Finding the right products for gal make can be such a battle at times. For such a long time, I felt completely lost when trying to find products that really gave me the look I was going for. Believe me, there were a few months that my "gal make" was actually horrific and not Gyaru at all.
At some point, I will post a proper makeup tutorial, but for now, I can (hopefully) give you all some recommendations and tips with this blog! The awkward phase is a bit unavoidable when learning to do gal make, but I hope my embarrassment is your knowledge gained!
Before we get started with anything, just a fair warning: Skincare and makeup are some of my biggest obsessions, so prepare for the yap of a lifetime. Seriously.
I also want to note that I won't be sharing any recommendations for things like foundation, blush, or bronzer here. Everyone's preferences are different, as is their access to certain products. Therefore, I'll only be focusing on gal make-specific aspects and recommending products for those.
Alright, let's get started!
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First things first: We need to get the skin prep down.
Basically, do whatever you like to do that won't clash with your makeup. If you experience a lot of pilling or separation, then your skincare is either not compatible with your makeup products or you aren't letting it sink into your skin adequately. I like to give my skincare a MINIMUM of 10 minutes to set in, and I don't mind going even longer because my face flushes and gets hot very easily.
Since makeup can honestly get a bit stressful, I like to do this to let myself chill out for a while. It also makes doing my makeup less of a sensory nightmare, because I'm not working on an uncomfortably warm face or trying to speed through my routine. Let makeup and skincare feel like "you" time, and take your time.
After my skincare is done, I oil blot. A lot of people say oil blotting removes too much and makes your skin start to overproduce oil, and I agree with that for most people, but I have such abnormally oily skin that it genuinely doesn't matter. So, if you have the same problem, I recommend oil blotting as well.
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After that, think about makeup tools!
I mentioned these in my Q&A blog, but I used to love these Chinese makeup sponges and a thin, flat brush to spread out my foundation. They can both be found on Amazon for pretty cheap. The sponge makes blending out products go so fast, and the brush allows me to use thinner layers since I don't really enjoy the thick feeling of foundation. I don't use that method anymore, but I still think it's great. These days, I apply my base product with my fingers, and then I go in with a beauty blender that I sprayed with setting spray. I also like these triangular puffs, and I keep one for powder and one for liquid/creams. They make powdering or blending your undereyes, or other hard-to-reach places, so easy. I use one to powder my entire face, and it helps me not look too powdery/cakey. Getting tools I liked was a game-changer for me, so prioritize finding tools you really like.
(Speaking of looking too powdery or cakey, a good trick I learned ages ago is to spray your face with setting spray to add some hydration back if you feel like you overpowered. The setting spray will melt the powders into your skin and increase the longevity of your makeup.)
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Okay, now we can really talk gal make~
Some quick basic makeup tips before we begin:
Try not to mix silicone-based and water-based products. Some products play well together, but I find mixing the two also causes a lot of pilling and separation. I like to make sure, at minimum, that my primer and base products have the same base ingredient.
Another cause of separation might be that you simply aren't wearing enough makeup! Base products (foundation, tinted moisturizers, etc.) have these things called film formers in them, and basically, they create a film on your face. Film formers have many purposes, but the key purpose is to increase the wear-time/longevity of the product. If you aren't using enough product, those film formers will not have a chance to fully activate and make that film, which will cause your makeup to separate and look patchy. So, always be sure to use an adequate amount of product!
I wanted to mention these because I honestly see a lot of gals skipping core aspects like base makeup, and just going straight into their eyes and nose stripe. I don't think that's particularly awful; however, I think learning these basic makeup techniques makes a HUGE difference. I like to think of it as training for a marathon: You don't just try to attempt a 300-mile race right off the bat; you have to work your way up to it by practicing and becoming proficient in simpler races. If you find yourself not being satisfied with your make and you are someone who does not have a lot of makeup experience in general, make it a point to learn basic makeup before truly attempting gal make! I encourage you to develop something like a foolproof base routine and go from there. I have a Pinterest board full of basic makeup tips, information, and tutorials, which can be found here!
Next, let's talk about that iconic Gyaru white. I use a few products: The NYX jumbo eye pencil in the shade Milk, white face paint, or a white Posca paint pen.
I think the NYX jumbo eye pencil is one of the most commonly used white products, and for good reason! It's incredibly affordable at only $6, and it's very easy to work with. I recommend getting their sharpener, however, because it's a very specific size, and it can only be sharpened to get more product.
When picking a white face paint, there are options ranging from dirt cheap to extremely high-end. There are some good quality, cheap face paints out there, so you can try to find one at a party or costume store near you (I believe I got mine at Spirit Halloween). I do not use these products myself, but I have heard amazing things over the years about Mehron's Clown White Face Paint and CreamBlend Stick in Moonlight White. These are a bit pricey, but I think they are a great investment, especially for Manba and Yamanba gals.
Finally, using Posca pens might sound a bit alarming, but they are technically safe for skin contact. I just don't recommend using them constantly, and absolutely do not put them in your waterline or directly in your eye. Use common sense, please.
If you want a more subtle white, I recommend using a white or even beige eyeshadow, either in a matte or shimmer finish.
The placement/use of the white is up to personal preference, especially on the eyes. I honestly really encourage creating a placement on your own, because you know what suits you the best. Even if you don't, you will likely be able to find out very quickly. Copying is a great way to practice and learn, but I don't recommend completely copying another gals make. Not only does it take the fun out of doing gal make, but their make is unique to them. It was likely done after a long time of experimenting, so you should do the same. Instead, try out their techniques and adapt them to suit you. For example, I took some inspiration from the Bdia member Akarin and customized my lashes, but they look completely different. Always take inspiration, but try not to outright copy forever!
The placement also depends on what style of gal make you're doing, as well. The way Manba and Yamanba gals use white is going to look very different from the way Tsuyome gals use white.
See the difference? All 4 gals have white in their make, but they use it very differently. Experiment!
I will share some tips, however, specifically on the nose stripe. When doing your nose stripe, a simple straight line is not the only way to do it.
Some gals like a thick, white stripe:
Some like it thin:
Some gals like to make a gradient:
Some gals like to make it thinner at the top, and thicker at the bottom:
Some like to just use a matte or shimmery powder:
And some don't do one at all:
Do whatever you like!
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Next, eyelashes! Something I want to stress is that you will rarely find your perfect pair of lashes without customizing them. There are certain styles that look better, and theres some that come close. However, there is likely a non-zero chance that you'll have to customize your lashes at some point. So, here are some tips on customizing and applying your lashes:
1. First, accept that you're going to fuck up more than one pair of lashes before you're satisfied! I recommend buying those relatively cheap packs of bulk lashes, so you have a lot to play around with.
2. Use a small pair of scissors, if you can. Regular-sized scissors will absolutely work, but I like to use these little nail scissors I have. They just give me a little bit more control over regular-sized ones.
3. The band can be a bit rigid at times, so be sure to break it up a bit. Just lightly hold each end of the lash, bend it slightly into an upside-down "U" shape, and sort of shimmy it around. That will make the lash more flexible. Do this before customization.
4. The key is getting the volume in the middle of the lash. Your average lash will have the most volume at the end, so cut it off and add it to the middle.
5. What I like to do is take 2 lashes, cut the ends off of both, and combine them. Some lash bands can just be squished together, but you can also use a touch of lash glue to stick them together.
(It's fine if the lashes are longer than your natural lash line; your eyeliner will likely complement it anyway!)
6. Take one of the ends you cut off, and either squish it or glue it in the center close to the band.
7. Play around with it until you like it!
When it comes to bottom lashes, it depends on the style you like. I prefer mine a bit longer and on the spikier side, and I just customized a pair of my upper lashes. These are the ones I use. No matter what, though, make sure your top lashes and bottom lashes are not the same length. Frankly, it will look a bit silly... I learned that the hard way!
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Eyebrows can be a bit tricky, but once you get them down, it's so simple. I find that most gals simply shave their eyebrows off, so if you're comfortable doing that, I say go for it! It will make your brows truly customizable. I also see many gals bleaching/lightening their eyebrows, which is a bit less permanent than shaving them. I like to just pluck my eyebrows very thin, and I use a tinted brow gel to lighten them. Light brows are not a hard requirement, but I do think they elevate gal make by a lot. I use the Espoir brow mascara in the shade #1 Beige, but they do have a very light shade called Fake Bleach if #1 Beige is still too dark for you. Another great product that tons of gals use is the KissMe Heavy Rotation brow gel.
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The last item on the gal make front is colorcon! I admittedly do not wear colorcon, due to me simply having to wear glasses for a multitude of reasons; however, I've done some research! The two brands I see other gals recommending the most are PinkyParadise and Uniqso, and they have both non-prescription and prescription lenses, and a massive variety. Before purchasing, I do recommend visiting the optometrist and finding out which power of lens you need, if you do not have a contact lens prescription already. I also recommend not purchasing from any shops that do not have prescription options or do not ask you for your prescription. Also, please note that Amazon cannot legally sell contact lenses, so any you may find there should be avoided. The bottom line is, be careful and do your due diligence! Being unsafe with colorcon can result in eye damage!
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Last but not least, we can discuss hairstyling!
So, outside of sujimori, Gyaru hairstyles can be relatively simple. If you look at magazine scans, you can see that most hairstyles can be achieved with some hot tools, bobby pins, and other things you likely have lying around. I would say a lot of the work lies in getting the right haircut for you and coloring it; I wouldn't say there is one specific "Gyaru" haircut, but you do see a lot of gals with layers and bangs/fringe, and I think this can be attributed to the biggest hair trends in Japan back in the day (and honestly, today as well).
For more extreme Yamanba and Manba hairstyles, using hair extensions is an option. Hime and Agejo hairstyling also includes extensions, as well as hairpieces and half-wigs.
But just for some basics, I would say the requirements for Gyaru hairstyling are: A curling iron or curlers, a hair straightener, a comb specifically for teasing/styling hair, hairspray and/or texture spray, and things to secure your hair with. The outcomes might be different across substyles, but the core equipment and techniques tend to be rather universal.
Wearing the hair down is exceedingly common in most Gyaru photo sources, but updos are options as well. Here are some examples:
Ponytails or pigtails fastened with scrunchies or other cute hair ties are another option. Hair accessories in general are a huge aspect of Gyaru hairstyling. Cute hair clips and barrettes, especially of the floral or neon variety, can elevate any hairstyle. For gals with braids, I stumbled across this mock sujimori that I think is absolutely stunning, which can be viewed here.
All this to say, I am of the opinion that any hairstyle that complements your coord and make is just fine, be it full-blown sujimori or just flat-ironed or in a ponytail. However, similarly to learning basic makeup, I also think learning to do your hair is sort of an entry-level requirement for giving Gyaru your all! Believe me, hair can also make or break a coord, so don't neglect it!
Here are a few more examples! More examples and inspiration can be viewed here and here.
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Woop woop! It's done! This turned out to be a wayyyy bigger writing endeavor than I anticipated, but I'm really pleased with how it came out. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it~ A quick reminder that my next big blog post is going to be a gyarusa/gal-cir deepdive! It's going to take a while to complete, but feel free to comment with any suggestions for the blog~ It would be a great help~ Please look forward to it! As always, feel free to comment or IM me about anything else you like! Any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns are always greatly appreciated~ If you've read this far, I'm so truly thankful! I know it was a long read, hehe. I'll be back soon with another blog~!
Remember, Antama loves you~!
Kiss kiss~☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
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