GC Day 29: Gal Buys of the Month!

     Hello Cuties!  We're nearing the end of this Gyaru challenge (probably 3 years later lol).  I've decided to change this entry up a little.  Originally it said to share Gyaru items purchased over the past 29 days.  I imagined that meant Japanese brand items.  So!  In this post I will share my latest purchases that are NOT Gal brand items however these items are perfect for Gyaru.  And I will show you how!

     I'm working on a project right now and I needed a few accessories for it.  So I ordered a new hat and a scarf.  You probably already know where the hat is going, but a western hat can actually be used in multiple substyles.  (So try and guess what style I'm going for. 👀)  As for the scarf, I won't spoil what I'm working on but, scarves were a lot more prevalent in older general gyaru coordinates.

☆ See 10 gallon hats :

☆ See scarves :

 I wonder, did I succeed in throwing you off my trail?  Hmm ~ . . . 

     I've also made a very small makeup purchase.  Kelsey recommended an eyeshadow for me to try using to enhance my nose stripe!  I don't know why I never thought to use a light / white eyeshadow but I realized I don't even have a pure white eyeshadow in my collection!   (￣▽￣*)ゞ

     While I was browsing Sugarpill, I decided to pick up a pair of lashes too.  I've been eyeing these babies for a loooong time.  This was my first purchase with them, I love the packaging!  It's super cutesy! ♥ ｡.( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡

     One more entry to goooooo~  (for this challenge that is)
(＃￣ω￣)  Don't misunderstand, I enjoy these challenges, I'm just disappointed at how I don't follow them continuously.  But I'm determined to complete them all!  Thanks for reading~

~ Love you x Amiman ~

GC Day#28: What Do You Think Will Happen to Gyaru in the Future?

Hello Cuties~

     Let's not talk about how long I've been stretching this Gyaru Challenge.  („ಡ_ಡ„)  I really wish I wrote this one months ago because I'd love to see how my predictions and reality differ.  Had you asked me my thoughts on the future of Gyaru in 2018, I would've said obsolete.  In my head I thought it wouldn't be soon before Gyaru would be considered old fashion, out of date, or forgotten.  I figured Gyaru would only live as long as the few Gals I knew continued showing their content online.

     If we're being completely honest here, you could have asked me this question just at the beginning of this year and my answer would have been the same.  I wanted to believe people still loved the style, but I noticed the community growing quiet.  More social groups seemed to disappear.  Well at least that's what I thought.  Never did I imagine Gyaru receiving such a revival, not only within the gaijin community, but in Japan as well!

     -From 2000 / Black Diamond 2.0  are probably the best things that ever happened to Gyaru.  That may be a loaded comment but I really believe they did a lot for Gyaru.  Now we're talking about the Gyaru revival, keep that in mind.  But I will say, the o.g. unit Black Diamond paved the way!  (I keep thinking of those "bts paved the way memes and now I can't stop laughing)

｡ﾟ( ﾟ^∀^ﾟ)ﾟ｡

     I remember when the Gyaru circle Black Diamond made their bold debut in 2012 (jeez has it really been that long).  It was huge to me, and the news caused quite the buzz and excitement within Japanese fashion.  In my opinion that was the first huge spike in the Gyaru resurgence.

     So if you ask me now:  What do you think will happen to Gyaru in the future?  I say it's only up from here.  Within these past eight months I've seen so much change.  I'm sure we've sparked the interest of people outside of the gal community.  I'm seeing new gals again.  And oddly enough that's encouraging to me.  For a long time I thought no one cared anymore and I feared I'd lose interest like many others have before.  

     It sounds so cheesy to say but, the Gal community has worked so hard this year.  I mean think about it.  A new gaijin Gyaru magazine?  Spreading Gyaru to other platforms beyond our personal blogs?  -From2000 shouting us out on YouTube and anticipating the debut of Papillon magazine??  These are major accomplishments!  And social media has played such a large part in our success.

     Japanese Gyaru showcased their lifestyles mostly through personal blogs.  Soon came twitter, and YouTube.  Some gals did use Instagram, but it wasn't a big percentage in the beginning.  I think the first game changer was Vine (r.i.p ;__; ).  I recall the Black Diamond Unit posting videos there and since it was the newest trend in social media, Gyaru probably got a lot of exposure.  After vine died I was so sad because I didn't see many updates on Black Diamond or Gyaru in general.

     It took a long time, a few major magazine and brand discontinuations in between, before the new BD Gals and -from 2000 popped on the scene.  They seemed to show up at just the right time.  The world seemed hooked on the idea of bringing the 90's back, so a lot of old trends were resurfacing.  Egg was giving the magazine scene another try.  And another social platform had been gaining popularity all at the same time, Tiktok.  I swear it all just fell into place for them!

     Do y'all remember this strange short movie??  I remember watching in confusion without subtitles until I got the vibe of "old gyaru returning".  It literally sent a jolt of excitement through me.

     I won't lie, when I saw the first images of the new Egg models, I didn't think the hype would build or last very long.  I thought I was excited all by myself.  However I'm so happy to have been proved wrong!  Believe me, I wanted it to gain all the hype in the world!  But I didn't know if they would receive the attention.  Now Egg magazine looks a lot like it used to.  Now they're re-releasing the very sought-after Alba Rosa coats.  Who knows what's next!

~ Love you! x Amiman ~

GC Day #27: Did you ever consider leaving Gyaru?

     Hello Cuties~  Did you think I had forgotten about this challenge?  Nope!

Did you ever consider leaving Gyaru?

     I'm sure every gal goes through it or at least has had this passing thought:  Will I outgrow Gyaru?  I can say that I've definitely thought of it before.  There were moments, although short lived, where I thought "maybe I should give this up".  Usually those thoughts were brought on by my own insecurities.  But like I said, these were passing moments.

     Back when I was in college, when I was truly expressing myself without a care, Gyaru gave me so much happiness; and I dared anyone to take it away from me.  It was the first time that I felt more confident in my skin.  Now I won't say that I was 100% confident but it was better with the discovery of Gyaru.

     I think everyone's biggest concern is being considered too old for Gyaru.  We have this learned idea that specific things have restrictions.  We're taught to think things like color or aspects like characters, bows and glitter are meant for certain ages.  I've noticed, and I'm sure many of you have seen that individuals that enjoy fashions like Gyaru or Lolita get a bit of backlash.  They're told "you're too old for dresses like that" or "you look like a child / ridiculous".  There have been a few times where I felt a little old for styles like himekaji or specifically the Princess Melody prints and other character oriented prints.

     However, to combat those thoughts, I think back to all of those awesome and inspiring pictures of "gal mamas" or older women in gal.  I remember coming across pictures like those and thinking "huh, that's so cool, they still stick to their true style even once they get older and have kids!"  They still carry that carefree, (maybe less) wild, and sexy nature.  Not to mention all of the inspiration of the gaijin gyaru community with older gals remaining Gyaru.  I hope to keep loving this lifestyle and expressing myself through my makeup and fashion!  Have you ever considered leaving Gyaru?

~ Love you! x Amiman ~

GC Day 26: What do you wear when not in Gyaru?

     Hello Cuties~  Trust me I have not forgotten about this 30 day challenge!  I'm nearing the end now!  Today's topic is a rather relevant one if you ask me.  I say that because lately a lot of gaijin gals have been speaking on the idea of "lifestyle Gyaru" and whether they consider themselves full-time Gals or not.  Since so many have been talking about dressing up whenever life or time permits it, I wonder what do Gals wear when they're not in Gyaru?

     Well if you're wondering about me, it varies.  I'd describe my non-gyaru style as a mash up of preppy, trendy, and casual.  I don't know if that really makes sense in words lol.  Before I sat down to write this post, my answer was "K-fashion" or Korean fashion.  And that's still pretty accurate; it is a style I tend to do outside of Gyaru.  (Also let us not forget about Larme hehe)  But that doesn't fully capture what I wear all the time.  But you know what does fully capture my style?  Photos, of course!

     This is my go to: a tank / tee, denim shorts, denim jacket, choker and sometimes fishnets.  I like to switch up between denim shorts and pleated skirts for this look too.

     Recently this has been a casual look for me.  Especially with how hot it's been ε-(´・｀) ﾌ

Larme-ish stuff you've seen plenty of lol

     * That's me on the right.  Typical me in the fall: sweater, skirt, bootssss!

     When I described my style as preppy, this is what I had in mind.  I suppose it could be "preppy-sporty"?

      Most of the time, I may wear things in the likes of gyaru substyles, just with no makeup.  This could easily be himekaji, right?

     So that basically sums up my style outside of Gyaru!  These are the types of things I wear when I'm not in Gyaru.  Was this something you expected?  Is it fitting?  I wonder how this is for individuals reading this that do not know me personally. (•᷉ ε ू•᷈,)

   
     I'm not that person who is Gyaru 24/7, although I wish I could.  Are you a full-time Gal?  If not, what do you wear when you're not in Gyaru?

~ Love you! x Amiman ~