Review: Hayate’s Hair Lab

May 25th, 2007 at 05:38pm Ryan Darragh

Just this week I was given a landmark  to Hayate’s Hair Lab (H2L), brain-child of designer Hayate Ewing.  (Thanks to Vasean for the tip!)  Hayate is creating some amazing hair designs, and I felt compelled to share a couple with you.  The style you see here is a new design called “Kira.  This is a beautiful, anime-inspired style.  In spite of the clear anime influences, my first thought was, “Oh, it’s very Duran Duran,” and amazingly enough that was the first comment I heard, too.  So it’s not just me!

If John Taylor and Nick Rhodes come to SL to recreate Eighties-era Duran Duran, they’ll fight over who gets to wear this hair.  It’s so highly styled, you can almost smell the mousse…ah, good times. 

“Kira” features carefully upswept long hair strands, with some flexi sections at sides and back for life and movement.  The striking highlights are clearly the work of an expensive professional stylist, and not just the result of too much time spent in the sun.  And we know there is a difference.

Also available is “Shun,” a classic shaggy “wolf” style.   I love the casually controlled messiness, and Hayate’s hair textures are absolute knockouts.  I’d have been sorely tempted to buy out the whole store but for the fact that–unlike these two men’s styles, which are arguably quite successfully unisexy–all the other styles were for women and distinctly feminine.

In the back you’ll find long strands of hair that curl and flip, not unlike mine does in RL when it gets anywhere near this long.  Strands and tendrils also fall down over the ears and forehead, framing the face gracefully and naturally.  I’m a big fan of shaggy styles like this, and “Shun” is I think the best interpretation I’ve seen.

Permissions are copy / mod / no transfer, typical for hair.  Three sizes are included, and of course the hair is moddable, but Large fits me perfectly with no modifications required–I think this may be a first!

Both styles come in 19 colors, including a range of natural shades as well as brighter, more stylized anime tones, which would be perfect for fantasy roleplay or kicking off a punk revival.  Priced at L$200 for single colors.  Also available in a pack containing all 19 colors for L$2200.  Free demos (available in the shop) include both style and color demos.  This is amazingly helpful, and I wouldn’t mind seeing this practice become more widespread.

Information notecards are thoughtfully provided in both English and Japanese.

Available at Hayate’s Hair Lab (Harajuku 117, 90, 22).

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: No | Friends List: No

Notes: On Ryan: "Antonio" (Pale) skin by Funk Schnook (FNKY!). Capoeira Pants and Men's Ribbed Tank Top by Shai Delacroix (Casa Del Shai). His Prayer Rosary by Lucas Lameth (Earthtones Boutqiue).

Entry Filed under: Casual, Designer Reviews, Fantasy, Hair, Hayate's Hair Lab, New Items