Gyaru Culture & History

What is Gyaru?

Gyaru means gal in english. It is a Japanese subculture that came up in the 1990's. Girls wanted a new way to feel empowered and confident and they started dyeing their hair, tanning, and wearing more makeup. While this is rebelling gyaru was NOT made to rebel. Namie Amuro is one of the people who inspired gyaru. For a more in depth full history please visit and read Gal Revo's history page here Gal Revo .

Can I Be Gyaru if...?

The answer is yes unless it is you don't want to wear makeup. While certain substyles REQUIRE tanning and bleaching hair not all styles do. But repeatitve "Can I be gyaru if" questions can be answered with a google search.

Gyaru Vocabulary

Kuro: Means black or dark; used to describe tanned gyaru substyles.

Shiro: Means white or pale; used to describe non-tanned gyaru substyles.

Heisei (平成): The Japanese imperial era (1989–2019) representing the "golden age" of gyaru fashion.

Reiwa (令和): The current Japanese imperial era (starting 2019) representing any of the makeup and gyaru fashion from 2019 to current day.

Namidabukuro: Refers to the "tear bags" or under eye fat. It is mostly known as a aegyo sal in makeup communites.

Tareme: Refers to droopy, downturned eyes and how the eyeliner is placed in gyaru makeup.

Coords: Short for coordinate means a matching set or outfit.

Gaijin: Gaijin Gyaru (foreigner gal) is a term used for Gyaru which do not reside in Japan.

Parapara

Para Para (パラパラ?, "Para-Para" or "ParaPara") is a synchronized dance that originated in Japan. Para Para as a dance is also strongly associated with Gyaru and the Gyaru lifestyle. You do not have to do parapara to be gyaru.