine 1 tablespoon of Zimms EVOO, 1–2 drops of your essential oil of choice, and a small squeeze of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the eyelids. Leave the serum on overnight to allow the oil to soak into the skin.
dead skin
It is believed that Cleopatra frequently exfoliated with sea salt to achieve radiant, soft skin. When mixed with olive oil and rubbed onto the skin, the salt helps remove layers of dead skin cells, and the oil gives the skin a soft, smooth, natural glow.
Mix ½ cup of EVOO with 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt. Add 2–3 drops of your essential oil of choice (i.e., lavender, geranium, lemon, or rose). Scrub your whole body in circular motions, then rinse the scrub off in the shower with warm water.
hair
Olive oil was an essential ingredient in Cleopatra’s haircare routine, allowing her to achieve smooth, shiny, and hydrated hair. It is rumored that she lathered her hair weekly with freshly harvested EVOO then wrapped it up in a warm towel to allow the oil to deeply penetrate into her hair follicles.
Lather a few tablespoons of EVOO liberally throughout your hair, focusing primarily on the ends. Wrap your hair in a warm towel, then sit in the sun or an infrared sauna for about an hour. While this step is not crucial, the heat allows the oil to moisturize your hair follicles even more deeply. Afterward, take a shower as you normally would. Shampooing twice is optional, depending on your preference.
the ultimate beauty secret
Though Cleopatra was a huge proponent of applying olive oil topically throughout her beauty regimen, EVOO is also a nutritional powerhouse when ingested. Its anti-oxidative and free-radical-fighting properties contribute to cell renewal while lowering inflammation in the body.
For that reason, our ultimate beauty secret at Zimms is to take an EVOO shot on an empty stomach upon waking. By starting your day with an EVOO shot, you soothe your digestive system, stimulate brain function, and boost your daily intake of squalene (a natural skin moisturizer and protector)—all things we are sure Cleopatra would stand by.