Shiny Violet Star

Friday, March 6, 2020

The Current State of Gyaru Fashion in 2020 + Spring Gyaru Trends via Forever21

You all know how the hell I feel about fast fashion and being a little bit conscious of what one buys. I really do believe in things like that and usually follow those methods. However, occasionally I will want to indulge in a trend or something new. If a piece won't leave my brain for weeks at a time, I'll most likely justify the purchase because it's clearly something I want to own and make use out of. It's all about balance in the fashion realm and figuring out what brings you happiness. Thankfully for me, I don't stick to one style and like all sorts of things. It keeps people on their toes wondering what the heck I'll wear when they see me next. I have something for literally every occasion. It's a blessing and a curse honestly. I don't have enough closet space and my wallet gets stabbed by resell items and new clothes.  
With that being said, I went out with a good friend of mine a couple of weekends ago. It was so fun to finally get out of my dorm room. I find that I am constantly hitting the books now a day for school. Occasionally it's nice to have a little bit of fun. We did a bit of makeup shopping at a discount store that had some items at some pretty steep price points. 

 We also hit up Forever21 to see what they might possibly have for fashion items. Mark me shocked. I have not liked fast fashion items in a long while but in the last couple of years, throwback fashion has been hitting the market hard. I'm old and a sucker for some late 90s/early 00s nostalgia. There were a couple of pieces that crazily stood out to me as very gyaru if not things that you could make to be very fun and gyaru. 

 I'm aware that not everyone is able to afford Japanese brand or import it-so right now is an ideal time for you because there are some extremely cute pieces that are very on-trend. With that being said, before I dive into some of my finds, I'd like to talk about the direction gyaru fashion is going in. 

 Last I recall, Forever21 pulled out of Japan back in October (?), so this really leaves a wide gap in the fast fashion market over there. There is of course-H&M, Zara, ect. However, they don't cater to a young demographic like Forever21 did. This is going to take youth fashion (I predict) in two directions. 
First, there going to go towards outside markets. One overseas brand that I see being quite popular is Guess. I feel like Guess is casual enough but is also just the right amount of extra for Japan to be appealing. I've seen a couple of stores there promote the brand as a middle man but I've also see a flagship store or two. I've noticed some outfit breakdowns in magazines also feature it. Things I see also being rather big are Korean brands like Chu and things from the store Style Nanda. The K-Wave is still pretty strong but I do see a lot of new J-Pop groups coming out that are really killing it. That celebrity worship might be coming back strong in Japan and we really haven't see that in a hot minute. While we don't have a reigning Avex queen like we did before and E-Girls are disbanding (I think that is what a lot of people looked towards) we have a lot of girl crush groups like BananaLemon, Faky, and things from Exile Tribe saturating the market nicely. 

 We are finally getting out of an entertainment dry spell and that is what is inspiring people to make new things or bring the old things back again. With that being said, magazines are making a pretty decent comeback. I don't think it's ever going to make waves like it did before but it definitely is a start in the right direction. With Egg and Happie Nuts being back on shelves, there's going to be a bit of the model worship that also gals lacked in the mid-10s. The fast-fashion market was also saturating things and there wasn't much originality coming from anywhere. With Forever 21 out of the picture, for youth fashion and Zara/H&M catering to an older crowd-I'm hoping that this will give gal fashion a really neat edge. We might be getting some boutique brands or maybe even some brand revivals since affordable competition is out of the picture. 

 It's funny that I'm about to feature clothing from Forever21 when I say this. However, we lack a boutique market like Japan does, so I think it's rather justified. 

 When I was shopping with my friend, I was asked if I had to feature a couple of items from Forever21-what would I pick that would be cute for a J-Fashion or gal outfit. I whizzed across the place finding interesting pieces. I even bought two pieces of my own that I am really invested in making fun things out of. 

 Here are some of my top picks for the season: 

Floral Animal Print Self-Tie Top


Nothing quite screams gyaru like this top does. It's a tie top that you could totally wear with a cute camisole or a really flashy bra. The leopard print and rainbow flower print is such a perfect gyaru statement that you could throw on with a pair of flared hip huggers, a chain belt, and chunky platforms. 

Tiger & Floral Print Cami Dress


This dress is stupidly popular. It keeps selling out. The straps on it are slightly pathetic but the print is everything. There are tigers and cherry blossoms in the print that make it unique and very early 00s. I have a pair of old 2004 jeans with red tie laces and a woman in a furisode (in glitter and rhinestones may I add) that I refuse to get rid of because it's from that iconic era where kimono print was on everything. I feel like this dress is a nod to that. I don't have anything like that (save for the jeans) so I am thrilled to do fun things with this look. I'm planning to either wear this dress with flat black platform slides or some chunky sandals. 


Smocked Leaf Print Mini Dress


I feel like this is such a cute dress that could be a nod towards the infamous MeJane with their iconic green leaf print that everyone associates them with (due to their shopping bags). It's off the shoulder and a perfect cut for spring. Definitely bust out your white platform sandals for this one!

Leaf Print High-Rise Crepe Shorts


Here is another MeJane looking print in the form of shorts. This comes in two colorways-white and black. 

Tropical Cropped Cami & Shorts Set


Here is another set that could kind of pass off as a MeJane piece? It's a little pricey for what it is though. 

Tropical Print Skirt


Here is another interesting piece that I found. It's a tropical leaf print but in a burnt orange colorway paired with a white background for a perfect contrast. This actually comes in a set and looks amazing together. I feel like this is more of a late 90s look than an early 00s. 

Tropical Lemon Print Mock Wrap Skirt


There is a pretty memorable video that features BabyShoop and Cecil McBee back in the late 90s/00s. A huge trend back then for the season was clothing prints that featured fruits. I ran across a fuck ton of fruit prints on the F21 website-including this lemon print that features flowers and palm leaves!


Citrus Print Cutout Dress


If you want a solely dedicated fruit print, Forever21 has this really cute cut out dress. I love how the black is perfectly contrasted with the fruit. 

Fruit Print Twill Shirt


Here's a top that also features fruit but one that isn't just citrus! 

Cherry Floral Print High-Low Skirt

https://www.forever21.com/us/shop/catalog/product/f21/top_blouses/2000398009

This skirt is a literal cherry blossom skirt. I adore this. I want it for myself and have yet to get it. -sobs- But this is definitely more of a gaudy office-y onee-gal vibe to me. I adore the the color way that has THREE print details. Polkadots (hi these are quite trendy this season), cherries, and blushing blossoms. The skirt also features an asymmetrical ruffle that I absolutely vibe with. I really really want this but my wallet is telling me to wait. 

Tropical Floral Halter Jumpsuit


This tropical jumpsuit is so pretty. I love the usage of teal. I don't see the color often and I think is looks great with the flowers and leaves. 




Tropical Floral Halter Jumpsuit


Here is another really stylish jumpsuit in white. It's very colorful. 

Tropical Print Cami Midi Dress


This dress gives me MeJane vibes out again incorporating nude-colored flowers with the palm leaves. There's a really sexy slit up the side that gives it a really mature vibe. 

Daisy Skater Skirt


Daisy print is such an iconic 90s staple but I think from what I can vaguely recall, we also appreciated it in the 00s in a unique way. I feel like 00s had chunkier/bigger daisies (flower power vibes) while the 90s was more of that grunge boho thing that was popular. Regardless, this is really cute and would pair well with a baby doll t-shirt and white platforms. I think this is a middle-ground of both eras personally...

Floral Cami Wrap Dress

https://www.forever21.com/us/shop/catalog/product/f21/dress/2000400132

Taking a step in a different direction, this floaty number is a really romantic take on gal fashion. This more-so gives me a mature take on Liz Lisa (something we've direly missed for forever). 

Gingham Cami Babydoll Dress


Speaking of Liz Lisa, this gingham printed dress reminds me of very old Liz Lisa or their sister-brand Tralala. It might also could pass for Rose Fan Fan as well! It's a really cute cut with small ruffle detailing. 


Floral Print Mini Dress


This is a very interesting dress. The cut and print screams onee-gyaru. I blame the nude colorway. 

Floral Cami Mini Dress


Lime green paired with daisy print is such an old-school mood. It's so strange seeing this come back into trend because I can vividly remember this one. It's very cute and I don't where exactly it would fall into gyaru fashion but I can see it very much so working for a cute vibe that isn't quite hardcore gyaru but it isn't princess-y like Liz Lisa either...? 

Stretch-Knit Pencil Skirt



Call this basic but you need a base for what I am about to pair with this skirt...

Belted Satin Faux Wrap Top


This top would pair so nicely with that pencil skirt. It's very elegant and looks kind of like stuff an OL onee-gal would wear if she worked a job that would allow her leeway in a dresscode. Which I actually recall seeing in a video at one point. I don't know if that video exists but the gal worked in an office or at a law firm and looked banging. This getup kind of reminded me of that. 


Belted Ribbed Bodycon Dress


Tada. Another iconic onee-gal piece. This isn't a sleeveless turtle neck but I feel like I've seen a dress like this before in old 90s/00s magazines paired with a cardigan tied around the shoulders. 


Baby Phat Print Mini Skirt

I'm only featuring ONE BabyPhat item because honestly? I'd be featuring the whole ass line because it's perfect for B-Gal or even possibly Tsuyome-y stuff. This stood out due to the print but jfcc... This brand revived a year or so ago and it's so retro and iconic. 

Satin Nautical Print Cami Dress


This print is so cute and I feel like it's not Ma*rs but it ain't D.i.a... I don't know what it is other than beachy and it most certainly could work for a gyaru coordinate. 



Here are my top gyaru fashion picks from Forever21 this season! What did you guys think? Did any of these pieces stand out to you? Are any of these future purchases in your shopping cart? Feel free to link me to any of your gal coordinates if you end up buying any of these. I'm very curious to see how someone would gal these up!

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Saturday, January 25, 2020

Golds Infinity Diversified Agejo



As the decade ended and  the new one opens, I'm looking through various sales postings online, and a thought sadly still crosses my mind. As I scroll through pages and pages of brand name clothes I think to myself: “Damn, Golds Infinity got robbed.” What I mean by this is, Golds Infinity got robbed of the agejo gyaru crown.

Allow me to expand on what I mean by this: When someone thinks of agejo where does their mind immediately go to? Ma*rs of course! The brand is without a doubt, an agejo staple that has somehow managed to survive the gyaru brand purge that has occurred over the past ten years based on it being just that: an iconic brand. I actually have a theory as to why this is, but that is a blog post for another day. However, Golds Infinity wasn’t as lucky when it came to facing the brand name chopping block and that is a shame because they actually were more diversified than Ma*rs ever was.

Just like how people associate agejo with Ma*rs; the black and pink colorway is also something that avid fans also co-relate with the sub-style. Golds Infinity challenged this by always changing their brand image whether it was having items in multiple colorways outside of the typical blackxpink staple or by changing the overall style of what agejo looked like as whole. To this day, I get so thrilled when I find an agejo piece in teal, purple, or another really unique color that isn't blackxwhitexpink. It's something that I find refreshing, considering agejo has a couple of trademark things that make it what it is! Golds Infinity separated itself by always having items that grew. They were mainly known for the split swallowtail dresses/camisole tops with rhinestone brooches or buckles in the center breast piece. While Gold’s Infinity definitely had it’s share of “print” pieces that followed suit with booming agejo brands of the late 2000s, it also had pieces that would focus more on a woman’s silhouette or body shape.

There were pieces that had three-layered tiered skirts that were low at the hip or one-pieces that were loose at the middle but hugged at the breasts and thighs. They focused on using not only eye-catching “jewelry” pieces but also included different patterns or stripes or experimented with fabric textures such as lace or satins. A lot of thought was placed into each piece that was produced during this time and I am so lucky that I have a few pieces that I have tucked away as treasures in my wardrobe. Surprisingly in the resell market, detailed Golds pieces are becoming harder and harder to find. This is something that is unavoidable but certainly breaks my heart as someone who low-key likes to begrudgingly admit that I would choose Golds Infinity over Ma*rs any day of the week despite people associating me with the brand quite often.


So what converted me into being a Golds gal you ask? I was just as guilty at first thinking that Golds Infinity was lacking as a brand and was boring in comparison to Ma*rs. One day before I learned about the joys of using shopping services, I found that YesStyle was having a sale in order to clear out their remaining J-Fashion inventory. I found a Golds Infinity dress for super cheap and decided to buy it. I hadn’t bought a J-Fashion piece in forever and I wasn’t about to pass up an affordable gyaru brand. My teal lace dress came in the mail and as soon as I tried it on, I fell in love. The color was beautiful and eye-catching. You don’t see blues or teals (cool-toned colors) often in agejo so it was exciting trying on a piece that felt unique to the typical colorway. I also loved how it really showcased the color of my hair and really went with the make up I used to wear a lot at the time. I loved the intricacy of the piece I bought as well. There will little detailed I missed when I purchased the dress. There was a chain on the back that had a heart charm, there was the infamous jeweled brooch, the mid-sleeves were layered tiered lace that ruffled out nicely, the neckline was a square-princess cut, there were geometric jewels sewed into that neckline. Sometimes, stock photos don't do a clothing piece. Also as I realized with Golds Infinity by seeing them at Anime Expo one year and dismissing them before falling in love later; sometimes a piece of clothing looks way better on a body than it does on the clothing hanger on a rack. 

Suddenly, I had an immense appreciation for Golds Infinity. I had highly underestimated them as a brand. My first second-hand service haul immediately features a gorgeous Golds Infinity piece. This time I bought the typical blackxpink colorway. However, the piece I bought was beautiful. On me, it was a bit of a bodycon dress that included a stripe print with an asymmetric layer-just so that the stripes would go two different ways giving someone’s body a different illusion. It definitely highlighted my thigh area (to be fair that is what old-school agejo is supposed to be highlighting) and chest area because the dress clung to those places. I loved that this piece also included an infamous brooch, a V-shaped neckline with gold studs along it, and a dangling chain that went from the brooch to along the whole side of my body.

Suddenly, I didn’t just have an appreciation for them as a brand. I started wanting to be a Golds girl in every aspect. I was in love. That same year, I wore Golds Infinity to my birthday party. I had opted for a more modern/trendy onee-gyaru style dress that I will explain in a little bit. Ma*rs felt like a status symbol to flaunt in the gyaru community but Golds Infinity felt like the under-loved sister that made me feel confident in a different type of way. Anytime I have worn Golds Infinity, someone has asked where I got the piece from. People immediately recognize Ma*rs, but do not know Golds Infinity. Despite this, the Golds pieces I wear always get a lot of kind compliments and a lot of people wonder what gyaru brand it is.


Another concept of Golds that I love is that I can wear a piece up or down. Not that you couldn
’t do that with other Agejo brands, but I have certainly worn a variety of pieces from the brand out to class with a pair of leggings and flats. Sometimes I’ll remove the chains or brooches in order to not look as extra. It never detracts from the look and still makes me feel confident but in a more mature type of way.

Which brings me into my next topic, what the hell happened to Golds Infinity? They just disintegrated out of of the blue. There seemingly wasn't a goodbye announcement or anything from what my memory can recall.

 Golds unlike Ma*rs, went in a different direction eventually. They began to cater to an onee-gyaru market that was slowly growing but wasn’t exactly gaining the type of attention that agejo was considering the hype that comes with being in Ageha. Golds did have a sub-label called Albina which was short-lived that was a nod to their older agejo pieces but it surprisingly didn’t last long. This shocks me mainly because while Albina did certainly made cheaper, the clothes actually fit me better. It’s like the designers decided to cater to what would fit more body types. I’ve gained weight compared to when I was a skinny legend in my youth, but I somehow still fit Albina. The fact that this opens up possibilities to a wider audience with a different body type sadly didn’t save them.

With that being said, it would be a little while before Golds could carry their weight in onee-gyaru territory and honestly? It was extremely short-lived. On my 24th birthday, I ended up buying my first onee-style Golds piece. It was a gorgeous black bodycon dress with opening at the shoulders and dangling pearls at the sleeves. The floral print was red and orange toned...and boy, did it cling onto me. However, I felt my age. I felt like a lady.

I
t was a totally different concept from the other Golds Infinity pieces I owned but still lived up to exactly what the brand focused on: accentuating the female form. That was what I loved about the brand as a whole. There was something about how the clothing fell on you or clung to all the right places that just felt special. Even without the embellishments of the previous collections, I didn’t feel like I was lacking or under-dressed. Ma*rs at the time relied on prints as a form of charisma and in a sense? For a while, I felt like they lost their brand concept or direction as they attempted to breach into the streetwear market without much success. They had abandoned the things that made Ma*rs’ brand a trademark for trend.

However, Golds at this point in time was not going any where in terms of them developing as a brand. Before their death, they released a mini-kyaba-collection of formal dresses and a couple of DaTuRa-esque pieces that was enough to be a nod to the shifting trends at the time but this metamorphosis was too little and too late. Gyaru as a whole has went through a very large style shift (I’ll make a blog about this too eventually because I have a bone to pick with people about it!) in the past couple of years and what made Golds Infinity stand out happened to also be what made it less cool. Brands were less about the female form and more about comfort-something that went against the whole craftsmanship of a Golds Infinity piece of clothing. Thus, they died and my heart was broken.

This under-loved agejo brand certainly still has a special place in my heart. Because they’re not as large as the flagships under the Saja/Lilimpark label, there are fewer pieces and a bigger market of people wanting any sort of old-style agejo they can get now. Thus, making extremely detailed Golds Infinity rather difficult to find. In general, I’ve noticed the gaudy gyaru brand market as a whole drying up (there’s only so many clothes for so many people you know?) and it has made me so thankful that I had the foresight to know this and dive into investing in things before they become borderline obsolete and a pain to find at a realistic price point. Nobody wants to pay 100+ for dated brand. There are many different Golds pieces on my wishlist and I always fondly fawn over the glory days of everyone being an extra bitch.I'm still longing for that rhinestone spilt camisole that Ai Tanaka infamously wore in an Egg ParaPara video. It's iconic and reflective of an era that has long passed but is one I still love to dote upon. 



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With this being said, I have a question to my readers. Do you think agejo will ever make a come back? There’s recently been a comfort/not being sexy for the sake of comfort (or at least if it’s a sexy it’s an instagram baddie type of thing-street wear) that has even made Ma*rs have to entirely change their brand concept and what demographic they cater to in order to still stay alive. Koakuma Ageha died for a second time due to SakuRina leaving definitely, but also because the entire look of kyaba-girls wasn’t agejo anymore but was way more lady-like and is why AneAgeha still exists. Do you think that glamorous Barbie-like image will ever come around again during our time or do you think when it does, we’ll be envious of the young girls who get to flaunt that shit off because we’re too old to do it? If agejo made a comeback do you think deceased brands would rise from the grave or do you think newer brands would adjust to the market? If so, which ones do you think would have some agejo-style potential? Let me know in the comments!

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Thursday, January 9, 2020

*~Being a University Gal~*


To start off with the first written post of my blog's return, I've decided to share an article that was meant for Volume One of Papillon magazine. This article I suppose didn't seem fitting considering the August release got pushed back to October. However, I find that maybe this piece still has a lot of potential and I put a lot of love and care into it. I hope you all find it helpful if not just entertaining! 






lBeing a University Gall


Being a student in college and wanting to still be a gyaru can be tough occasionally! Between juggling classes, working a job in order to afford your eccentric lifestyle, budgeting (if your focus is only on academics), and setting aside time in the day for all-out glam-it can be a challenging task to feat. Here are a few tips on how to maintain your fabulous lifestyle while being in college!
• School comes first!
Obtaining your degree comes first! Keep your eye on the prize! You absolutely must be a student first. If you cannot juggle being a gyaru and a student at the same time, do know that you can always take a hiatus and come back to the fashion later on. Making time to study and being punctual is extremely important. Time management will never ever leave you in adulthood so it’s best to prioritize what is most important. 

 • Bills and expenses also come first. 

 With the transition from being a teenager into becoming an adult comes a new set of financial responsibilities. Rent, textbooks, supplies for class, food, electricity, hygiene products, and other necessary items must come first and be paid for before the fun begins! 
• Allow yourself to have fun or enjoy yourself on a special occasion. 

 Give yourself an incentive system. Some devout followers of this fashion sometimes realize that being lifestyle gyaru isn’t a practical or obtainable course of action. Being a lifestyle gyaru isn’t for everyone and doesn’t make someone any less dedicated to the hobby that they love! Despite the seriousness that comes with adult responsibilities-there are always vacations, weekends, or special events where you can allow yourself to have fun. Did you do well on your last final exam? Did you work extra hours at your job? Let yourself go to karaoke on a night off! Hang out with your best gal pals. Buy yourself that brand item you were eyeing awhile back. If you work hard, you definitely deserve to treat yourself every now and then! 

 • Hoard up your materials. 

 For example, I was very privileged to live at home while I went to community college. I paid bills but they were at the minimum due to not having to worry about rent or heavy solo expenses. However, I knew I was moving out to a new city for university way back last year.  With that kept in mind, I began hoarding everything I needed for a semester such as hygiene products, skincare, and school supplies a year before my big move! Along with everyday materials, I also stocked up on eyelashes, circle lenses, makeup items, and brand name clothing. I reminded myself that I would have less room to splurge once I was living out on my own. I wanted to still be gyaru while in university and planned ahead to ensure that I would be able to do so. It’s good to have backups of your ride or die products. The key to make sure that you have a good amount of time before expiry dates! I realize that not everyone is lucky enough to have the same circumstances I did but it’s definitely something to keep in mind if you have the ability to do so! 

 • Find brand items that can be mixed, matched, dressed up, and dressed down. 

I habitually love buying brand name one-piece dresses. Such things can be altered to look different depending on what it is. However, I challenged myself as of last fall to focus on purchasing skirt and top sets that could be paired with multiple things so my wardrobe would look much more expansive than it actually was. I also tried to find pieces that could be dressed up for big events but could also be toned down for when I went to class that way I got more use out of my purchases. Make your wardrobe versatile! Before purchasing an item think about how many other pieces can be coordinated with it. Do you have items in your closet that could work with this brand new piece entering into it? Are you buying pieces in your haul that could cohesively work with what you are adding to your cart? These are questions that any smart shopper should ask themselves to help combat impulsive buying practices (which saves money) and overall help restrict their closet to fun necessities rather than chaotic clutter! That’s the last thing you need when moving into a smaller space at a university! 

 • If all else fails in terms of hoarding up gyaru materials-prioritize cosmetics!

 Gyaru is a very makeup and hair based fashion. Clothes are nice and can help establish your style when it comes to choosing a sub-style. Though, keep in mind that you can also wear all brand and not look gyaru at all! When in doubt? It’s all about the eyes! If you’re truly living that “broke bitch” life-buy a good eyeliner, eyelash glue, an okay mascara, and a stable set of false lashes! You can’t go wrong with the basics! 

 • Buy yourself a fashionable but sturdy bag. 

Neutral colors are the way to go so they match every outfit. You want a cute but practical bag! It is wise to have a nude bag and black bag in your arsenal that can fit both your laptop, phone, wallet, school supplies, and make up bag! You will thank me later. 

 • Learn how to curl hair with a flatiron!

 I swear by this technique. It’s harder to do with longer hair for some reason but I had to pick between bringing a flat iron, a set of hot rollers, or a curling iron? A flat iron would be my choice! This saves space and is multi-functional. 

 • Make time in your day if you’re planning to dress/look gyaru. 

 Gyaru fashion is the epitome of being extra. Sometimes being that extra bitch requires you to wake up much earlier than the average person to get ready. This might be especially challenging when you have an eight am lecture or a job that requires you to work opening shifts. If you love gyaru? Sacrifices must be made! In this case, it might be that extra hour of sleep. No worries though, I have a solution to your sacrifice! First off, evening showers will trump over morning showers in this case. This will save you so much time. Another way to combat a morning time constraint is to set out all the items you're going to be using the night before. This includes the makeup and contacts you might be using as well as your entire coordinated outfit! You might be able to spare yourself an extra thirty minutes of sleep prepping the night before. 
  • Make time in your day if you’re planning to be gyaru and know when to cut corners


Punctuality is key! Most people might take thirty minutes to clean up and get out the door. For someone doing gyaru, on average, it can take an hour to an hour-and-thirty-minutes to get ready for the sake of aesthetics. Do not burden other people with your upkeep. Take time out of your own schedule to accommodate other people’s schedules. For instance, if your friends want to leave somewhere at 9:30 or you if have a 10 o’clock class, you may want to wake up at 6 am knowing that it will take you time to get ready. Have all of your items that you need packed in your bag way before you need to leave. Cutting corners might be setting your hair in sponge rollers before bed in order to have already flawless big hair in a matter of minutes. It also might mean using more neutral-colored eye shadow palettes knowing that colorful eye make up takes much more time. Whatever it is, find a good medium between what works for others and what works for you. I find this crucial in balancing gyaru fashion and everyday life.

 
• Extra Shoes and Bags

 That good roomy handbag I talked about? This will come in handy because if you’re anything like me, you’re going to leave your dorm room in cute shoes and be limping back at the end of the day in flats. The beginning is all for the sake of aesthetics and Instagram. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this! You’re starting your day off strongly on the right foot quite literally! Once pictures and the day have progressed though, the less and less you’ll care about things for the sake of vanity. Invest in a good pair of nude and black flats that can go with any outfit. Inside your purse, carry a cute tote bag. I have one from Black Peace Now that is a little ghost/imp keychain. However, inside of him is an extra bag to carry excess things. In this case, it would be my extra shoes. You also use bags like these for extra items in your shopping. I have quite a couple from a variety of different brands. If a brand you like offers them for reasonable prices, I highly suggest investing. Even for your everyday shopping runs! They’re a lifesaver. 

 • Always have a makeup bag on hand stocked with essentials. 

  This is generally a must whether you are in university or not. Gyaru is a high maintenance fashion. If you’re working or in class all day, you’re bound to have a makeup malfunction. Be sure to carry a compact mirror, eyelash glue, eyeliner, and a lip color for quick touch-ups! 

 • Sponge Rollers 

 This should probably go with the “night before” prep but I personally think it deserves its own section! Set your hair with sponge rollers the night before for extra voluminous hair. This will save you a large amount of time when it comes to styling your hair the morning of. You’ll be ensured to have big gyaru-worthy hair that will last throughout the day! I especially love doing this right before I go to a big event. These are also quite affordable versus a set of hot-rollers. You can find sets at the dollar store even or at a local discount store. 

 • Sneak gyaru-able accessories into your everyday life

 If you’re not capable of doing gyaru everyday, there are still ways to sneak the fashion into your everyday life. For instance, deco-den your notebooks or tech accessories in a cute gyaru style. Not only will they be personalized to your style (meaning nobody else but you will have them on campus) but such cute school accessories are bound to be a conversation starter! You might even be able to gain others’ interest in gyaru fashion just by sporting something that is practical and relatable to everyday people. 

 • Everyday make up can be a form of gyaru-practice 

 I usually do not do a full gyaru-beat on campus. It’s a waste of my resources when I’m already on a budget. I save my lashes for days when I feel extra good about myself or have somewhere to be after class! However, I do let myself experiment around with my make up. I’ll work on different eyeliner shapes or different color combinations that I can incorporate into a gyaru look that I'm planning later on. Sometimes, I’ll even do a “half-gyaru” look that includes circle lenses and a good eyeliner shape-but might not necessarily have lashes or an obvious contour that people would associate with gyaru. The more you sneak in practice with gyaru kept in mind, the more of a visual image you’ll have when you actually get to partake in doing the fashion! 

 • Save money. Learn a skillset. 

 Going to salons can be pricey. I personally cut my own hair and do my own nails. This can be time-consuming and at times, risky, or frustrating. However, I save a ton of money by doing things myself. Plus I end up semi-ly getting more so what I wanted versus leaving my vision in the hands of another person who might not have any idea what the hell I'm going for in terms of the look. Maintaining a nail fill, hair color, or a specific hairstyle can be expensive. One trick for me is to keep my nails painted and grow out my real nails. If I constantly keep them painted with a thick topcoat they will remain hard and are less apt to break. If I dye my hair, I opt for an ombre or streaks/highlights versus a full-on head full of color. This is so my grow out over time isn’t as gross looking. However, I am extremely lucky to have light hair and have only tried that option once but it incredibly helpful for me to keep this in mind when it came to knowing about hair maintenance and my budget for each month.  Cutting hair can be risky but I usually do my own so I can get the right layers that I want. Learning one of these skill sets will save you an abundance of money each month if this is something that you regularly do!

 • Most importantly-more money equals more brand. 
Having a part-time job definitely helps enable the gyaru lifestyle. With a consistent paycheck, it’s much easier to place some of your earnings to the side to buy or do nice things. An on-campus job or part-time work can really contribute to living your best fashionable life. I’m always motivating myself even on the most exhausting of days by telling myself-more money equals more brand. Just be sure that you still have enough time in your day to study. I also find that there’s no point in my materialistic tendencies if my job cuts into my time for enjoyment. Be sure to find a path that caters to both necessities-work and play! This isn’t supposed to be an all-out “everything is leaning on this” career but a job to help make fun times less restrictive in terms of a budget!

At the end of the day, your university years should be the prime time to gyaru fashion. Without a fully restrictive dress code that might limit you in your career years and a good work-life balance to ensure ample time to have fun, you definitely can and should be done! With the right usage of time and budgeting gyaru can be attainable even on a college budget. It’s all about balance. I hope these tips are helpful! Be sure to have a productive and fun start to your new semester! 
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