Eyeliner: A Cultural History

I didn’t know I wanted to read a history account of eyeliner but this proved to be a fascinating read. Hankir traces the role of this cosmetic in our ideas about beauty and power from Nefertiti to Amy Winehouse. Its uses even go beyond make-up, like shielding eyes from the sun or warding off the evil eye. She profiles geishas, drag queens, and nomads, illustrating what eyeliner means to different cultures and the commonality between us all. Don’t be surprised if you feel inspired to up your eyeliner game after reading!