I have always asked, “What’s your Gyaru story?” whenever I meet someone new and to the people I interview but I never really got the chance to tell you my journey. I might have mentioned it here and there in the past, but it’s something that I never really delved into. After asking you what you wanted to read from me over on my Instagram stories, my Gyaru journey was one of them so let’s take a trip down memory lane to see how it all began…
Gosh, I love himekaji. I was actually thankful that it wasn’t as sunny as it had been because then I was able to wear my new Liz Lisa jumpsuit for my birthday (which I actually bought secondhand – but still “new” in my eyes). I had no idea where my hubby was taking me but he did hint that my jumpsuit would be perfect for it, and it was! We spent the whole day in the sunshine (and some rain) strolling through the countryside and eating afternoon tea in beautiful English manors, and I felt like such a princess. I was definitely treated like one in any case!
As I sit here all bundled up in bed writing up this post I feel nothing but love for the gaijin gyaru community. It’s been exactly a week and I’m still recovering from a very eventful weekend where myself and my QueenE gals (Wib, Kei, Rachel and Danielle) hosted our very first international gyaru meet in the UK, “Gyaru Jubilee”. I couldn’t have been prouder of them and it’s crazy to think that a year’s worth of planning led up to this weekend. How quick it’s gone! So here’s what happened about Gyaru Jubilee (because I know you’re dying to know about the crazy gals and half-naked guys)…
Before Hyper Japan, MCM Expo was the only convention I went to in London but I didn’t enjoy it as much because I wasn’t a cosplayer. It was simply a place where I could meet and hang out with friends but other than that it was pretty, well, boring. But then my girl Chewiee told me about Hyper Japan and my life changed! (Dramatic much, Lizzie?) Here are some of the reasons why I love it so much…
As soon as I stepped out into the sunshine and onto the cobble-stone streets, surrounded by beautiful French architecture, I knew I made the right choice to wear my Clueless inspired outfit (with a gyaru twist, of course!). I’ve got to hand it to my friend Nini who actually persuaded me to wear it, and who also styled my hair in two cute little buns resting on either side of my head. I haven’t felt this cute in so long and was excited to be roaming the winding streets and tasting Bordeaux wine.
I know what you’re thinking – Lizzie, didn’t you already write this post last year? And, well, yes, I did, and it took a lot of back and forth in me deciding whether or not to publish this new post, but the truth is that those goals suited the person I was a year ago. I have since then whittled them down and have truly aligned with the person that I really want to be. The Lizzie that I picture in my dreams.
This goes hand-in-hand with my discovery of Manifestation (AKA Law of Attraction) and now I write down my goals as if they were already true. Gosh the positivity I felt writing this was contagious. I began to believe that I could achieve anything. I stopped rushing to achieve my goals because I knew that I would achieve them when I’m ready for it. I visited the Elan cafe in Knightsbridge when creating this post and the timing was almost perfect. I just knew I had to publish this!
And so… Here goes!
(*Disclaimer: post includes gifted items from MaskTime.)
If there’s one thing you should know about me is that I have a non-existent skin care routine. I know, quelle horreur. My skin is extremely sensitive and I’ve started getting quite a few spots recently due to stress but – like the fairy godmother – a sheet mask box from Mask Time appeared at my door with a choice of 4 masks inside. I was excited at the thought of trying these out as I have never tried sheet masks before, but I was worried that it’ll give me a horrible rash or a reaction of some kind. Luckily the kit they sent out was a starter kit which is perfect for gals like me who have no skin regime. So I bit the bullet and just did it – and here’s my MaskTime sheet mask kit review!
Disclaimer: this is a gifted post because YAY SWEETS. Thanks Japan Candy Box!
Okay so I’m in heaven right now: I’m currently chomping away on some rice crackers as I write this post, and I can’t guarantee there would be any left by the time I hit “publish” (or, to be more accurate, “schedule”). Yep, I’m back again with another review of Japan Candy Box* and this time I’m having a lil’ taste of their Summer Fruits Collection! I’m also doing a giveaway with them so scroll to the bottom of this post to win some Japanese candies. Right, now let’s have a look at what I’ve been munching on…
Disclaimer: this post contains items gifted to me from Blush Atelier, who helped me in my journey to body positivity.
Three girls are standing in front of a mirror; one exclaims “god my hips are huge!”, another says “oh god please I hate my calves”, and the third scoffs “you guys can wear halters, check out man shoulders”. They all turn to the fourth girl, Cady Heron (played by Lindsay Lohan) and she hurriedly blurts out, “I have really bad breath…?”
We’ve all been brought up like those girls in Mean Girls; no matter how perfect our parents tell us we are, we are slowly taught that this is not the case. Society bullies us to believe that there’s always a “flaw” and that we should do all that we can to correct them. Things like having man shoulders, huge hips, or in my case, small breasts.
I felt like we had stepped back in time when Chewiee and I found ourselves in our pj’s watching TV and scrolling on our phones. I can clearly remember the first time we had a sleepover back when we were both students, living in/near London, and at the prime of our Gyaru days. I was so relieved to have found someone who was happy just to laze about and relax (as I get really exhausted after spending a whole day shopping in London) and it has been part of our sleepover routine ever since. This time, however, we were going to do something different… For the first time in our lives, we were going to try out manba gyaru!
Disclaimer: Ad-Gifted experience courtesy of Bubble Boba.
I first learnt about Bubble Tea when I was a young gyaru in London; I didn’t really know what to expect but I knew that as soon as I accidentally gulped down the tapioca that I was in love. I couldn’t get enough of the squishy balls at the bottom of my cup and soon I was going for bubble tea at every gyaru meet we had. Unfortunately I’ve long moved away from London and my favourite bubble tea cafes, and had lost all hope that I would go again. But, as life would have it, one of my best friends, Amy, introduced me to Bubble Boba, and I was over the moon! And a few weeks ago she invited me to their first ever masterclass and of course I HAD to say yes.
Hey honey bunny, it’s me, your gal Lizzie. It’s been a while since I first made my introduction post – over 8 years, I think – so an update has been waaaaay overdue. I mean, sure, I blog a lot and talk about myself quite a bit (especially about my self doubts) but I think it’s time to re-introduce myself to you.
So hey, I’m Lizzie Bee, and I’m a gyaru fashion and lifestyle blogger from the UK.
When I opened my eyes and felt that rush of inspiration for gyaru, I knew that it was going to be a good day. It was the day where my gyarusa, QueenE, were hosting a Galentine’s Day gyaru meet and my MA*RS outfit was hanging patiently on my wardrobe door. After a few hours I was all made up, head-to-toe in gal, sitting awkwardly in a jam-packed train to Birmingham.
Galentine’s Day (the day before Valentine’s Day where you celebrate with your best gal friends) is fast approaching, and there’s nothing better than getting a lil’ something to remind them how important they are to you! To make it even more special, why not purchase a Galentine’s gift from a small business? Not only will you be giving something more personal, but you’re also supporting an individual (and, speaking from experience, it really does make their day). These ideas would be perfect for your gyaru friend or just those interested in the wonderful world of Japanese fashion.
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