Trend: Handset Hairstyles

Written By Michael Keferl on Friday, May 30, 2008 at 4:23 PM | In Japan, Lifestyle, Technology

Free cellphone-based makeovers target young female mobile users in Japan.

More signs indicate that virtual makeovers—using real photographic images—are on the verge of becoming a major trend. Last week we reported on Awaseba, the new PC-based virtual fitting room for online shops, now this week So-Net entertainment is launching a mobile-based site called “Hair Style,” that allows users to virtually try on new hairstyles.

With this free service users simply choose a hairstyle from the modeled looks, take their own portrait photo with their mobile phone camera, and enter it into the system to receive a version of the photo modified with the new look.

The service also includes news on the latest fashionable hairstyles plus a directory of salons that specialize in each of the looks.

Considering that teenage girls and young women are already glued to their mobile phones (and feel no shame taking pictures of themselves on the train) we expect this site to be a hit.

Of course the CScout Japan office couldn’t resist testing the service.

Surely a modeling contract is in the wind for two of these three beauties?

Note from Michael: Besides the obvious five o’clock shadow, I think I pull it off pretty well!

For the original post and the latest reviews on other Japanese trends please visit our CScout Japan blog.