Post by Konnyaku on Nov 22, 2005 20:55:46 GMT 6
Credits to author:
Unless you are donning casual lolita, or lolita-inspired for the day, gothic lolita and its variations should be worn with a complete look in mind. That means not only having a well-coordinated outfit, but hair, makeup, and sometimes even your nails to match. After all, who wants to wear their $350 Victorian Maiden dress with their hair just tied back in a scrunchie?
Of course, there are some general tips that you should keep in mind for wearing gothic lolita clothing, and for the rest of your life as well.
General Tips For Gothic Lolitas
-Good grooming is important. Combing your hair, brushing your teeth, washing your face... all the stuff your mother wanted you to do as a kid should stay with you for life. Have a clean, neat appearance to match your lovely clothes.
-Iron your clothes before you go out. Wrinkles don't look flattering on anyone, and the outfit will model better when all the seams have been properly ironed in place.
-DO NOT SLOUCH EVER. Looking modest and cute is one thing. Hunching over is an entirely different matter. When you slouch, especially for photos, you are basically saying, "I really don't want anyone to look at me", which kind of negates the purpose of wearing awesome clothing. Slouching makes you look bad and it stretches your clothing out of shape. You don't need to stand straight as a ramrod, but sit, stand, and walk with elegance and confidence.
-Manners are important. If you are out in public, people are going to pay attention to you because of your outfit. The last thing you want to appear as is a rowdy, annoying teenybopper. There's no need to break out the British accent everytime you open your mouth, but use your good manners, be polite and considerate towards others. You're more likely to recieve that treatment in return, and open minds regarding alternative fashion. I've also found that if you are being polite and mannerly, others will defend you when some idiot gets it in his/her mind to poke fun at you.
-If someone is being rude to you, deal with them with greater maturity than they show you. Nothing is more frustrating for someone who is being a childish tease than being rebuffed by a cool, adult response. And if someone keeps hassling you, talk to security or the police. They are there to prevent this sort of thing from happening. If worse comes to worse, use that parasol for something else besides a sunshade.
Now! Onto the looks!
The best way to decide on how you would like to do your makeup and hair is based on the particular variant of gothic lolita fashion that you are wearing. So without further ado, here are some basic guidelines for:
Gothic and Lolita Beauty
A general idea to keep in mind is that not every face is the same, and not everyone can wear the same look. If you have a round face, you will apply your blush differently from someone with high cheekbones. Someone who has a tannish complexion like me, can't really wear certain lipsticks because they will come out too orangey. These tips are meant as basic guidelines for you to work with according to the makeup regieme that you've already worked out for yourself. Also, keep in mind that overdone makeup usually looks tacky unless you are deliberately creating an extravagant look for a photoshoot or a club night. In general, makeup should be used to enhance and not "paint on" your face. Plus, weaaring a lot of makeup usually gets uncomfortable over time, and you constantly have to refresh it... so just show some restraint when you reach for that eyeliner, kids.
Gothic Lolita/Aristocrat-- Some Western lolitas use full-on goth makeup for this look, which is fine, as long as it isn't overdone to the point of mall-goth. The key to this look is creating contrast, a blend of lights and darks which harmonize well. Those who are very fair of face will find this easy, since their complexion is already the base for a good light/dark motif. Other gothic lolitas who have a darker complexion can consider using foundations or powder to lighten their hue a few shades, but should be discreet with this, since nothing looks worse than fake, pasty-face.
Other things to keep in mind:
-Nicely arched eyebrows that have been darkened
-Dark brown/black hair (not rigid, but it works best with the look)
-Dark, rich lip colors (rich reds and blacks). The lips should look rich and full, so invest in quality glosses and lipsticks. Also, make sure that the shade works well with your features, since dark, full makeup looks very noticeable and dramatic, and bad color choices will show up doubly.
-Dark, rich eye shadows and eye liners, applied to create a mysterious air. The shape of your eye will determine how you apply the shadow, but you generally want to create an air of rich intrigue. The gothic lolita look itself is meant to be very asture and aristocratic (think how Mana looks in a lot of his photoshoots).
-Blush should accent facial contures for a dramatic look.
-False eyelashes are often used.
-Nail polish should match the lip color. Some of the Gothic Lolita Bibles show very elaborate nail designs including sliver accents on black, and dangling charms. This is up the discretion of the individual, but just make sure that you use good taste.
-Hair can either be elaborately coiffed curls, or straight, elegant cuts that flatter the face. The "hime" style cut is very popular for gothic lolitas, and it works well on those who have an ovaluar face and distinct bone structure. Wigs are also an option for those who don't want to change their everyday look.
-The overall key to this look is elegance. Since gothic lolita is a very elegant way of dressing, your look should match your dress.
-Gothic Aristocratic makeup is similar to Gothic Lolita, but it is more "mature". Nails and hair will reflect this in being somewhat less elaborate and more sophisticated.
Classic/Sweet/Country Lolita-- The sweet lolita look is much more "girly" than the gothic lolita. Makeup is usually more simple and fresh, and hair is sometimes more fanciful. The sweet category of lolita is meant to create more of a dollish look, while classic lolita is more elegant and refined. Country lolita is fresh and simple. The key to any of these looks are delicate feminity and natural beauty, so makeup should not be as elaborate as the gothic lolita look.
For Classic Lolitas
-This is the "mature" variant of sweet lolita.
-Simple eye liner, minimal use of neutral-toned eyeshadows
-Elegant, well-maincured nails with rose-tone shades or French manicure
-Neutral/rose-toned lip colors. Usually the darkest shade is a deep coral.
-Hairstyles are similar to those of gothic lolita but are more natural and relaxed.
-Light, delicate blush to create a refined look.
For Country Lolitas
-This is the most simple and innocent variant of sweet lolita
-Makeup is VERY simple, usually only neutral eyeliner and lipgloss
-Overall air is a "country" feel, fresh-faced, gentle, not complex.
-Hair is usually worn in frizzy curls or cute, short, cuts. If hair is worn long and straight, pin it in simple buns or braids.
-Nails are simple and natural.
For Sweet Lolitas
-This is the most dolly/girly variant
-Makeup is still simple, but shows a very coquettish edge
-Simple eyeliner, pastel/neutral shadows, applied to create an innocent, wide-eyed look.
-False eyelashes can be used, but are shorter and less "sweepy" than those used in gothic lolita.
-Nails are usually pretty elaborate, with pastel colors, accents, stickers, gems, dangling charms...
-Hair is more "childish" than gothic lolita, but just as elaborate. Semi-barrel curls, frizzy curls, and Shirley Temple curls are quite common, paired with ribbons, barettes, and other elaborate hair accessories. Wigs are often used to create the perfect look.
-Blush might be pinkish and applied to create a more doll-like appearance.
-Overall, the sweet lolita look is meant to make an ordinary person into sugary, delectable dessert.
Kodona-- This is the "pageboy" look of gothic lolita, but is worn by both genders. It's not really the equivalent of gothic lolita since the style is more playful and mischevious. Makeup can be used, but minimally, since the kodona represents the active little boy who teases gothic lolitas and flips their petticoats up. Hairstyles are usually more boyish, short in length, no longer than the pageboy haircut.
Visual Gothic-- Sometimes people crossover gothic lolita into the visual kei fashions. Because visual kei is highly... visual, the variants of this are too many and complex. In other words, you can get tips on this in communities which are dedicated to visual kei. :X
Other good resources for gothic lolita beauty tips:
Gothic Lolita Beauty-- scans on Avant Gauche of the mini-section in the Gothic Lolita Bibles on how to accomplish certain looks. (All the Gothic Lolita Bibles have certain amounts of "style tips" in their beauty sections, and so do some KERA magazines).
Unless you are donning casual lolita, or lolita-inspired for the day, gothic lolita and its variations should be worn with a complete look in mind. That means not only having a well-coordinated outfit, but hair, makeup, and sometimes even your nails to match. After all, who wants to wear their $350 Victorian Maiden dress with their hair just tied back in a scrunchie?
Of course, there are some general tips that you should keep in mind for wearing gothic lolita clothing, and for the rest of your life as well.
General Tips For Gothic Lolitas
-Good grooming is important. Combing your hair, brushing your teeth, washing your face... all the stuff your mother wanted you to do as a kid should stay with you for life. Have a clean, neat appearance to match your lovely clothes.
-Iron your clothes before you go out. Wrinkles don't look flattering on anyone, and the outfit will model better when all the seams have been properly ironed in place.
-DO NOT SLOUCH EVER. Looking modest and cute is one thing. Hunching over is an entirely different matter. When you slouch, especially for photos, you are basically saying, "I really don't want anyone to look at me", which kind of negates the purpose of wearing awesome clothing. Slouching makes you look bad and it stretches your clothing out of shape. You don't need to stand straight as a ramrod, but sit, stand, and walk with elegance and confidence.
-Manners are important. If you are out in public, people are going to pay attention to you because of your outfit. The last thing you want to appear as is a rowdy, annoying teenybopper. There's no need to break out the British accent everytime you open your mouth, but use your good manners, be polite and considerate towards others. You're more likely to recieve that treatment in return, and open minds regarding alternative fashion. I've also found that if you are being polite and mannerly, others will defend you when some idiot gets it in his/her mind to poke fun at you.
-If someone is being rude to you, deal with them with greater maturity than they show you. Nothing is more frustrating for someone who is being a childish tease than being rebuffed by a cool, adult response. And if someone keeps hassling you, talk to security or the police. They are there to prevent this sort of thing from happening. If worse comes to worse, use that parasol for something else besides a sunshade.
Now! Onto the looks!
The best way to decide on how you would like to do your makeup and hair is based on the particular variant of gothic lolita fashion that you are wearing. So without further ado, here are some basic guidelines for:
Gothic and Lolita Beauty
A general idea to keep in mind is that not every face is the same, and not everyone can wear the same look. If you have a round face, you will apply your blush differently from someone with high cheekbones. Someone who has a tannish complexion like me, can't really wear certain lipsticks because they will come out too orangey. These tips are meant as basic guidelines for you to work with according to the makeup regieme that you've already worked out for yourself. Also, keep in mind that overdone makeup usually looks tacky unless you are deliberately creating an extravagant look for a photoshoot or a club night. In general, makeup should be used to enhance and not "paint on" your face. Plus, weaaring a lot of makeup usually gets uncomfortable over time, and you constantly have to refresh it... so just show some restraint when you reach for that eyeliner, kids.
Gothic Lolita/Aristocrat-- Some Western lolitas use full-on goth makeup for this look, which is fine, as long as it isn't overdone to the point of mall-goth. The key to this look is creating contrast, a blend of lights and darks which harmonize well. Those who are very fair of face will find this easy, since their complexion is already the base for a good light/dark motif. Other gothic lolitas who have a darker complexion can consider using foundations or powder to lighten their hue a few shades, but should be discreet with this, since nothing looks worse than fake, pasty-face.
Other things to keep in mind:
-Nicely arched eyebrows that have been darkened
-Dark brown/black hair (not rigid, but it works best with the look)
-Dark, rich lip colors (rich reds and blacks). The lips should look rich and full, so invest in quality glosses and lipsticks. Also, make sure that the shade works well with your features, since dark, full makeup looks very noticeable and dramatic, and bad color choices will show up doubly.
-Dark, rich eye shadows and eye liners, applied to create a mysterious air. The shape of your eye will determine how you apply the shadow, but you generally want to create an air of rich intrigue. The gothic lolita look itself is meant to be very asture and aristocratic (think how Mana looks in a lot of his photoshoots).
-Blush should accent facial contures for a dramatic look.
-False eyelashes are often used.
-Nail polish should match the lip color. Some of the Gothic Lolita Bibles show very elaborate nail designs including sliver accents on black, and dangling charms. This is up the discretion of the individual, but just make sure that you use good taste.
-Hair can either be elaborately coiffed curls, or straight, elegant cuts that flatter the face. The "hime" style cut is very popular for gothic lolitas, and it works well on those who have an ovaluar face and distinct bone structure. Wigs are also an option for those who don't want to change their everyday look.
-The overall key to this look is elegance. Since gothic lolita is a very elegant way of dressing, your look should match your dress.
-Gothic Aristocratic makeup is similar to Gothic Lolita, but it is more "mature". Nails and hair will reflect this in being somewhat less elaborate and more sophisticated.
Classic/Sweet/Country Lolita-- The sweet lolita look is much more "girly" than the gothic lolita. Makeup is usually more simple and fresh, and hair is sometimes more fanciful. The sweet category of lolita is meant to create more of a dollish look, while classic lolita is more elegant and refined. Country lolita is fresh and simple. The key to any of these looks are delicate feminity and natural beauty, so makeup should not be as elaborate as the gothic lolita look.
For Classic Lolitas
-This is the "mature" variant of sweet lolita.
-Simple eye liner, minimal use of neutral-toned eyeshadows
-Elegant, well-maincured nails with rose-tone shades or French manicure
-Neutral/rose-toned lip colors. Usually the darkest shade is a deep coral.
-Hairstyles are similar to those of gothic lolita but are more natural and relaxed.
-Light, delicate blush to create a refined look.
For Country Lolitas
-This is the most simple and innocent variant of sweet lolita
-Makeup is VERY simple, usually only neutral eyeliner and lipgloss
-Overall air is a "country" feel, fresh-faced, gentle, not complex.
-Hair is usually worn in frizzy curls or cute, short, cuts. If hair is worn long and straight, pin it in simple buns or braids.
-Nails are simple and natural.
For Sweet Lolitas
-This is the most dolly/girly variant
-Makeup is still simple, but shows a very coquettish edge
-Simple eyeliner, pastel/neutral shadows, applied to create an innocent, wide-eyed look.
-False eyelashes can be used, but are shorter and less "sweepy" than those used in gothic lolita.
-Nails are usually pretty elaborate, with pastel colors, accents, stickers, gems, dangling charms...
-Hair is more "childish" than gothic lolita, but just as elaborate. Semi-barrel curls, frizzy curls, and Shirley Temple curls are quite common, paired with ribbons, barettes, and other elaborate hair accessories. Wigs are often used to create the perfect look.
-Blush might be pinkish and applied to create a more doll-like appearance.
-Overall, the sweet lolita look is meant to make an ordinary person into sugary, delectable dessert.
Kodona-- This is the "pageboy" look of gothic lolita, but is worn by both genders. It's not really the equivalent of gothic lolita since the style is more playful and mischevious. Makeup can be used, but minimally, since the kodona represents the active little boy who teases gothic lolitas and flips their petticoats up. Hairstyles are usually more boyish, short in length, no longer than the pageboy haircut.
Visual Gothic-- Sometimes people crossover gothic lolita into the visual kei fashions. Because visual kei is highly... visual, the variants of this are too many and complex. In other words, you can get tips on this in communities which are dedicated to visual kei. :X
Other good resources for gothic lolita beauty tips:
Gothic Lolita Beauty-- scans on Avant Gauche of the mini-section in the Gothic Lolita Bibles on how to accomplish certain looks. (All the Gothic Lolita Bibles have certain amounts of "style tips" in their beauty sections, and so do some KERA magazines).
