Gal has a bit of a bad rep for being expensive.
With the cost of clothing, hair, makeup, nails and all the other odds and ends, many people still think that Gal is an unobtainable look if you're lacking in funds but I am here to tell you that that is a LIE.
If you are a human-person who has access to clothing shops, makeup, hair tools and electricity; my friend you are already halfway. Out of any other subculture, Gal is the most easily accessible style out there and can be done on an absolutely minimal budget.
It never hurts to be sensible with your cash so here are here are my 5 easy-peasy tips on how to do Gyaru on a broke-bitch budget.
Don't Buy Really Trendy Items
When looking for new pieces to buy for your wardrobe, one of my most useful tips in the long run is to never buy anything that is too trendy. Most young women in Tokyo are very trend conscious and the hottest trend around will be gone within 3 months, never to surface again in fear of looking dated.
Colours, patterns, silhouette and up-to-the-minute details can make an item date very quickly so if you must have that trendy item, try and look for it a different colourway, look for a different pattern and choose something that will fit what you already have in your wardrobe. This will give the item more style longevity so that you can wear it regardless of when you bought it.
The same applies to colours; if you want to buy a jacket that you can wear all year round, avoid seasonal-specific colours like burgundy, mustard and teal and try a neutral alternative.
Look For Off-Brand Clothing
Do not feel like you are limited to only buying clothing from gal-specific brands. All of the charisma and influencer Gals buy clothes from Western fast fashion brands like Forever 21 and H&M as well as Instagram select-shops. Luckily most of us outside of Japan have access to these places too so don't be afraid to have a look in fast fashion stores or check out your own local shops.
To add to that, in Japan, price does not equal quality. I have fallen out of love with so many gal-specific brands here because their poor quality just doesn't justify the high cost *cough* Datura *cough*! At this point in time, Gal and mainstream fashion overlap so it is easy to find cheap and good quality alternatives from cheaper Japanese brands like Spinns, Wego and Sevens. They carry clothing for lots of different subcultures but it is also really easy to find gal-able pieces there too.
If you know how to style yourself, brands don't mean shit so with this in mind, find some cheap off-brand stuff. It's not like Gal brands aren't ripping off items from the runway anyway👀.
Prioritize Eye Makeup Products
Makeup is probably the most vital aspect of Gal style. The makeup helps set it apart from any other person wearing a flashy outfit, and the eye makeup is the most distinctive part of it, therefore it makes sense to prioritize eye products. Here are the absolute essentials:
A Fine-Tipped Black Eyeliner:
Eyeliner can be used to create a new lash line which can create a totally new eye shape. The variety of different shapes you can create is limited by the size of the brush you're using so in this case it is better to use one that's as thin as possible. We recommend
Epic Ink Liner by NYX or 1-day Tattoo Eyeliner by K Palette. They both have thin paint-brush style bristles and are absolutely idiot-proof, sweat proof and waterproof.
A Brow Colour:
Depending on the colour you need to use, a brow colour can have 2 or 3 different uses other that the one intended! NYX's 3-in-1 Brow Pencil includes a retractable brow pencil, powder and matching mascara which means you not only have everything you need to create perfect, soft brows but also an eyeshadow and a nose contour, thanks to the powder.
Lash Glue:
There are two kinds; latex and non-latex. While latex glues are easy to remove from your natural and false lashes, it carries allergy risks, smells like musty dick and unsticks easily. Eylure's Lashfix is my favourite latex-based lash glue with it's surprising staying power, Non-latex on the other hand doesn't run the risk of a latex allergy and will ensure your lashes stay on all day. The cons are that it is hard to remove from your natural lashes and your falsies, which reduces the amount of wear-time you can get out of a pair of falsies. D.UP Eyelashes Fixer is a firm favourite amongst myself and other non-latex peers. You will need to weigh up which you prioritize more; a cheaper expense on lashes or sticking power.
False Lashes:
When it comes to false lashes, don't be tempted to buy single pairs from your local pharmacy because they are expensive. Amazon have some great quality lash multipacks like these ones for under $5! If you can stretch your budget a little further, we recommend Japanese lash brand Diamond which you can find on Amazon here.
Circle Lenses:
While yearly contact lenses for cosmetic purposes used to be easy to find in Japan, recently it has become almost impossible. They've been replaced by daily lenses which is better for the eyes but not for the bank account. You can pick up yearly lenses from reputable sites like Pinky Paradise for around $20! Just make sure that you stock up on lens solution and a little container for them to live in.
Have Low Maintenance Hair
Hair can take your look to the next level but it doesn't have to be expensive. If you want to work with your natural hair colour, get long layers cut in so your hair sits nicely when it's curled. If your hair is short, braid one side for a fake undercut.
If colouring is an option, a super low maintenance dye-job would be a balayage. This is where colour is hand painted onto the hair in a gradation and it's a great way to lighten your hair while working with your natural or existing colour. It adds dimension without you having to worry about obvious regrowth which means you can drastically reduce the amount of times you need to visit the salon for touch ups! Win win!
Alternatively if you're feeling brave, you can put your name down to be a volunteer hair model. You can get your hair done either totally free or for a small price. Check on your local beauty schools' websites to find out if you can be a model for their trainee hair students.
While you're at it, you can take a look at our Rainbow Gyaru Hair Inspiration board on Pinterest for some inspiration!
Edit Your Wardrobe
We have all felt guilty for those pieces in our wardrobe that we impulse-bought but never got round to wearing because it just didn't go with anything and we didn't like it that much after all so when considering building or adding items to your gal wardrobe, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have other items in your wardrobe that you can wear it with?
- Does the colour compliment or follow the colour pallet of your wardrobe?
- Can you see yourself wearing it more than a handful of times?
- Does it match or can be worn with other styles that you have in your wardrobe?
If your answer is no to any of those questions, seriously consider not buying it. If you can create a cohesive wardrobe where most pieces can be worn together then combining pieces to make a great outfit is not only simple but cheap.
x
There we have it guys; my top 5 top tips for doing Gal on the cheap. When I first moved to Japan, I would buy from Gal Mecca, Shibuya 109 exclusively but not only did it drain my bank account, it also mentally limited me on what clothing I perceived had Gal potential.
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