Even though Scheherazade is a legendary character, probably, she is the only world’s famous Persian beauty that has been heard of by many. A strong, intelligent, courageous, and well-educated woman, whose name comes from Persian words meaning “from noble and exalted lineage.”

Scheherazade is the central storyteller from the collection of Middle Eastern folk tales “One Thousand and One Nights,” also known as “Arabian Nights.” Some tales trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Sanskrit, Persian, and Mesopotamian folklore.

The story of the storyteller

According to the tales, Scheherazade was a virgin of noble blood, a vizier’s daughter, who volunteered to marry a cruel king Shahryar against her father’s wishes. Scheherazade was described as not only intelligent but also exceptionally beautiful.

The story goes that Shahryar’s first wife was unfaithful to him, and the king resolved to marry a new virgin every day and to have her beheaded the next morning before she could dishonor him.

Scheherazade, however, devised a plan to save her and the other women of the kingdom. On her wedding night, she began telling the king an enchanting story but deliberately left it unfinished, promising to finish it the following night. Intrigued, the king postponed her execution to hear the rest of the story. The next night, Scheherazade continued the tale but again stopped at a crucial point, sparking the king’s curiosity and leading to another delay of execution.

“We are all like Scheherazade’s husband, in that we want to know what happens next.” – E. M. Forster

Scheherazade continued this pattern for 1,000 nights. Finally, at the 1,001 night, Scheherazade told the king that she had no more tales to tell and asked him to allow her to say goodbye to the three sons she had given him during those years. But her intelligence and captivating beauty won the king’s heart. He spared her life and made her his queen.

“Scheherazade is the classical example of a woman saving her head by using it.” – Esme Wynne-Tyson (Smile 🙂

“Scheherazade … possessed courage, wit, and penetration, infinitely above her sex. She had read much, and had so admirable a memory, that she never forgot anything she had read. She had successfully applied herself to philosophy, medicine, history, and the liberal arts; and her poetry excelled the compositions of the best writers of her time. Besides this, she was a perfect beauty, and all her accomplishments were crowned by solid virtue.” – The Arabian Nights Entertainments (1811) as translated by Jonathan Scott, Vol. I, p. 20

Scheherazade’s exceptional beauty

Scheherazade is a fictional character. Nobody ever saw her. However, her beauty must be captivating and enchanting to win the king’s love.

Scheherazade was Persian and there is a wide range of diversity within the Persian culture in terms of appearances. However, there are some common characteristics often associated with the beauty of Persian women. So, let’s speculate and generalize. Anyway, beauty is subjective and you are free to create the image of Scheherazade in your mind the way you like.

Here is our version:

Scheherazade was a Persian woman with striking and unique features:

• Her skin was fair and naturally radiance.
• Her expressive and captivating eyes were almond-shaped and slightly elongated. Dark, thick lashes and defined eyebrows enhanced the allure of her eyes. Subtle makeup techniques, such as accentuating the eyes with kohl or eyeliner and enhancing the lips with natural shades, were often favored.
• Scheherazade had long and wavy, coal-black hair, showcasing natural shines and luster. Flowing locks are often considered a symbol of femininity and elegance among Persian women.
• She may have softly curved nose, full lips, and a symmetrical face that is aesthetically pleasing.
• Scheherazade’s impeccable fashion sense and ability to blend different elements seamlessly enhanced her overall appearance. She elegantly combined vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and luxurious fabrics in her clothing choices.
• Her poise, self-assured demeanor, and warm hospitality contributed to her overall attractiveness.
• Her teeth were stunningly white thanks to natural dense yogurt.

10 beauty secrets of Scheherazade

The stories of Scheherazade do not specifically mention her beauty care routine. However, given her status as a queen and her desire to captivate the king, it can be inferred that she would have taken care of her appearance.

Persian women have a long-standing tradition of beauty rituals and practices that have been passed down through generations. While beauty secrets can vary among individuals, in the context of the tales and the historical setting they depict, beauty care practices commonly associated with Persian women of the time might have included:

1. Hammam: Since time immemorial, hammam has been the traditional bathing practice, an inseparable part of Persian health and beauty care. The use of the kiseh (a body scrubbing glove or mitt) offers both physical and therapeutic benefits. It helps to unclog pores, prevent ingrown hairs, and improve overall skin texture. Additionally, the scrubbing action can provide a relaxing and invigorating experience, leaving the bather feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
2. Turmeric masks: Persian women often use turmeric to create facial masks. Turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory and brightening properties, and applying a turmeric mask can help achieve a glowing complexion.
3. Rosewater: Rosewater is a staple in Persian beauty care. It is used as a toner to hydrate and refresh the skin, giving it a natural radiance.
4. Haircare: The tales describe Scheherazade as having long and flowing hair. She used to colour her coal-black hair with basma (black hair dye) and henna. Afterwards she washed her hair with fresh juice made of various fruits. Haircare in ancient Middle Eastern cultures often involved the use of oils and natural ingredients like henna for coloring and conditioning the hair. It’s possible she used various oils to maintain the health and shine of her hair.
5. Natural oils: Persian women often use natural oils like argan oil, rosehip oil, and olive oil to moisturize and nourish their skin and hair. These oils provide hydration, promote healthy hair growth, and help maintain a youthful appearance. Scheherazade may have used olive oil or argan oil to moisturize and nourish her skin.
6. Exfoliation: To achieve smooth and gentle skin she rubbed herself with a mixture made of honey and nuts. For depilation she used special sugar balls with lemon juice. Persian women may mix sugar with other ingredients like honey or oils to create homemade scrubs. Ground almonds with almond oil are also used as natural scrubs to brighten the skin.
7. Saffron-infused skincare: Saffron, a prized spice in Persian culture, is often used in beauty care. Persian women may infuse saffron into oils or mix it with other ingredients to create skincare products that help with brightening and toning the skin.
8. Eye makeup: Cosmetics have a long history in the Middle East. Scheherazade might have used kohl (a type of eyeliner), natural pigments, and henna for decorative purposes. Kohl was often applied to accentuate the eyes and create a striking look.
9. Hydration through herbal teas: Persian women often enjoy herbal teas, such as chamomile or rosehip tea, for their calming properties and to promote hydration. Staying hydrated is an essential aspect of maintaining healthy and glowing skin.
10. Fragrances: Perfumes and scents were highly valued in the ancient Middle East. Scheherazade may have used aromatic oils, attars (perfume oils), or incense to enhance her personal scent and create an alluring atmosphere. “I want to inhale the fragrance of your skin, drink from your open mouth.” ― Suzy Davies, “Johari’s Window”

“Scheherazade had perused the books, annals and legends of preceding Kings, and the stories, examples and instances of bygone men and things; indeed it was said that she had collected a thousand books of histories relating to antique races and departed rulers. She had perused the works of the poets and knew them by heart; she had studied philosophy and the sciences, arts and accomplishments; and she was pleasant and polite, wise and witty, well read and well bred.” ― Richard Francis Burton, “One Thousand and One Nights: Complete Arabian Nights Collection”