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Beauty tips for an Aztec girl

In many ways the Aztecs were a sophisticated bunch: neat, clean, graceful and... keen on the natural look.

HAIR CARE. For keeping those long dark locks shiny, the Aztec girl applied a fine conditioner made from the oil of avocado stones, mixed with a bit of axin for added colour and shine. Axin is actually a greasy yellow substance produced by squashing an insect!

CLEANLINESS. Instead of the bars of soap that we use, the Aztecs made use of two plants that have a natural soaping action, one for their skin and another for their clothes.

SKINCARE. To keep the face looking soft and freckle-free, the Aztecs applied a watery preparation of senna (plant) and yarrow (herb) - plus a bit of pigeon poo...!

LOOKING AFTER YOUR TEETH. The Aztecs made their own toothpaste, out of a rather unpleasant-sounding mixture of roots, salt and chilli. And they rubbed their teeth with charcoal, much as we use toothbrushes today.

BAD HABITS! So, what not to do? Well, some women had a habit of staining their teeth dark red with cochineal – a red colour extracted by crushing a tiny little beetle or bug that lives in a cactus...