When a client asked me if gyaru hair was just “big curls and pink,” I couldn’t help but compare the comment to saying Italian cuisine is just pasta. It’s so much more than that. Gyaru styling is a Japanese street fashion movement and styling hair is just a part of the whole outfit. The range is wild! You have teased blonde explosions, soft lavender curls with leopard bows, and more. Somehow, it all comes together under a shared philosophy of more is more, but make it cute.
What I find most interesting about gyaru hair is commitment. The styles don’t just happen. The women who wear gyaru styles well, think about how color, volume, and accessories work together as a single.
I respect that level of intent regardless of the aesthetic. I had a client years ago who showed me a photo with a gyaru style that we both loved and, before we even picked up any scissors, we spent almost two hours talking about how we could make it work with her hair density and her lifestyle. That conversation really changed my perception of “costume” hair versus hair that actually belongs to someone. Those 15 styles look great because the bold styles compliment the fact that they will be on a real person, and that’s what makes them worth analyzing.
#1: From Straight Pink to Bouncy Curls, Same Hair, Two Moods
This shows how much styling can change the appearance of hair even when the cut remains the same. On the left, the hairstyle looks simple and casual while wearing the pink tint on the ends of the hair, which is the kind of look you would wear on a Tuesday to run errands. On the right, she also has the same haircut, but it is styled into a soft, high, voluminous updo which is a big energy shift. The pink looks different if the hair is straight vs bouncy curls. A lot of people are surprised by this with colored hair. If you easily get bored, this is a strong case for learning how to curl hair rather than changing the haircut. The right side is super time consuming so it is definitely more of a weekend look but it’s great that with one cut you can have so many different options for styling.
#2: Blonde-to-Pink Gradient with That Big, Loose Curl
This color looks amazing in person and is even more photogenic, which is often not true for pink hair. The way the darker roots seamlessly blend into the blonde and then finish with a super soft pink is gorgeous. There is a natural progression for your eyes to follow and that prevents it from looking like a costume. The curls really do contribute a lot. They are giving the color some dimension that it would really lack if the hair was all flat. In order to achieve that kind of volume without extensions, you’d want medium to thick hair, and to be honest, the curls would need to be refreshed fairly regularly to maintain that bouncy shape. The color will fade over time, but you’ll get some nice wear out of it before you need a touch-up, so there is built in grace period.
#3: Soft Lavender Curls and a Leopard Bow That Somehow Works
Lavender hair combined with a leopard bow is a wild style choice that I honestly did not expect to come together so nicely, but now I understand that not everyone has to stick to basic dress codes. The curls mean that the lavender in this look isn’t too sweet while the bow also contributes some attitude to this which is super cool. If this is the hair color that you’d like to replicate, this also means that you can expect to have color safe shampoo and regular root touch ups as your hair grows. If you have a warm skin tone then this shade should match your skin tone really nicely so I get it. Most face shapes are flattered by this cut but if you have quite round cheeks then you might want to keep the curls looser to elongate the look.
#4: Golden Ringlets with a Floral Headband
If you like the feminine storybook style, this is a great example. The ringlet curls are well-defined, but not overly crunchy, so whoever did these curls used a great product and knew not to touch them too much. The flower headband adds to the storybook vibe, and also pulls the hair back just enough to open the face, while keeping some volume at the crown. This style is meant to look effortless, but it takes a lot of skill to do all the curls this well, so if you’re not there yet with your heat tools, be sure to practice on a day you’re not going anywhere.
#5: Strawberry Pink Cascading Curls with All the Accessories
From the color to the volume to the giant bow to the accessories, this look is absolutely maximalist. The key is nothing conflicts, everything complements. The hair is a perfect balance and the cut underneath is assisting the structure. The cut gives the hair a place to be, making the volume purposeful rather than random. You’ve got to have the density to pull this off, or high quality extensions whether clipped or not. The intensity of this look is refreshing, because the only thing worse than a bold style is an apologetic one. The pink color is high maintenance, but the cut is actually low maintenance because the layers grow out as they should.
#6: Warm Caramel Curls Anchored by One Great Flower
I like this updo because it shows that there can be an intention behind crown volume. It is not just an afterthought from the need to make updo volume practical. A lot of volume can lead to tangles if there isn’t a lot of purpose or movement coming from the curls. Here, the movement is coming from such a height that the curls coming down from the volume really pop. The warm caramel tones are lovely and are warm without being brassy, so the colorist definitely knew how to use toner. The big floral clip is awesome because it adds to the whole look without being too much on the hair. With this amount of hairspray, it’s not super practical to wear on a Wednesday. You would definitely style this for an event that goes with the hair though, it really is stunning.
#7: That Bubblegum Bob
I really like blunt bobs and this one is really well cut; the weight line sits at the perfect height to stop those ends from flipping out and looking too thin. The bangs are good too, they’re dense enough to make a statement but not so much that they’re going to overpower smaller features. And as for the color? This kind of saturation in bubblegum pink is a lifestyle, expect to be rinsing with cool water, sulfate-free, root touch ups every 3 to 4 weeks to keep it this vivid. It does fade to a dusty rose which some people like so you might appreciate the in-between stage too. The density of this hair really helps the bob look full and healthy which really sells the whole thing.
#8: Pink Curls Meet Leopard Print, Round Two
I do see the similarity in color palette with other styles, but execution is different here. In Gyaru styling, there is a bouncier, doll-like effect since the curls are tighter and more uniform. Regarding the leopard print bow, I think it is big enough to compliment the hair, especially since it looks so voluminous. Overall, if you want your hair to wear the bow, then it is also going to be fine to have flat hair. The pink is bright and will need regular maintenance to keep it fresh, and the curls alone will take between 30 to 40 minutes of your time. This look is for someone who really enjoys the process, and not just the end result, of preparing.
#9: High Pigtails with Clips That Actually Add Something
The way these pigtails are placed also makes them functional, as they are positioned high to raise everything to keep it all looking more polished. The aim is for each pigtail to have plenty of volume, and the clips scattered throughout the hair do more than just decorate, they add character by breaking up what might be one uniform style. They are super flattering for heart-shaped faces as they help shift focus away from the chin. My one honest feedback about these styles is that high pigtails tend to loosen and look heavy, particularly with thick hair. So it’s a good idea to keep some spare hair elastics for touch-ups.
#10: Blonde Curls Dressed Up with Roses
These curls look a lot more relaxed than some of the tighter styles in this collection. The more relaxed curls create a more neutral look rather than something that may look too costume-y. These curls look much more wearable than something you’d wear out in public that would draw a lot of attention to your hair. The large rose accents add to the design of the hair and don’t distract from it because they go with the more relaxed curl pattern. I see a nice shine in the hair which is an indication of regular upkeep with toning and deep conditioning and it works really well with this blonde. Without this upkeep, the hair would look dry and brassy which is what is needed to make it look beautiful.
#11: Golden Spirals with a Pink Ribbon Bow
Tight spiral curls have a bounce and energy that looser waves simply can’t replicate. The springiness of the curls makes the hair look alive, almost as if the hair is moving in the picture. The straightened hair just doesn’t catch the light in as rich and warm of a golden color as the curls do. That little pink floral bow sitting off to the side is a detail that shifts the whole vibe from “glam” to “glam but she is fun about it”. To get spirals this defined, you would need a small-barrel curling iron, and the patience to wrap small sections consistently, which is time-consuming but the payoff is obvious.
#12: The Teased Blonde with Dark Roots
This style is very flashy, probably not something I would recommend for day to day wear. From far away, it will stand out with the large cloud-like shape. The enormous volume definitely comes from teasing at the roots. The dark roots create a high amount of contrast which is important. Without the dark roots, the blonde would just be a wall of color. That shadow at the base with the roots definitely brings some more depth creating the illusion that it is more purposeful. Realistically speaking though, this much teasing will roughen up the hair so much that it is going to break and mat it up to the point where brushing is going to be extremely difficult. You will definitely have to commit to this hairstyle for the whole event. Not everyone will think this is fun, but for the right person, and the right event, nothing else would be suitable.
#13: Golden Curls and Flowers, Easygoing Version
This flower collection has hairstyles for everyone, but for me this one stands out the most. The curls are the perfect size, and the separate pieces add a touch of the “undone” look; very chic. The warm gold hue looks best on those with olives and mediums skins tones, which makes this the best style for them! The side flowers add the perfect touch of color and look beautiful without being too loud. Some may not be able to say why this style is so amazing, but they will just know it is. That type of appreciation is the best part about non statement looks like this one.
#14: Copper Ponytail with Leopard Everything
That copper toned hair is amazing! It’s refreshing to see a new color – especially one that isn’t pink or blonde. Lovely ponytail! It makes the most of the copper in your hair and all those highlights. The waves add some extra styling without extra work, and the leopard prints even more gyaru. The color complemented the look and didn’t make it a basic ponytail! Colored hair needs maintenance; I recommend a depositing conditioner to keep the color from going brassy. The added height of a high ponytail is especially flattering to oval or longer face shapes!
#15: Chestnut Ringlets with Sweet Little Clips
The most wearable look in the collection includes a lot of gyaru influence. However, the chestnut shade is more of a natural brunette, as opposed to over the top “fashion hair.” The ringlets combined with the volume also give a more playful feel than just a standard blow-dry. I like the black and pink floral slides. They add a nice touch without being big enough to make a statement. If you have thick, wavy hair, you’re halfway there to achieving this look. A lot of it is just about getting the right iron to define the curls and strategizing the position of your clips. This is actually a compliment, but this is the look I’d be least concerned about sending someone to work with on a Monday.
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