Gyaru makeup tutorial

by Sharnea Morris

Japanese style: Gyaru is a huge uproar of girly-glam style, breaking all the rules of "what's pretty" and dwelling in a party of man-made beauty. Hop in a baby pink bubble and explore the world of Gyaru makeup and fashion.

Gyaru is almost as popular as our dear GothLoli, originating around the late 70's/early 80's from a brand of jeans called "Gal" which evolved into a variety of Gyarus. It all started with the Yamanba, a highly contrasted look that rebelled against Japanese society's ideal of beauty. It was severely criticized and seen as a mockery of everyone from black people to California girls.

Literally meaning "mountain hag," the Yamanba look consisted of deeply tanned skin, extreme white eye shadow and a vast array of unnatural coloured hair and bright clothing. Then came the Ganguros and the Manbas, which later died out and now we are circled by Hime-gyaru, Ko-gyaru and Onee-gyaru.

Who wears the Gyaru look today

Despite how it's still slightly looked down upon (like any other alternative style), it's thriving amongst girls in their teens to their early twenties. Many Japanese singers adopt the look, especially Namie Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki, who are both considered to give the Gyaru style its true glory. Gyaru makeup can be gently incorporated into one's own style, or taken to a rather excitingly grotesque extreme.

Get the Gyaru fashion look

So, are you convinced? Willing to play with tanned skin and false eyelashes? Say no more. I will give you the most basic and simple way of constructing the Gyaru look.

Gyaru hairstyle tips

Besides the makeup, the most common hair colours are anywhere from light blonde to a caramel hue.

Hair extensions are common, and big hair is essential for some styles. Teasing is encouraged.

However, many Gyarus (I've incorporated some Gyaru elements to my Romantic Goth style) keep their hair dark.

Gyaru makeup tutorial

Artifice is the name of the game, so self-tanner and bronzer are your friends. This is optional.

Your foundation needs to be at least two shades darker than your skin tone. If you are already naturally tan, you may skip this step if you like. Once again, totally optional. Pale is back in.

Circle contact lenses are a VERY big trend, as they are designed to make the iris look bigger, whatever the colour, and give your gorgeously rabbity little eyes a dolly-eyed appearance.

Black eyeliner is a must. Actually, we've yet to find a fashion style, japanese or otherwise, which doesn't recommend the use of eyeliner.

Nude lipstick/lip gloss is preferred as you will be blending the lips in with the rest of your face, not highlighting them.

When it comes to eyeshadow you can choose anything, but the gyaru look mostly depends on white , taupe and dark brown/black eye shadow; shimmer is useful because it widens the eyes even more.

How to apply Gyaru makeup

Put the circle lenses in before putting on any makeup... You'll thank me later.

1. Apply the foundation and tanner like how you'd normally (or previously, if this becomes your signature look) apply it. The focus is the eyes, so be sure to cover your lips to get the absence of colour.

2. Apply the lightest eye shadow you're using all over the eyelid and inner corners. Apply the other colours on the lid only, with the darkest colour right above the lashline.

3. Line the upper lid with eyeliner. On the bottom, line the waterline, but thicken it on the outer half of the eye underneath, so you look awake.

4. At this point, you apply the false lashes, on the bottom AND the top. This is where I draw the line, because I suck with false lashes. Stupid curly lashes.

5. Apply nude lip gloss and you're done!

Gyaru eye makeup video tutorial

Disclaimer: You may be mistaken for a walking Barbie. Ignore this, it's common.

BONUS: If you REALLY want to dig deeper and you already have a grip on Japanese, look up Gyaru-moji ('gal characters'), a whole slew of slang exclusive to Gyarus that's based on text messages and mobile culture.

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Mookychick believes that climbing trees and riding giant turtles is more fun and girly than worrying about make-up. But if you want to worry about make-up instead of turtles? Fine by us. Be you feminist, kitten, punk, emo, indie, goth, witch, vegan, horror junky, intellectual, christian goth, corset queen, geek, unicorn, sea monkey... be you into alternative style, alternative health, spirituality, comics, manga, j-pop, harajuku or jock culture... we will always love you.