Fells Point Salon at Spa Glyka

This is pretty awesome 🪡

For centuries, scholars believed that the intricately braided, gravity-defying updos synonymous with Roman hairstyling were achieved with wigs. Then a professional hairdresser turned bona fide “hair archaeology” specialist proved them wrong.

Baltimore-based Janet Stephens had been fascinated with hair her entire life. But in 2001, she became particularly interested in ancient hairdressing.

While visiting The Walters Art Museum, Stephens viewed a collection of Roman busts displayed from all angles, rather than with their backs against a wall, as was customary.

Being able to circle the busts helped Stephens understand the “logic” behind certain hairstyles, leading her to believe that, contrary to scholarly consensus, they weren’t the result of wigs at all but of ingenuity.

At home, Stephens at first tried—and failed—to recreate the ancient styles on practice dummies, despite having access to modern styling tools. Yet as she consulted academic articles on Roman fashion and beauty for insight, she realized the authors didn’t have a practical grasp of hair dynamics.

Determined to solve the mystery, Stephens committed herself to years of both hands-on experimentation and historical research. The latter was far outside her wheelhouse, especially when it came to deciphering historical texts. Still, she pushed through, using Google Translate to work through line after line of Latin until, in 2005, she spotted a clue no one had noticed before.

The Latin term acus has several meanings, including “single-prong hairpin” and “needle and thread.” In the context of ancient Roman hairdressing, translators had long interpreted acus to mean “single-prong hairpin.” Which, to be fair, makes sense. Single-prong hairpins couldn’t have held up these elaborate hairstyles, but they are commonly used to secure wigs. That all checks out.

However, Stephens entertained the possibility that maybe, just maybe, the Romans were actually referring to the “needle and thread” meaning of acus. Sure enough, she was able to recreate these hairstyles by sewing the braids into place with a needle and thread.

Just like that, a Baltimore hairstylist with zero experience in archaeology made a groundbreaking archaeological discovery. Her findings were published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology. In 2012, her video “Julia Domna: forensic hairdressing” was presented at the Archaeological Institute of America. In 2013, she became the first person to recreate the hairstyle of the Roman Vestal Virgins. Today, her YouTube channel features historical hair recreations alongside demonstrations of more modern techniques.

🍾 Nina's done it again!🍾 This beautiful updo is pretty perfect for a wedding or just celebrating 🍁Fall weather 🍁with your sweetheart 🫶
Booking link for the salon is in the comments 👇

🎉Nina's impressive skills 🎉
Perms are back in style and this is one FABULOUS example (Jelly Beach Waves)💖

🤩😍 Look at this beautiful work of art done by our Nina 🦋🌷

📣Nina still has openings available 📣💖
You can book here👇
https://www.vagaro.com/stylesbyemma?fbclid=Iwb21leATm9tNvbWV4BN7ez2NsY2sE3t67ZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeIrsVuhJer1vVDwqzoKQlXmVXaAXXh9iKCrT06QYbh3y3y9nn3lVBjRs29oM_aem_5iaSMd_Vl0Y6Ekfo_ChsbQ&ig_fbb=true

Fells Point Salon Studio - Baltimore MD | Vagaro Hair studio.

From Nina ~ link to book is in the comments 👇~
Hello to my family, friends and clients. I have made it home safely and cannot wait to see you all. My parents are doing well in Greece and are settled in. Father is doing better than last year but has moments of sundowning. Thank you for understanding my travels to help them. I am thankful he is doing as well as he is. Mom will let us know when she needs more help or to be escorted home to America depending on his health needs. missing you all and cannot wait to see you.💋💕😘🤗😍💗

We wish all the Dads out there a great day! Have a wonderful day celebrating with your families 🥰