This blog isn't cute. I'm too old to be cute. I am however, gyaru, and I am opinionated. That, according to the standards of the internet, is enough to have a blog. I've been involved in western gyaru since '05, and I know everyone who is or was anyone in the western community. You wanna know secrets? I've got your secrets. 
Gal Glossary
June 30th, 2009 by Coco received No Comments »I know there are some who read my posts who have no clue what I am talking about, and there are some who may want a better grasp on things other people talk about. So I formed this small list of general definitions. Add, subtract, comment.
They’re alphabetical! 
Circle Lens – Contact lenses with a dark outside circle, which makes your eyes look bigger. All makeup styles in gal focus on making your eyes look big, so these are commonly used. Some people feel that this is a quick fix for Western gyaru, and no focus is put on the rest of the makeup when these are used. I’ve seen this done as well. Some only use colors like brown not to appear too outrageous. I personally want the brightest, most over the top color possible. It’s just not worth the trouble just to have lighter brown eyes.
Deco-den – The art of decorating various objects with rhinestones, clay, stickers, or other small things to achieve a unique and overdone everyday use item. Cell phones (ketai), handheld mirrors, and boxes are most common, although I’ve seen laptops and such done as well. I’m personally much too lazy to take the time to decorate in tiny detail, but for those of you who have iron patience, it’s a fun hobby. Nails sometimes fall under the deco category when searching on ebay or etsy.
Gal Circle - or “gal-sa” is a formal group of gals who depending on the structure of the group, create and promote events with night clubs or organizations (event circle or ive-cir), or attend said events and generally socialize (nago-cir). Here in the west, events are coordinated with anime conventions, and attendance is still fairly low. Joining is by application, and is governed similar to a sorority. Men either have separate circles that plan events with the female only circle, or the circles are co-ed.
Gyaru - (sometimes called Gal) a style focused around an overdone, iconic image of Western pop culture. Hair is big and curly, usually blonde or honey brown, skin is at least a warm glow, if not a solid tan color. Nails are long and extremely decorated, makeup is perfect, with big eyes and nude lips. Clothing is usually overly sexy and/or youthful. There are many variations to this style, including Hime and Manba.
Gyaru-O - the male equivalent of gyaru. Long spikey hair (called a wolf haircut in Japan), clothes are well fitted with attention to details such as jewelry and shoes. I’ll be honest, I suck at defining this one. But I looked through a Men’s Egg to try to get a good idea of what to say and finally thought some of them were cute! I was never attracted to Gyaru-O before this. LOL
Hime-Gyaru – Hime meaning princess, is a fairy tale done only the way a gyaru can. HUGE curly hair, sweet and fun dresses (not ballgowns, more like tea party). Deco everything, crown everything.
Manba - gyaru done to the other extreme. Dark tan, white or unusual color hair, white eye makeup and nose stripe, (it’s like makeup contouring overdone) big lashes and contacts. Clothes are neon bright (sometimes black) and very sexy. This is usually the first style people try, and really really suck at. But you really feel like a rebel when you do it right?
Para-Para - coordinated dance routines to techno, eurobeat, and other dance songs. Mostly hand and arm movements, these routines are similar to line dancing, only in that you learn them in clubs, to repeat them in clubs, and everyone does the exact same routine to the song. There are group competitions and para teams both in Japan and in Western countries. Most event circles expect you to know some para, since they compete as well.
Shibuya – a ward of Tokyo, known for gyaru to meet up and shop or go clubbing. Shibuya 109 is here, which is a famous department store among gal.
I might add to this list if I come across something that is used often enough without ever being defined.
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