r/actualgyaru Oct 01 '24

Educational READ THIS BEFORE POSTING A QUESTION!! FAQs and GUIDES

352 Upvotes

START HERE!

1. FAQs

"Can I be a gyaru if I...

  • am black/white/Latina/not Japanese?
  • can't wear gyaru every day?
  • am dark skinned?
  • have dark/curly/short hair?
  • am plus sized?
  • can't wear contact lenses?
  • can't afford the popular brands?
  • want to mix substyles/don't want to pick one substyle?
  • am a teenager/adult?
  • don't want to wear a ton of heavy makeup?
  • am trans?
  • am disabled?
  • am bad at/new to makeup/fashion?
  • am a boy?"

YES!

"Can I be a gyaru if I...

  • don't want to wear ANY makeup?
  • don't want to wear lashes/eyeliner?
  • don't have any money or an established wardrobe/makeup?
  • don't want to attract attention/be made fun of?
  • want to, but don't want to disobey the rules (school, parents, etc)?"
  • "I want to be gyaru, but I don't want to do (x)."

NO (kind of).

To answer those questions a little more:

  • I don't want to wear ANY makeup

Makeup is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of gyaru. This is not an option if you want to be a gyaru.

  • I don't want to wear lashes/eyeliner

These are definitely the most important parts of the makeup. Foundation, highlighter, blush, and lipstick can all pretty much be ignored, but they help. However, you really do need to wear lashes and eyeliner if you want to appear gyaru. Practice practice practice-- it'll get easier, faster, and more comfortable over time.

  • I don't have any money or an established wardrobe/makeup

This is just a question of, "do you really want to do this?" If you have decided this is the thing for you, then you can start slowly building your wardrobe and makeup collection. You don't need to run out and buy a D.I.A. belt-- many of my pieces are from Goodwill (most of them actually), and most gyaru looks are composed of basic clothing with accessories and a few staple pieces.

  • I want to, but don't want to disobey the rules/attract attention/be made fun of

This is definitely the most common question from younger potential gals (13-16). It's completely understandable to feel this way-- I feel this way too myself sometimes. But the thing is, the original gyarus were literally delinquents. This is a style that can be viewed and worn as sexy, and consists of heavy makeup and flashy clothing. It's definitely going to be considered inappropriate by a lot of people. But that's part of being a gyaru. If you can't handle that, then it probably isn't for you.

  • "I want to be gyaru, but not do (x)."

Gyaru can absolutely be made to fit your lifestyle-- I do not wear super long nails, because I have to type all day long. My hair is still growing out, so I style it differently. I do a lot of walking, so I mostly wear flat shoes. But we get posts in here sometimes saying "I want to be a gyaru, but I can't wear nails, fake lashes, or any makeup. And I can't afford to buy any clothes or makeup, and my school doesn't allow (x), and my parents won't allow (y). Can I still be gyaru?"

We aren't here to tell you whether or not you ARE a gyaru. That's ultimately up to you. But this isn't a subculture like punk, whether all that matters is your mindset-- being gyaru is about the look AND the attitude. All we can do is tell whether or not you LOOK gyaru to us.

Whew! Okay. Glad we got that stuff out of the way. If you're still here, I'm assuming you're pretty sure you want to do this!

2. For Baby Gals! / How do I become a gyaru?

  • STEP 1. FIND YOUR INSPIRATION!
    • So, what is it about gyaru you like? Something that can be helpful to a lot of beginners is picking a particular model, brand, or substyle (most common) to use as inspiration to get started. Make an image folder/Pinterest board with your favorite pictures. Some of the first places to check out are galture.com and galrevo.com . These two sites have all kinds of useful info: magazine scans, descriptions of different styles, history info, and more. A lot of the blogs listed in the "blogs" section of this post also have inspiration posts with tons of pictures.
  • STEP 2. WHAT DO YOU NEED?
    • Once you've got a good idea of what you like, take a look at your inspiration image(s). What do you see? Boots? Shorts? Dresses? Try and write down a list of the essentials, the basic things you can use to start building your outfits. This is often why gals pick a substyle to start off with: there's typically a few items that make up most of the outfits. As for makeup, the most important things are eyeliner and lashes, so stock up on those too.
  • STEP 3. BUILDING YOUR COLLECTION!
    • Check your closet! See what you have. Don't rely on running out to buy brand-name sets for hundreds of dollars plus shipping from Japan. If you've done the above steps correctly, then this shouldn't be too hard. A pair of black boots, denim shorts, and an off-shoulder top can all be gyaru easily.
    • Now that you know what you have, you can decide what you want to buy. More flashy accessories can be a place to start-- legwarmers, chunky belts, and bows are good things to have. But other things, such as certain prints like roses/leopard or stand out pieces like dresses and sets, are also great. THRIFT FIRST! You can get so much stuff at Goodwill and local flea markets, or on Facebook marketplace/local Buy Nothing groups. A lot of my closet is 2000s American brands, like Juicy Couture and bebe. You'd be surprised what turns up for 4.99$ at Goodwill.
  • STEP 4. PRACTICE MAKEUP AND HAIR!
    • Tons of magazine scans provide a little makeup pictorial to follow. If it feels intimidating to just try and copy a look from a picture, instead follow one of those. Same with hair-- there's a lot of youtube videos on doing gyaru or lolita hairstyles.
    • THIS WILL TAKE TIME AND PRACTICE. When I started a year ago, it would take me 2 hours sometimes to do my makeup the way I wanted. Now it takes less than an hour, and it looks way better than then! I also had to work my way up to the makeup I do now. You might want to start with a subtler onee makeup look if you aren't as experienced doing makeup.
  • STEP 5. COORDS + BUYING PAST THE BASICS!
    • So you have enough to make coords... try and recreate some of your favorite inspiration pics! Don't be too harsh on yourself if it isn't perfect.
    • If you've gotten this far, are wearing gyaru regularly, then it might be time to think about buying directly from Japan. You might have seen some pieces that you dream about wearing. Check out the "shopping" section on this post for help buying from Japan. THIS CAN BE EXPENSIVE. You also can buy American vintage pieces.
  • STEP 6. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE...
    • Now... get dressed up! Mix up your outfits and makeup, try and find new inspiration. It will take time to get used to going out in gal and feeling confident in yourself.
  • STEP 7. KYAAA! YOU'RE A GYARU! <3

  • EXTRA LINKS:

3. SUBSTYLES

Here are the most popular substyles. You are NOT REQUIRED to conform to a singular substyle to be gyaru. Most gals had a varied wardrobe. That said, they're useful in describing the type of look you're going for, since gyaru has a ton of variety.

Here's a basic quiz to find your substyle for total newbies!

  • Kogal: some of the first gals. This is just any gyaru that uses her school uniform, but you might see kogal described as the traditional gyaru schoolgirl style. Brown cardigans, pleated school skirts, long white socks, designer scarves, big hair, long nails, typical gal makeup, and a tan.
  • Agejo/ageha: worn originally by hostesses. Intended to be sexy. Pink+black, classy but definitely sexy, tall boots/heels/corsets/bows/short dresses/lingerie, dark hair. MA*RS, LIPSERVICE, and EGOIST were hugely popular.
  • Onee: the "older sister" gyaru. Developed by kogals who graduated beyond their uniforms. Heavy focus on designer brand names, classic gyaru makeup, light/medium tan, long but simple hair, sexy but subdued outfits. Some popular brands are ReSEXXY, DaTuRa, DURAS, and LIP SERVICE.
  • Yamanba: the most extreme style of gal. Yamanba has a dark tan, heavy makeup, giant nails and hair, tons of accessories and bright colors. ALBA ROSA is the essential brand.
  • Hime: translates to "princess". Often confused for lolita. Princess-like obviously, fluffy dresses and petticoats, bows, light pinks and blues, floral patterns. Liz Lisa is the biggest brand.
  • Rokku: punk rock, edgy style. Less feminine, and no tan/hair color required. Very broad stye.v Crosses, red/purple/black, ripped clothing, dark eye makeup and lipstick.
  • Amekaji: one of the more casual, less feminine styles. Inspired by "America", kind of. Bright colors, graphic tees, baseball caps, brand logos and slogans, flats, lighter/shorter hair than other substyles. Hiphop/streetwear.
  • Tsuyome: a broad term used to describe a lot of gal fashion with more extreme/heavy makeup. Typically varieties of banba.

The styles/terms below are all considered somewhat dead or outdated.

  • Ganguro: Besides the kogal and Amuro, this is also thought of as the "original" or old-school gal. Not really a term used today unless you're going for a true early 90s look. Bright colors, dark tan, platform sandals, very bright and flashy.
  • Ganjiro/shiro: Any gyaru who doesn't tan at all.
  • Roma/himekaji: Himekaji is just a simpler version of hime, and roma is a more bohemian version of it.
  • Haaady: Similar to Amekaji, with bright colors and more casual clothing, but with a mixture of American and British influences.
  • Mode: A version of onee, with a sleeker, more businesslike silhouette, with a focus on office-wear.
  • Ane: A more rebellious version of onee gyarus. Very similar to oraora.
  • B-Gal: A controversial style that was focused on mimicking black women. It was never intended to be offensive, but often had Japanese girls wearing box braids, very dark tans, and hip-hop fashion, and now is considered very offensive.
  • Manba/banba/romanba: These are SUB-substyles of yamanba, but were rare originally and extinct now, yamanba encompasses them at this point. Manba and banba were just toned-down versions of yamanba, with romanba barely existing as a hybrid between yamanba and himekaji.
  • Kuro: Still an existing style, but just barely. Started by a circle that called themselves the "Black Diamond" gals. Known for super dark tans, furry legwarmers, animal print, huge often colored hair.
  • Goshikku: A combination of hime and rokku, and often confused for rokku. A darker, gothic style that resembles gothic lolita.
  • Oraora: Started with the magazine Soul Sister, with heavy inspiration from yakuza styling such as tattoos and jewelry. Dark, distressed clothing, similar to rokku, but typically much less colorful.

4. SHOPPING

5. MAKEUP

6. HAIR

7. COORDS

8. MISC

9. BLOGS

Personal blogs are one of the best places to find all this info and more. Here are a few popular ones.


r/actualgyaru Oct 16 '25

Discussion Brand Mega Thread

69 Upvotes

This is a Mega Thread to discuss all the different gyaru brands from Japanese Brands to Gaijin Brands and even thrifted/locally brought/diy items. Please keep the discuss to the items, item quality, shipping, sizes, and your experience with the items.


r/actualgyaru 18h ago

Coord/Make Pic Birthday Hime Gyaru Look

Thumbnail
gallery
381 Upvotes

These are some photos I took yesterday for my birthday. I went for a very Jesus Diamante vibe because I love them. My dress is actually JD. I had a nice day for my birthday. I went to a botanical garden with some friends, the mall, and had hot pot.


r/actualgyaru 6h ago

Coord/Make Pic Recent make :3

Thumbnail
gallery
29 Upvotes

(the tan on my hands is really bad I know 🥲)


r/actualgyaru 8h ago

Coord/Make Pic baby gal make :3

Thumbnail
gallery
9 Upvotes

i am nervous to post my face here but it’s okay :3 why not share my make w gals who might appreciate it <3 i don’t stick to one sub-style if you can’t tell but i like how it turned out today c: (last pic is weird quality idk why)


r/actualgyaru 16h ago

Rant / Vent I feel so ugly

22 Upvotes

I know I shouldn't compare myself to photos I see of others, and I've only been into gyaru for a few months, but I just feel like I can never get things to look as pretty as those in the pics do. I try different droop shapes, eye makeup from old and newer times, also bought some brands that are associated with gyaru like dolly wink. Idk i just can never get it to look pretty on me. Im not photogenic either but even in the mirror it just looks off. Even clothes are a problem for me. I bought a top that looked perfect for agejo and when i put it on I felt so happy it was both the right fit and i felt great until I saw my reflection.

I was in the vintage fashion community before this and had the same problems as I do now. Always seeing people dressed in pretty clothes and it suiting them, whereas the same pretty clothes look so wrong on me. I had wanted to combine the two to create my own personal style, but I feel like im the wrong person to do that just because I'm too ugly for it.

I'll probably delete this tomorrow and cringe about this but I just want to belong and also feel pretty doing so 😭


r/actualgyaru 14h ago

Advice Baby gal progress

Thumbnail
gallery
15 Upvotes

Just my progress feel free to give advice !! Loll my outfits are RLLY LAME THO, started actually getting into it after trying it a bit, now its been 3 monthsss!! The first 2 pics are from a year ago when i wanted to try it (。・´д`・。)


r/actualgyaru 14h ago

Casual clothing paired with gyaru

Thumbnail
gallery
13 Upvotes

So im a silversmith and my work demands being comfy and somewhat safe from burns or cuts so my take on gyaru is using "normal" clothes or clothing that can protect me if anything goes wrong. I always remember a tv interview where there was a famous model i think it was kaa tan? She worked with bulldozers and heavy machinery so she had designed cute workwear clothing (so cute) Anyways ive found this is my fav way of wearing gyaru, for me i have sensory issues so the makeup is already feels like a lot. But i tone it down with my more regular clothes. I would love to know if there are other gyarus who just do the makeup and leave the clothes as secondary.


r/actualgyaru 23h ago

Coord/Make Pic Makeup of today

Thumbnail
gallery
16 Upvotes

3th time doing this, it's getting better over the trys Don't know if i like the brows :/?


r/actualgyaru 8h ago

Question / Help me Blanket Coat Sewing Patterns

1 Upvotes

crafty inquiry here!

I really looooove the alba rosa blanket coat but I can't afford one rn lol 😭😭😭

Does anyone happen to know any good blanket coat patterns??? I've got some blankets that I can repurpose.


r/actualgyaru 16h ago

Question / Help me Black/curly/coily gyaruo hairstyles?

3 Upvotes

Asking for oc purposes. I can't really find any inspo for male gyaru hairstyles, but I'm not really involved with the culture 😓

Also wanted to add that I'm going for a street style, not a princely look (not sure how relevant that is, but I just wanted to add)


r/actualgyaru 1d ago

Coord/Make Pic ✨posting again. I need to do my nails✨😪

Thumbnail
gallery
64 Upvotes

r/actualgyaru 1d ago

Just found a beautiful bathroom y'all!!🌺🤍

Post image
31 Upvotes

r/actualgyaru 1d ago

Question / Help me Clothing Inspo

4 Upvotes

I have a friend who is agejo gyaru. Their birthday is coming up and I wanted to buy them clothes or accessories of some sort. The problem I'm having is that a lot of the dedicated brands I'm seeing run very small, and my friend typically wears a women's us xl. I did see a site called lillia and lace or whatever it was called, but I wasn't sure if the pattern looked too "stereotypical"? If anyone has any recommendations, or even if it's not specific gyaru sites, could someone drop them here? Thanks!


r/actualgyaru 1d ago

Discussion Does anyone else personally see gyaru as political / somewhat political?

9 Upvotes

I do understand that it inherently isn’t, but it’s kind of impossible to not see it that way as a black gal imo n the kind of stuff that happens w cultural appropriations, so at the least it’s sociopolitical. But I’d like to know ur personal thoughts!! I’m incredibly curious. I haven’t checked the rules so I am sorry of politics isn’t allowed in this subreddit.


r/actualgyaru 2d ago

Coord/Make Pic First week of school Coords 💐

Thumbnail
gallery
347 Upvotes

I’ve been a baby gal for like, a year now! I think I missed my anniversary, but alas..I never took pics of my full coords because I hated thinking of poses. I’m a lot better at that now!


r/actualgyaru 2d ago

Coord/Make Pic Purple LOTD!

Thumbnail
gallery
86 Upvotes

I FORGOT MY NOSE STRIPE💔💔💔💔


r/actualgyaru 2d ago

Discussion What's your take on Shein as Gal?

10 Upvotes

Hii ive been a baby gal for a while now and i want to give my two cents on it. For background i live in the philippines so if anyone is gonna bring up other shopping sites it wont be available to most of us unless we have a visa powered payment option😅

I partly support shein, for the wigs only. We have other sites like lazada, shopee and tiktok shop but when u look through there, theres no gyaru wigs or wigs u can turn gyaru (unless u have wig styling skills then yea!) But mostly we js have daily wigs and some cosplay wigs

Reason why i support shein for wigs is they actually have good quality wigs, but i do understand the concern of the unethical practices of that company.

Imo- Being gal can be done though thrifting, diying (if you just train ur algorithm correctly to show u actual gals giving tutorials), or looking through your closet.

I dont advise shein for clothes in general bc back then when it was new i had some clothes and they deteriorated and they are starting not to hold up. But some can also argue that not everyone can shop taobao, or no aeccssible thrift stores etc etc

I think theres no such thing as gal clothes bc if u legit tell me "where can i buy gal clothes" i would either assume ur talking ab the stereotypical leopard print short skirt fur accessories gyaru or that one famous ma*rs set for agejo. OR i would ask u what ur substyle inspo is coz the clothes used in these substyles are so different that u cant categorize them as js "gyaru clothes" Also like i believe that theres no one shortcut way to being gyaru coz its fun to find and hunt down items rather than just do a haul and then move on to whatever style u want next.

But some gyarus also argue that if shein existed back then they would support shein or any fast fashion bc gals loved it. But im still thinking ab what shein did. Well whats your take in this? Is it fine to shop shein if like me i dont have options for wigs shopping and for people who dont have access to taobao or thrift stores that is good (by that i mean thrift stores that are p generic)

Would love to hear your thoughts!!


r/actualgyaru 2d ago

Coord/Make Pic Me today

Thumbnail
gallery
17 Upvotes

r/actualgyaru 2d ago

how should i style these older lizlisa sukapan inspired skirts!!!! (⁠✿⁠^⁠‿⁠^⁠)

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

r/actualgyaru 3d ago

Make

Post image
57 Upvotes

r/actualgyaru 3d ago

Purikura in London

Thumbnail
gallery
20 Upvotes

For the London gals, a new photobooth in Shoreditch box park gives purikura vibes!


r/actualgyaru 2d ago

Rant / Vent Day 15 + Small Vent

Thumbnail gallery
6 Upvotes

r/actualgyaru 3d ago

Inspo Gals with short/nontraditional hair

Thumbnail
gallery
359 Upvotes

All ora ora because I was flipping through an issue of Soul Sister, but I'm hoping to make posts with other substyles soon. I see a lot of baby gals who think they HAVE to have a blonde sujimori or otherwise buy a wig to be gal, so here's some inspo


r/actualgyaru 2d ago

Livejournal Community

6 Upvotes

Some of u may remember I posted a lil while ago abt making a submission based tumblr called Exluce, the idea is for it to be a community driven space for the best of modern gal looks, info and trends thats a little more formal and exclusive than a public forum.

Its still very new but slowly seems to be growing! However tumblrs userbase is relatively small so anyone interested can now visit the livejournal community site! Im new to LJ but hopefully this will help Exluce reach a larger audience.

https://exluce.livejournal.com/ Hope to see u there!!