Was driving with my grandmother and in broken English she says “no eyes… no nose… no face. Don’t trust.” To which I looked around wildly in search of this omen of ill portend.
[image description: pixel art of the house from piranesi. it has a marble hallway with a central staircase, surrounded by statues, and is half flooded. piranesi himself sits on the staircase, fishing. end description.]
hai :3 this little post is to learn about the origins of gyaru and what the basics used to be. I'll soon make the posts about the styles, detailing what each one consists of. enjoy! ↓
Gyaru emerged in the 1980s as bold young women who defied Japan’s traditional beauty standards. Inspired by Western fashion, they began dyeing their hair and wearing striking makeup, challenging conventional aesthetic ideals. Over time, Gyaru transformed from a simple urban trend into a solid subculture with its own unique identity, encompassing both aesthetics and lifestyle.
Although it faced a decline, its recent revival, fueled by social media and the rise of alternative fashion and subcultures during the pandemic due to excess free time, has reignited interest, attracting both new followers and veteran members who have embraced the movement once again. Gyaru is the most commonly used term but "Gyal" and "Gal" are also valid, all of them meaning: girl/girls.
There used to be different ways to classify gyaru: Age, skin tone and way of dressing.
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Age
Ko-Gyaru (School Girl Gyaru): Originally, this term referred to girls still attending school who embraced the gyaru style. Over time, as kogyaru became known for their unique twist on school uniforms, the term expanded to include any gyaru dressed in this fashion.
SutoGyaru (Forever Gyaru): This described adult women or school graduates who continued following the gyaru style. Over time, the term "Suto-Gyaru" fell out of use.
Skin tone
Ganjiro or Shirogyaru: The term "Ganjiro" translates to "white face" or "bare face" and was used to describe girls who either could not or chose not to tan their skin in solariums, maintaining their natural tone. Their style was simple, with less exaggerated clothing and makeup. Today, the term "Shirogyaru" (where "Shiro" 白 means "white") is more common. It refers to gyaru who wear simpler makeup and clothing. Notably, this term was also used in the past, but "Ganjiro" was more popular at the time.
Ganguro: This term derives from "gan" (顔), meaning "face," and "kuro" (黒), meaning "black." It described girls who frequently visited tanning salons, achieving a deep tan but not to an extreme level. Ganguro style is marked by intense tans, blonde or bleached hair, white makeup on the eyes and lips, and bold, sensual outfits that were unconventional at the time. Kuro Gyaru: The word "kuro" (黒) translates to "black" in Japanese. Previously, this term referred to a gyaru fashion style characterized by a darker, bolder appearance compared to other gyaru styles.
Manba/Yamanba: Today, it contrasts with "Shirogyaru," describing girls who aim for deeply tanned skin, vibrant clothing, striking hairstyles, and dramatic makeup. These gyaru often enhance their look with white eye makeup, darker foundation, stickers, white lips, and brightly colored hair adorned with floral accessories.
My go- to super simple and low maintenance gal makeup inspo for every day (heavy on mascara-only looks for gals who don’t like falsies) (note: these styles tends to look best on rounded almond eye shapes, but it can be adjusted!)
turnnoffyourmind
germansingergirl
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blakekathryn
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