Cleopatra

Recreate an authentic Cleopatra (VII Philopator) Egyptian hairstyle using period appropriate equipment. Based on a statue in the British Museum.
Background music ("Cleopatra" ISRC QM-UDL-11-00012) created by Janet Stephens, jntvstp, using Apple Garageband.

[@natbathebat]

I feel like tying and sewing hair looks FAR more secure than bobby pins and hair pins. Not to mention easier, less expensive, and less annoying to vacuums.

[@kezkezooie8595]

+Natalya Barfelt Being someone who's had hip or longer length hair most of my life (so has often had to endure the discomfort of hairpins, elastic bands and clips when dressing my hair when it wasn't appropriate to have it out loose) the idea of sewing the hair in place seems as though it would be much, much mor comfortable as an added bonus to being more secure.

[@hepthegreat4005]

kez kezooie I actually use small sections of hair I leave lose to weave the hair together sometimes. it's less visible.

[@kezkezooie8595]

hep the great That's a great tip, thanks :)

[@NinjaToe]

@@kezkezooie8595 yes... my grandma had very thick and waist length hair and being a very old fashioned lady she always braided her hair with coarse cotton long ribbons for extra grip. She never used needle but she knew bunch of slipknots to tie them. I got my hair braided a couple times from her and it is truly lightweight and secure.

[@justintime3656]

I do it sometimes, and it is

[@jntvstp]

She may have costumed herself for Rome as carefully as any Hollywood director might have, conforming to her audience’s preconceptions here, challenging them there. If you are really interested in this topic, there is a wonderful book called “Hollywood and History: Costume Design in Film” (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1987). It explores the concept of historical accuracy in film and how it has changed over the decades. There is a large photo spread on Cleopatra specifically. Cheers, Janet

[@jntvstp]

@LaDollyVita33 By the time Cleopatra took power, there had not been an ethnic Egyptian monarch for at least 300 years. Her predecessors, the Ptolemies, usurped control over Egypt during the power vacuum after the death of Alexander the Great. They treated Egypt as a cash cow for their own personal enrichment, importing thousands of greeks and other foreigners to settle in Egypt--both to ensure a loyal military and political base and to maximize Egypt’s productivity.

[@geoffreyprince]

LOVE this! I own a copy of the bust you used as reference, and yes, it IS a portrait of Cleopatra while she was in Rome. Visiting rotalty were forbidden to wear their crowns, etc, by Roman law, so she appears without the usual Ptolemaic diadem (thus causing some doubters to debate thhe identity of this particular bust). I have always loved the look of this bust, but always wondered how exactly the hairstyle was created - especially the hair leading into the double braid. WONDERFUL job!

[@jntvstp]

@LaDollyVita33 I doubt you will ever see a romantic lead with decayed and missing teeth, even though it might be historically accurate to do so. The Cleopatra we know from theater and film likely bears little resemblance to the woman herself. Cleopatra may have been queen of Egypt, but she was not egyptian. She was ethnically, culturally and intellectually Greek.

[@jntvstp]

@LaDollyVita33 Cleopatra, like her forebears, understood the power of image and place: portraits of her specifically meant for domestic consumption, such as sculptures for temples, conform to western preconceptions of “Egyptian” dress--but coin portraits, meant for circulation throughout the world, show her dressed like a greek monarch. How Cleopatra dressed in Egypt (where the marble bust I deciphered came from) and how she dressed for a political trip to Rome may have been very different.

[@oliviaclark5664]

I would love to see a modern hairdresser like bradmondo try some of these styles and maybe put their own flair on it

[@The-Growroom]

Cleopatra did not actually seduce anyone. She was likely not even very beautiful. She was an absolute genius who defeated enemies with ease through incredible strategic insight. The Roman leaders could not admit they had been defeated by a girl, and so they smeared her name by representing her as a beautiful yet vapid whore who won from men by making them so full of lust they couldn't use their full intelligence; if they had, clearly they would have won from her. I am sure she had a thing with Anthony, but she was above all one of the most intelligent - brilliant - people who ever lived, not in the first place (one of) the most beautiful.

[@nicoleyoung0511]

Antares Feren Apparently she spoke something like 10 languages. She was also one of the few Pharaohs to speak Egyptian (ie the language spoken by the common people.

[@angelabender8132]

Antares Feren She seduced and married Caesar and a a child with him Cesarion She seduced Anthony and together they did a naval battle against Rome which They lost for unknown reason of tactics She tried to seduce Octavian but he probably had her killed Her misterious suicide may have been a cover up..cesarion was strangled

[@fabianhale845]

Kleopatra never married Caesar.

[@yaaqu3]

Ninja Toe No offense, but the female pharaoh's name is correctly spelled "Hatshepsut" or "Hatchepsut". Might be useful for anyone interested in researching her, which I highly recommend.

[@NinjaToe]

@@yaaqu3 i was a bit confused about the spelling... thanks for correcting me. And yes, i am currently reading about her and how pharaoh Tutmosis tried to erase every evidence that she existed

[@xxxJeahxxx]

So beautiful! I love all of your videos, but Cleopatra has a special place in my heart. I am graduating with my degree in June and I think I might wear this hairstyle to convocation! Thank you for your videos, your work is phenomenal!

[@jntvstp]

@LaDollyVita33 The Ptolemies knew how to use propaganda, and they exploited the Egyptian people’s conservatism and fervent religiosity. They deftly utilized Egypt’s long established formulas of god/king iconography, symbolism and custom (such as brother/sister marriage) etc., to “legitimize” their claim to the throne.

[@GJeo8]

Interesting! I used to do a similar hairstyle, except I brought the braids up the back so that they hid the part, and then coiled them together at the top rather than knotting them. I used bobby pins rather than sewing. I would sometimes also add ornate adornments to the bun. Ancient hairstyles are fascinating! I really appreciate your ancient hairstyle reconstruction videos. :)

[@keyholes]

And to think I'd thought Cleopatra had that beaded bob. This is so much better!

[@meihwadeclerk3147]

That's because she was more Greek than Egyptian and by the time of her reign, Egypt had been ruled by Greeks for about 400 years. Her name means 'Power of father' for a ruff translation

[@meihwadeclerk3147]

That's because she was more Greek than Egyptian and by the time of her reign, Egypt had been ruled by Greeks for about 400 years. Her name means 'Power of father' for a ruff translation

[@TsukiakariDono]

Thank you so very much for sharing this! It is such a beautiful hairstyle, far more beautiful than I had ever imagined! I absolutely adore your videos.

[@fuzzyapplebong328]

I love these videos and the music you made for them is great!🌸✨

[@T3KnoLogiKgirL]

Thank you for sharing your passion with us!!

[@greenthumb373]

I love your videos very much, but I think you should make a distinction, which was that she's Cleopatra VII Philopator; for historical reasons. I find that so many assume that was the only Cleopatra in the Ptolemaic Dynasties because of this. I recommend "Anthony and Cleopatra" by Anthony Goldsworthy. It's a wonderful read.

[@jntvstp]

comment well taken, thanks GT373. When I do a 2nd edition I will add that info, For now, I have added the distinction to the video description. cheeers, J

[@Caralain13]

Just a quick question for clarification, aren't dutch braids and cornrows technically different braids? It was my understanding that you take from the left and right side, and add to the outside strands for a dutch braid, while in a cornrow, you take from both sides and add to the middle strand.

[@jntvstp]

An nteresting question which I can't answer! When I was in beauty school, the terms were used interchangeably. The goal is for the braid to be visible on the "outside" of the hair, i.e, so it stands out in high relief against the skull. What braiding technique you use is up to you, so long as the visual effect is the same. Cheers, J

[@LaDollyVita33]

This is so beautiful! I wish my hair was long enough to wear it like this. Gosh I just LOVE the videos you make. They're absolutely wonderful and everytime you upload one I get so excited! Have you seen HBO's show Rome? Cleopatra was shown to have a very short pixie cut, and she wore wigs on top in public. Do you think that could've been accurate?

[@genli5603]

No. Absolutely not accurate. She had long hair. The only wigs would be for Egyptian ceremonies.

[@here2watch08]

Now I understand that kind of braid!

[@GMArtemisia]

Oh my goodness. I found another massive Hair Geek. I really really want to meet you. Misia Rockte

[@youisastar3246]

The melon hairstyle look like braids but they could have been simple sections twisted back together similar to cornrows into a bun, not stitched on top of the head as you showed in the video.

[@petalpotionsart]

I love this channel so much!

[@EuSeiT]

They think it is Cleopatra's bust, but are not 100% sure.

[@jntvstp]

Blonde? I doubt it. Wigs? In her official ceremonial regalia as Egyptian monarch, likely yes (and maybe a fake beard too). Informally as a personal fashion choice? No way of knowing. If you find your source, send me the citation! Cheers, J

[@YiyiV]

Amazing! but how do they untie it??

[@psykokitty7]

Another one I do and had no idea of its historical significance.

[@jntvstp]

Thanks so much! and congratulation on you upcoming degree! best regards, J

[@jntvstp]

@LaDollyVita33 follow the thread downward :) I confess I have not seen the HBO series “Rome”. You ask a fascinating question though. Historical accuracy in film is nearly impossible because, consciously or not, costume designers incorporate contemporary esthetics and materials into their final designs (e.g., in 1960’s film, Cleopatra wore white lipstick not henna). Designers also respect modern taboos so as not to risk “turning off” the audience in pursuit of total accuracy.

[@ladycroftbayonetta7908]

all the hairstyles you showing are incredible could you do one hairstyle of Empress Sissy

[@jntvstp]

Sorry you are having challenges! If your hair is in good condition, silky straight and bluntly cut, it may be too elastic, short and bulky to stay in the knot. All of these styles need considerable length; you may need to grow some more. Have you tried it on damp hair? Water makes hair more pliable and it dries into pretty waves. Or you could set the ends of the braids in tight curl to make them more "grabby". good luck!

[@ladycroftbayonetta7908]

soon enough i will have the appropriate length

[@LadyMerilu]

Questi video dovrebbero essere tradotti in Italiano per dare modo a chi non conosce L'INGLESE di capire ciò che viene detto. Sono molto interessanti per capire anche la Storia del nostro CRISTIANESIMO molto vicino alla Nascita di GESÙ e ai tempi della Regina CLEOPATRA che con molta probabilità è in qualche modo legata ala nascita della Madre terrena del Signore GESÙ !!!!!. Grazie per la gentile collaborazione a questa richiesta.

[@darciemerriweather1206]

Cleopatra wore wigs

[@whippetgirl123]

Is it possible to depict this on naturally curly hair? considering that's the hair type she seems to have had, I think it might help with depicting this more accurately

[@whippetgirl123]

Also, just speculation of course but I'm wondering if using woolen thread is also historically accurate? Did the ancient egyptians keep sheep or trade for wool thread? :O (genuinely curious tbh!)

[@NinjaToe]

Curls were common in Egypt, and it was very desirable throughout the Western part of the world upto late early 20th c.

[@whippetgirl123]

Thank you for the info :D I'll do a little more research because I didn't know any of that. That's super cool!

[@youisastar3246]

Rina! She had curly hair like most of the Ptolemies.

[@romiosnl]

It is not an Egyptian hairstyle but a Geek one. Cleopatra was not Egyptian.

[@youisastar3246]

That bust is not of Cleopatra's. That is a Levantine woman resembling Cleopatra. Cleopatra's melon hairstyle became very popular during her time and many Roman women copied it as well as in other parts of the world. What the woman in the bust lacks is Cleopatra's royal diadem.

[@XenusMama]

It was done in Rome where a foreign power could not wear a crown/diadem.

[@kevindanner2090]

Is Cleopatra related to Alexander the Great

[@RafaelRabinovich]

She was a direct descendant of Ptolemy Soter, a general under Alexander who, upon the latter's death, inherited the Egyptian and near East part of the Empire.

[@Khangel]

I believe the front and sides of her style looks more like what Black women call “flat twists”. Cleopatra would have had access to black hairdressers.

[@genli5603]

There were few subsaharan people in Egypt then and no need to resort to foreign hairdressers for a Greco-Roman style.

[@scouttyra]

It's very possible that that's the case, but since it's a statue it can be difficult to be certain. Unfortunately we are unable to ask her ourselves.

[@ЛидияСавская]

плохие раньше были скульпторы не умели утонченно показать красоту

[@BADRUBULDURA]

🙂🙂🙂

[@QueenWaterLily]

Hey I've read somehwere that Cleopatra was actually blonde haired and she mainly wore wigs is that true?

[@genli5603]

Very few blonde Greeks. That would be extremely unlikely.

[@MsAngelique]

The fact that the Japanese seem to be the only modern country to make these types of scissors nowadays amuses me. (If that statement is incorrect, I apologize). I wonder why most other countries don't seem to make these cute old fashioned scissors?

[@klener0keks]

Tinyfată because it's not very sercurity I think so

[@achanwahn]

These types of sheers are still produced. You can get them in crafting stores.

[@Skadi609]

Tinyfată They're still sold in flea markets. I have one for sewing 😀.

[@themurrrr]

Plus they are not made specifically for righthanded people! 😃

[@topaznora2055]

Lmao y'all clearly look at the statues black textured hair with coils and all!! even the spacing of the braids is the same when modern black women do their hair like this, just to say "curly hair helps" lmao. That white doll with the imitation of the natural black hair looks 💀.

[@crinna]

It's easier to see what she does with the knots, on light colored hair for demonstrative purposes. That and Greeks/Romans/Persians also have textured curly hair that can range from black to fair. These hairstyles would absolutely work well on 3 and 4 texture level hair

[@fabianhale845]

That’s not a black hairstyle. It’s Greco Roman. Learn about the Ptolemaic dynasty.

[@menekselalehanmeli4199]

Kleopatrayken ne kadar çirkinmişim la 😂😂😂😂

[@SoulAngelBeauty]

Is it possible to give credit to the original egyptians? This cleopatra you speak of was inspired by an African culture that introduced braiding and fashion to the greek. I kindly ask that anyone looking at this video research the truth. This is not the texture hair of the Ancient Egyptians. It is not my intention to offend anyone reading my response. The most hurtful thing anyone can do is ignore the fact the cleopatra you speak of destroyed & conquered. There is nothing beautiful about that.

[@gabrielakasten809]

Allison John ??

[@sophiejones7727]

It is definitely not true that the Greeks were ignorant of braiding before they came to Africa. They certainly had contact with other people who used braids long before they came to Africa, even if they chose not to use them often themselves. She said it was "Ancient Egyptian hairstyling". That would be because the Cleopatra being depicted here lived four hundred years, and many marriages to Egyptian women, after the original Ptolemy. At that point, calling her Greek would be a bit silly. From the statue, she seems to have had quite thick hair, possibly tightly curled as is typical of Africans. For reasons I'm not sure of, Janet did not chose to make the style on a mannequin with that hair texture (maybe she was trying for a compromise?)

[@achanwahn]

Sorry, but Africans didn't introduce braiding. Most cultures figured out how to twist or plait hair into different styles. Also, by this point in history, Egypt was ruled by a Greek dynasty in an empire that was multicultural & multi-ethnic (or in modern slang, multi-racial).

[@ladythalia227]

@@sophiejones7727 Thick hair or not, Cleopatra was ethnically Macedonian/Hellenistic on all sides. Their family tree is easily traceable with Greek names all around, as well as incestuous. So while Egyprian in name, they were definitely genetically Greek. Further proof of this is that their dynasty refused to speak or write in Egyptian and continued to communicate in greek throughout their rule, but I digress. She is unlikely to have had coiled hair. Also, please remember that Egyptian women of her class and time period shaved their heads and wore wigs. The hair you are seeing on the busts would most likely be wigs made from other people's hair, not the hair she was born with. Wigs were made from the curly wool of sheep, slaves and prisoners of war, many of them from African countries, no doubt.

[@sophiejones7727]

@@ladythalia227 point one. /sigh. no, the Ptolemies after Ptolemy I all had Egyptian wives. Cleopatra was almost two hundred years out from Ptolemy I. She was as much Egyptian as Macedonian, ethnically speaking. point two. That was the tradition before the Ptolemies arrived. Hellenism encouraged celebrating one's natural body, including natural hair. Or at least, giving the illusion of such. If she wore wigs or extensions, she would likely have taken care to make them as close to her natural texture as possible. She had the money to either invest heavily in keeping her natural hair, or to buy anyone else's. Her choices therefore, say a lot about her.

[@sirenlyfox]

Not only is that a terrible hairstyle but it would cause hair loss at the crown.

[@harlemhottie1377]

I'm confused because the hairstyle you created, lovely though it may be, looks nothing like the sculpture. For example, the hairstyle in the sculpture looks like several cornrows going back from the hairline. That's how you render cornrows in stone.

[@bustedkeaton]

im not so sure. you can see on the back that the braids are clearly braids, so why would the cornrows just look like waves instead of braids? you can see in profile the waves she made by augmenting the braid

[@achanwahn]

Honey Bee I was wondering the same, but the thing w/ artistry is they take liberties. This could have been a student's work. Honestly, for the time, it's pretty basic. So he could have just simplified his process.