Beginner's Guide

Article

Welcome to the Gyaru Wiki beginner's guide to Gyaru! Feel free to use this as a starting point for getting into the subculture and learning about the various styles, as well as finding resources for extra help.

About Gyaru

For more information into the history and development of gyaru, visit the history page.

Gyaru (ギャル) is Japanese subculture, which peaked in popularity around the 1990s to the 2010s. "Gyaru" encompasses many different fashion and makeup styles, with different gyaru substyles.

The gyaru style and gyaru life focuses heavily on trendy fashion, makeup, hairstyles, nails, Para Para dancing and social circles. Gyaru focuses on a fun and positive attitude to life and living freely without fear of judgement.

Gyaru developed throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, inspired by popular musicians, celebrities and popular trends at the time; the style can also be traced back to acts of rebellion against traditional styles for Japanese women. Gyaru were often given a negative image and were seen as dirty, vulgar and rude. Despite this negative association, gyaru embodies positivity, self-confidence and community.

Many styles of gyaru rose and fell in popularity throughout the years, and many styles are no longer worn by the gyaru community.

Styles

Disclaimer: There are many substyles of gyaru, this list is not complete. For more styles, see the sub-style section.

Agejo

It is generally worn by, but is not exclusively limited to a hostess. The style is very glamourous and feminine, influenced by expressing a high level of sex appeal through the style and attitude.

Amekaji

It is bright, colourful and inspired by the fictionized stereotypical idea of America. The style is very comfortable and casual, and has been noted to be particularly forgiving to Gyaru of all shapes and sizes as loose fitting clothing is appropriate.

Ganguro

It is a broad substyle of gyaru. It features bright colours, heavy tanning and heavy makeup, and stickers on the face. The term Ganguro is not often used today, the style inspired several sub-style offshoots, such as Yamanba, Manba and Banba.

Gyaruo

The term used for the male counterpart of Gyaru. Just like female gyaru, Gyaruo have just as many substyles which fall under an equivalent of each female style of gyaru.

Hime

The focus of this style is very much being cute and innocent, creating the 'princess' element of the style. There are a lot of soft colours, as well as big hair and very decorative nails and accessories.

Himekaji

It is the casual alternative to Hime and a style that requires less upkeep. The style itself is very similar to that of Roma Gyaru but has its own key differences, including more lace and pink being the most consistent colour used in co-ords.

Kogal

Refers to gyaru who are still students and utilize their school uniforms as part of their style. They are generally younger than most Gyaru and relates mostly to young girls in high school. Kogals are a major part of Gyaru and were the originator of many modern Gyaru styles.

Kuro

Kuro Gyaru means 'Black-skinned girls' which originates from the dark tans worn by Kuro Gyaru. The style has graduated from the original Ganguro style and is considered one of the more prominent modern gyaru styles.

Onee

Has a focus on brands and brand-names, and is a style regarded for gyaru with a lot of disposable income and a passion for flaunting labels. Similar to Agejo in as much as they are both sexier, more mature gyaru styles. However, onee does not have such a heavy focus on sex appeal, nor does it have lingerie on show.

Rokku

This is one of the gyaru styles that does not require a tan, and is noticeably different from the standard styles of gyaru for the dramatic change in colour scheme, opting for blacks and dark colours over loud bright prints.

Yamanba

Old school Yamanba featured dark tans and white lipstick, pastel eye make-up, tiny metallic or glittery adhesives below the eyes, brightly colored circle lenses, plastic day glow-colored clothing, and incongruous accessories, such as Hawaiian leis

Media

For inspiration on styling, makeup looks and gyaru lifestyle tips, look towards Japanese magazine scans online or gyaru blogs. Pinterest is a great starting point for saving styles that you like; study these images for what makes these styles successful as a gyaru look.

Magazine scans from popular publications such as Ageha Magazine, Cawaii! Magazine, Egg Magazine and Ranzuki Magazine are available online and can be found through various blogs and accounts within the gaijin gyaru community.

Para Para is a large part of gyaru history, and dance tutorials are available from the tutorials page, as well as hundreds of routines available on YouTube.

Tutorials

For videos and tutorials, see the tutorials page.

Resources

For more help, see the resources section.

A special thank you to Hello Lizzie Bee for the help on this guide!

Below are additional links and resources for tips, FAQs, makeup tutorials and gyaru history lessons. Spend time learning from members of the community and practice developing your own style! Most importantly, GET WILD & BE SEXY!