Gyaru (ギャル) is a Japanese youth fashion and lifestyle subculture that became a huge deal in the 1990s and 2000s. The vibe is bold, loud, playful, and a little rebellious, basically the opposite of quiet, minimalist “good girl” expectations. It is not one single look, either. Gyaru has had different waves, different sub styles, and a lot of evolution over time.
What Is A Gyaru?
A gyaru is someone who follows a fashion and beauty style that leans flashy and attention grabbing, often with heavy hair styling, strong makeup, and trendy or provocative outfits. The culture originally grew around Japanese high school and young adult fashion scenes, especially in places like Shibuya.
A simple way to think of it is this: gyaru is a look, but it is also an attitude. Confident, social, and very “I’ll do what I want.” That’s why it has stuck around. Even when the exact makeup trends change, the energy stays.
Gyaru Style: The Core Look And Attitude
Gyaru style is not subtle. The point is to stand out, and to look cute in an over the top way.
Common traits you will see across many gyaru styles include:
- Big, styled hair with volume, curls, extensions, or dyed tones like brown, blonde, honey, or ash shades
- Distinct makeup with dramatic eyes and a strong “doll like” effect
- Nails that are long, decorated, or glossy, often with charms and designs
- Outfits that look fashionable, sexy, playful, or trendy, depending on the sub style
- A confident vibe that reads extroverted, flirty, or bubbly
And yes, gyaru style can be super polished. It can also be messy in a fun way. Both versions exist.
Types Of Gyaru Styles You Might See
Gyaru has sub styles, and they can look pretty different:
Kogal
School uniform inspired outfits, loose socks, short skirts, cute accessories. This is the classic “high school gyaru” image.
Hime Gyaru
Princess gyaru. Lots of lace, bows, curls, pink tones, feminine glam, and a “dressed up” look.
Onee Gyaru
More mature, older sister energy. Sleek hair, fitted clothing, strong makeup, still glam but less “teen pop.”
Ganguro And Manba
The most extreme visual forms, especially in older trends. Deep tanning, bright makeup, white eyeliner, neon fashion, wild hair. These are iconic and also misunderstood a lot online.
Modern gyaru usually leans more wearable than the peak 2000s extremes, but you still see big lashes, big hair, and bold styling.
Gyaru Makeup: How The Look Is Built
Gyaru makeup is where the style really shows. Even if the outfit is simple, the makeup can still make the look read as gyaru immediately.
Here’s what typically defines gyaru makeup:
- Big eyes effect using thick eyeliner, dramatic lashes, and sometimes circle lenses
- Double eyelid emphasis with shading and highlight, or eyelid tape for stronger shape
- Strong lash styling including upper lashes, lower lashes, or drawn on bottom lashes
- Visible aegyosal (under eye puff highlight), to create that cute doll eye look
- Defined brows that match dyed hair tones, often lighter than natural black brows
- Contouring and highlight for a sharper face shape, or a softer “cute” glow depending on the era
Older gyaru makeup leaned harder on pale lips and heavy black eyeliner. Newer gyaru often looks closer to modern influencer makeup, but with extra lashes and a more obvious eye focus.
A Quick Gyaru Makeup Checklist
If you want the “gyaru face” without overthinking it:
- Curl lashes, add thick false lashes
- Extend eyeliner slightly for a lifted eye
- Highlight the inner corner and under eye area
- Add soft contour, especially on nose and jaw
- Finish with glossy lips or gradient lips
It sounds like a lot, but the logic is simple: eyes first, then glow, then cute finishing touches.
Gyaru Fashion: What Gyaru Wear
Gyaru fashion changes depending on the era, but it usually follows trends that feel fun, sexy, and a little dramatic. Think “going out outfit” energy, even in the afternoon.
Common gyaru fashion pieces include:
- Mini skirts, fitted dresses, shorts, or flared skirts
- Boots, platform shoes, heels, or chunky sneakers
- Animal print, plaid, denim, leather looks, or bright patterns
- Layered accessories like big earrings, belts, bangles, cute bags
- Cropped tops, off shoulder tops, cardigans, fluffy jackets
In the 2000s, gyaru fashion was heavily influenced by Shibuya brands and magazine culture. If you ever fall into a rabbit hole of old gyaru magazines, it is basically a style time capsule.
Gyaru Hair Is Part Of Fashion Too
Hair is not “extra,” it is part of the outfit.
Classic choices include:
- High volume curls
- Half up half down styles
- Big bangs, side swept bangs
- Dyed tones, highlighted streaks
- Extensions for length and thickness
If the hair looks intentional and styled, the whole look reads more gyaru.
Gyaru Culture In Anime
Anime loves gyaru because it is visually clear and instantly tells you something about a character. You see the hair, the nails, the lashes, the confidence, and you get the vibe without needing an explanation.
In anime, gyaru characters are often written as:
- Social and outspoken
- Trendy, beauty focused, and confident
- Friendly once you get to know them
- Secretly kind, loyal, or hard working
- Occasionally misunderstood by other characters
Older anime sometimes used gyaru characters as stereotypes, like “popular girl who bullies people.” Newer anime tends to give them more depth, and it seems way more fun that way.
@horikoshis1fan This is made by a Gyaru 🙏 Also if anyone is confused I can explain anything #gyaru #gyaruanimecharacters #gyaruinanime #shirogyaru #kurogyaru ♬ original sound – Horikoshi's BIGGEST fan(ザック)
Why The Gyaru Character Type Became So Popular
Because it flips expectations. In many stories, the gyaru looks intimidating, but ends up being the most supportive one in the room. It is a built in character twist people enjoy.
And it makes sense culturally, too. Gyaru is strongly linked to youth trends and self expression, so it fits naturally into school settings and coming of age stories.
Is Momo Ayase A Gyaru?
Momo Ayase is often described as gyaru coded, but she is not a full traditional gyaru in the classic Shibuya 2000s sense.
She has strong gyaru traits, like:
- Trendy fashion sense
- A confident and blunt personality
- Styled hair and a very “modern teen” look
- That cool girl vibe that stands out immediately
But her design is more like a modern, toned down version rather than the heavy lashes, extreme makeup, and flashy brand driven look people associate with peak gyaru.
So the honest answer is: Momo Ayase fits the modern gyaru vibe, but she is not a textbook old school gyaru. If someone calls her a gyaru, it is not random. It is just a lighter, updated version.
Gyaru has lasted because it is more than clothing. It is self expression, confidence, and fun fashion without apologizing for it. Some people join the style for the look. Others stay because it feels like a little personal rebellion, like saying “I can be cute and loud and stylish, and I don’t need permission.”
And yeah, it is also just a great aesthetic. Big hair wins sometimes.
