5 Minutes With: Syd Hayes
5 MINUTES WITH: SYD HAYES
Interviewed By: Nateisha Scott
Interviewed By: Nateisha Scott
One of fashion’s newest talents on the block, Syd Hayes has already worked with some of the leading photographers in the industry. With his work appearing in British Vogue, Vogue Italia, i-D and Love as well as working with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Givenchy and Loewe. A key player in the hair styling industry, Syd Hayes shares his styling secrets.
NS: What products are you currently obsessed with?
SH: I’m currently obsessed with hair brands that work with the environment, I’m changing the way I work and focusing on working with brands that are eco friendly and also sustainable – Brands like Fekkai, Aveda and Mari Nila are very interesting to me right now. I’m also always helping to push boundaries at BaByliss as I work closely with them as their Ambassador.
NS: Your trustee in-flight essentials?
SH: For me skincare is important, as your scalp is also your skin, I’m enjoying 111SKIN and my favourite has to be Celestial Black Diamond Emulsion.
NS: What inspires the looks you create?
SH: People inspire me – Everyone / All types of people from all backgrounds and Eras.
I’m inspired every day! That’s what keeps me buzzing!
NS: Tips for different hair types?
SH: Where do we start! A key tip for me would be start at the beginning, your scalp like your skin is so important and during lockdown I found an incredible new scalp oil which helps with all hair growth and hair types – It’s called MFlorens
NS: A product you would take on a desert island?
SH: I think it would have to be my Maria Nila – Minerals Clay Wax, it’s super eco-friendly and keeps me looking fresh!
NS: Your backstage hair secrets?
SH: Keep Calm – Keep it fun – Keep it real and always keep the brand new Babyliss 9000 hair straighter with me – As they're completely cordless and will last for 30 mins on full power!
NS: Favourite styles to create?
SH: BIG HAIR – Who doesn’t love BIG & BOLD
NS: Number 1 rule for hair styling?
SH: Keep it simple! Simplicity and sophistication work so well together.
NS: Number 1 rule for looking after your hair?
SH: Don’t overuse high heat on your hair! Make sure you use a product to protect your hair, e.g. apply the Aveda Damage Remedy before drying.
NS: Now without too much thought, do you go prefer minimal & natural or polished?
SH: Natural and free hair or at least so it looks that way.
NS: Up do’s or down?
SH: Both, depending on the event, consultation is often the fun part!
NS: Straight or wavy?
SH: I do like creating different texture, so I’ll have to go wavy for this one.
NS: Favourite hairstyle to re-create?
SH: I love the beehive as there are so many takes on it. You can go modern or classic and you can create such different looks with the same foundations.
NS: An iconic style to have its ‘moment’ again?
SH: Vidal Sassoon Iconic Bobs! What else!
NS: Working with Luxury or affordable product?
SH: I’m a man who always seeks for the best – So for me it has to be Luxury – I’m lucky enough to work with some of the best brands in the world!
Shop mask
One of fashion’s newest talents on the block, Syd Hayes has already worked with some of the leading photographers in the industry. With his work appearing in British Vogue, Vogue Italia, i-D and Love as well as working with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Givenchy and Loewe. A key player in the hair styling industry, Syd Hayes shares his styling secrets.
NS: What products are you currently obsessed with?
SH: I’m currently obsessed with hair brands that work with the environment, I’m changing the way I work and focusing on working with brands that are eco friendly and also sustainable – Brands like Fekkai, Aveda and Mari Nila are very interesting to me right now. I’m also always helping to push boundaries at BaByliss as I work closely with them as their Ambassador.
NS: Your trustee in-flight essentials?
SH: For me skincare is important, as your scalp is also your skin, I’m enjoying 111SKIN and my favourite has to be Celestial Black Diamond Emulsion.
NS: What inspires the looks you create?
SH: People inspire me – Everyone / All types of people from all backgrounds and Eras.
I’m inspired every day! That’s what keeps me buzzing!
NS: Tips for different hair types?
SH: Where do we start! A key tip for me would be start at the beginning, your scalp like your skin is so important and during lockdown I found an incredible new scalp oil which helps with all hair growth and hair types – It’s called MFlorens
NS: A product you would take on a desert island?
SH: I think it would have to be my Maria Nila – Minerals Clay Wax, it’s super eco-friendly and keeps me looking fresh!
NS: Your backstage hair secrets?
SH: Keep Calm – Keep it fun – Keep it real and always keep the brand new Babyliss 9000 hair straighter with me – As they're completely cordless and will last for 30 mins on full power!
NS: Favourite styles to create?
SH: BIG HAIR – Who doesn’t love BIG & BOLD
NS: Number 1 rule for hair styling?
SH: Keep it simple! Simplicity and sophistication work so well together.
NS: Number 1 rule for looking after your hair?
SH: Don’t overuse high heat on your hair! Make sure you use a product to protect your hair, e.g. apply the Aveda Damage Remedy before drying.
NS: Now without too much thought, do you go prefer minimal & natural or polished?
SH: Natural and free hair or at least so it looks that way.
NS: Up do’s or down?
SH: Both, depending on the event, consultation is often the fun part!
NS: Straight or wavy?
SH: I do like creating different texture, so I’ll have to go wavy for this one.
NS: Favourite hairstyle to re-create?
SH: I love the beehive as there are so many takes on it. You can go modern or classic and you can create such different looks with the same foundations.
NS: An iconic style to have its ‘moment’ again?
SH: Vidal Sassoon Iconic Bobs! What else!
NS: Working with Luxury or affordable product?
SH: I’m a man who always seeks for the best – So for me it has to be Luxury – I’m lucky enough to work with some of the best brands in the world!
SHOP MASKs
If you were to advise a London guide, what would be on your list?
Well, As I grew up in Notting Hill, it will always have my heart and if I was recommending spots in London, a wander around Notting Hill would be high up on my list. From there it would be all the best shopping destinations, the iconic private members club, Annabels, Harrods and Liberty’s for any cute and unique gifts. I would always pop into 111CRYO at Harrods for the Cryo Facial and treatment for the ultimate recharge. Sometimes the city is great, but the beautiful secrets of the English countryside is something that should be experienced.
Your In-Flight Essentials?
I don’t have a routine per say and I am certainly not as thorough as Naomi Campbell but I would apply the Meso Infusion Lip Duo and I would always wipe my phone down with anti-bacterial wipes, in fact I do this every day, the bacteria build up is no good for the skin.
In terms of Industry, where do you see the hair industry going?
Well Instagram has changed so much and has impacted the way we consume and learn within the industry, especially with so many creatives, but I still find that a massive amount of people come to the professionals to share the knowledge on how to carry out or complete a desired look, more than ever there is power behind ‘how-to’ videos.
A very valid point and in terms of 2020?
In terms of what we are to see in 2020, things are going to be super creative and we will see a wider awareness for people doing their own thing and it will be expressive and artistic. People will move away from the overtly glamorous looks and will create looks they can tailor to their everyday. As it’s currently Award Season which is the busiest time of the year leading up to the Met Ball, hairstyles are certainly more elaborate, and everyone loves an up do. I would say the most timeless look has to be the blunt bob, it comes around year on year, but it is effortless and timeless.
Outside of hair, what other industries are you into?
I am hugely into Interiors and I would describe my style as 60s/70s glamour, think elaborate and dramatic but I often fantasise about 80s Dallas and Joan Collins and I have to reign myself in. I also love Baking; it is the ultimate way to relax and I find that it is my meditation and therapy. If I’m in the USA I would bake a lot of cookies as everyone is obsessed with then over here and in the UK, I would bake more traditional styles like a lemon tart or an apple tart – it allows for me to be creative outside of my job.
Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
It would have to be from my grandfather, he would often say to me “it’s not how well you’re doing but how well people think you’re doing”. I haven’t successfully implemented it however you can look to Instagram today and people see our work and are blown away by it, but we can be so hard on ourselves and not appreciate our own work ourselves.