Discovering Harajuku Hairstyles For Guys

Finding your own personal style today isn't that easy. The one place where individuality and personal style come together is in Japan. Harajuku, an area in Tokyo, is the birth place of an urban cult. It is the center stage for girls and boys to express themselves through fashion that has become internationally known. Besides the way they dress, their hairstyles, known as Harajuku hairstyles, are provocative, glamorous, trendy, and at times frightening.

This fashion style is unique in that it ranges from punk, gothic, hip hop to Anime characters. It is a mix of bright and dark in the hair as well as mix of lengths and textures. These hairstyles are always eye catching and usually extreme. They carry the hairstyle with extreme fashions to match.

No two people have the same hairstyle, which is what makes it so unique and personalized. Everyone that chooses this style has the chance to play with their hair and create a look that is truly their own. For fans of Japanese Anime, this is the perfect way not only to get into character, but to create their own characters as well.

There is no set rule in having a Harajuku haircut. The only signature characteristic that lets others know that it is Harajuku is that it is extreme, dramatic and provocative. Most looks require a razor technique to cut off chunks of hair to leave a clumpy look. Other looks are long straight cuts that are uneven and jaggedy looking.

But they all have in common the fact that there is color in the hair. And, the color must be contrasting. Bleaching hair white and then using a neon color like bright blue or red or whatever color to go with the personal style is necessary. Some choose to color the whole head, especially the girls and especially the Anime fans. Chunky streaks or multiple colors are not uncommon but rather encouraged.

How to Style Japanese Hairstyles

Japanese young women’s hairstyles look very cute and elegant, I think. If you are looking for the latest Japanese looking hairstyle and cut for women, make sure to visit my Japanese hairstyle and latest cut pages with styling pictures and basic specs for every length cut.

If you are looking to find out Japanese hairstyles to match your personality, you’ve come to the right place!  With more and more Asian artists now entering the entertainment industry,Japanese hairstyles and other Asian hairstyles are becoming increasingly popular even to Americans.  Japanese hairstyles tend to be extreme.  On one hand, there are ways on how to style Japanese hairstyles that would make you look youthful and innocent while there are other ways on styling Japanese hairstyles that would allow you to experiment and tap into your wild side.

The best way on how to style Japanese hairstyles to make you look younger, innocent and mystifying is to wear your hair long in one length.  Thick bangs can be added to your hairstyle which you can sweep on the side of your forehead or full fringes that cover your entire forehead.  For women with fine hair, you can request your professional hairstylist to add minimal layers on your hair that would give your hair that illusion of thickness while still appearing to be one length.  If you are going for wilderJapanese hairstyles, opt for choppy hairstyles which are accentuated with rich bold colors such as pink, red, green and blue.
No matter which Japanese hairstyle you choose, it is very crucial that you maintain a long, straight hair length since this is characteristic of all types of Japanese hairstyles.  If you have wavy or curly hair, you can achieve this look through the use of a flat iron or having a hair relaxing treatment done in your local hair salon to get rid of your curls and waves.   On the other hand, if you are looking for a way on how to style Japanese hairstyles on your short hair, you can easily do this through the use of hair extensions.  Professional hairstylists would be able to assist you in attaching hair extensions to your natural hair to help you achieve your Japanese hairstyles.  You can choose to get hair extensions that match your natural hair color for that sweet look or hair extensions in a totally different color for that edgy Japanese hairstyle.
A girl with Cute medium length Japanese hairstyle

How to Create the Geisha Hairstyle

Traditional geisha are Japanese performance artists. Their art consists of classical music and dance. Geisha have become as famous for their elaborate makeup, hairstyle and dress as their artistry. Japanese geisha have long been mistaken for prostitutes, because during WWII, prostitutes often imitated the look of geisha, even calling themselves "Geisha Girls." The American GIs often did not know the difference between the “Geisha Girls,” and true geisha. Creating the geisha hairstyle can be time consuming. Follow these steps to create a beautiful geisha hairdo in as little time as possible.

Things You'll Need

    * Volumizing shampoo
    * Mousse
    * Blowdryer
    * Round brush
    * Bobby pins
    * Extra-firm hold hairspray
    * Chopsticks
    * Flowers

Instructions

   1. Step 1

      Wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo and apply mousse throughout. Blow-dry your hair straight with a big round brush, pulling the hair taut from the roots to the ends. When the hair is dry, tease the hair underneath slightly to add volume.

   2. Step 2

      Part your hair into three sections; at the top and at two sides. Leave the back hanging down for now. Brush the hair on top smooth and create a poof by flipping it back over the top of your head, and securing it with pins at the crown. Push your hand directly into your hairline and with the hair between your fingers; pull gently upwards creating the “poof.” Spray this top section with extra firm holding hairspray, especially at the crown where it is pinned.

   3. Step 3

      Take one side section and hold the hair directly out to the side. Gradually roll the hair around your entire hand, in a backward motion toward you head. This should create a wide roll. Pin inside the roll firmly to your head. If the roll is looking narrow, loosen it with your fingers at the pins to make it wider. Completely secure it with a lot of hairspray. Repeat the roll on the other side.

   4. Step 4

      Smooth the remaining hair hanging down in the back with a brush. Roll the hair up in one giant roll toward to the nape of your neck and secure with pins. You may need a friend to help, as the roll should be the width of both of your hands with your fingertips together. You may drop sections if you try to pin it up yourself. Again, spray it like crazy with the firm hairspray.

   5. Step 5

      Adorn your hair with chopsticks, crossing each other in the back of your head, with the tops at the crown. Pin a large flower, such as a sunflower in between the top and a side roll, facing front, and as many others flowers around your head, in between rolls, as you desire (see Resources). Now all you have to do to complete your geisha look, is create the elaborate white-faced makeup and dress in the elaborate kimono costume.

Male Japanese Hairstyle

Hairstyles are known for being extreme, creative and cutting edge. Japan, with its fast-paced culture, is a hotbed for contemporary men's hairstyles. Color, texture and razored edges are just a few ways that men in Japan take hair care and grooming to the next level. From punk to goth to softer, more conservative looks, Japan has a variety of hairstyles for men to choose from.

The Cut 

The most notable Japanese men's hairstyles are inspired by punk and goth culture. This being so, it is common to see razored edges, asymmetrical lines, layers and texture in the average cut. No matter how it looks, however, this style is not the simple abandonment of traditional barbering technique. Layers are strategically placed around the face and the crown in order to accent face shape. Keep in mind how the hair will be styled, with or without spikes and tousling, when razoring edges and texturing. The best cuts should transition well between a more conservative, product-free daytime look and the crazy, wild styles seen at night. Another popular style is to leave bangs long and swept to the side, with the back short. Long hair, with layers around the cheek bone and ear, offers a low-maintenance style.

Styling 

When styling, product is necessary to achieve the messy, spiky style you see in the magazines. Hair wax, glue or pomade should do the trick. Opt for the strongest hold possible. Take a pea- to quarter-sized portion of product and rub it into the palm of your hand. Massage the product into your hair, spiking random pieces of hair. One popular style is to spike hair flat around the face and downward at the sides, with upright spikes at the crown and back of the head. For hair that is not naturally straight, work a small amount of hair serum into the ends of hair, and then use a hair straightener, piece by piece around the whole head of hair.

Coloring 

Red is by far the most common choice for color among Japanese men. Red tones work very well with naturally dark or black hair, and thick, chunky highlights are generally the best color choice. Blue, while not a natural hair color, brings out the cool tones already present in dark hair, adding depth and shine to the hair. Many Japanese men have extended the creativity of their styling techniques to their coloring choices, using bleach as well as greens, pinks and purples. Usually the colors are only used for strategically placed highlights and not the whole head.

Famous Japanese Hairstyles for Girls

Japanese hairstyles for girls are somewhat similar to punk styles in America, using sharp angles, distinctive bangs and bright colors to emphasize the hairstyle. Although the base color can range from platinum blonde to chestnut brown, the most famous base color has always been jet black. The bold color compliments the equally bold style, and the two go hand in hand when creating a famous Japanese hairstyle.
 

Bold Color

No matter what the chosen hair color for your Japanese hairstyle is, make sure to keep on top of touchups to ensure the color stays bold and bright. If your hair is naturally black, try using an herbal rinse to make your natural color richer. If you dye your hair black, always use a dye that is blue based rather than red based---blue-based dyes achieve the blackest of black. Adding streaks of neon color is very popular and can be achieved easily by using clip-on extensions. If you want to take the plunge and permanently dye a color streak in your hair, you must bleach out all the black before adding the color.
 

Japanese Bangs

One of the signatures of famous Japanese hairstyles are the distinctive bangs, whether blunt cut or long and swept to the side. Another variety is to have uneven blunt bangs, where the bangs are quite short on one end of the forehead and gradually get longer as they go across, making a sort of diagonal effect. You can also choose to have two long strands of hair frame the face, parted in the middle and separated from the rest of the hairstyle.

Short Japanese Hairstyles
Short Japanese hairstyles are often spiked or styled messily, emphasizing the punk influence and creating a fun and edgy look. The style often sports many layers of all lengths, straightened before tousled or spiked into whatever direction the wearer chooses. Make sure to use a hair wax or pomade so that the layers stay separated and emphasized
 

Medium Japanese Hairstyles
Medium Japanese hairstyles can either be worn classically or with edge. Classic looks can include layers, but the style appears very soft and is straightened or worn wavy, usually without bright colors or hair accessories. The layers help add volume, and can also be styled to look edgy by using a flat iron to flip the layers outward. Make sure to use some hair spray to keep the volume the layers create. Adding brightly colored ribbons or hair clips can top off the look and add flair.
 

Long Japanese Hairstyles
The most famous way to wear long Japanese hairstyles is to have long blunt bangs combined with wavy or slightly curled ends. Another very famous way to style the hair would be to secure two high pigtails and straighten them. You can create a single curlicue at the very end of the pigtails if you wish, and tying matching ribbons over each hair tie works beautifully with the style. If you want to wear your hair up, secure with a pretty Japanese hair stick set or even a hair ornament.

Bob Hairstyle

There are three basic Bobs.

   1. The most conservative of the Bob, the sleek one-length cut is always in style. This sophisticated cut can be trimmed to a length that is attractive to almost any face shape. The first style pictured is gently fringed at the bottom so that it is very soft around the perimeter. It is worn without bangs so that the front adds a lot of drama to the style. Style this cut by applying a light volumizing gel or mousse to damp hair and then blowing it dry with a large round brush. If your hair needs more encouragement to bend, use a large diameter curling iron, (about one and one-half inches) to curve the ends under.
   2. A flirty variation is the flippy Bob, layered in the bottom two inches and worn with texturized bangs. The secret to this cut is to take out enough of the bulk at the bottom to allow it to flip out but leave enough so that it doesn’t lose its signature line. This style is also very attractive when allowed to slightly curve under close to the neck. Style this cut as you would the one-length bob except using your large curling iron to turn the ends out slightly.

   3. More layering will release your natural curl to form this curly Bob. To style this look, generously apply a curl encouraging gel or mousse. Dry it using a diffuser or just naturally while you scrunch it. Be careful to keep the curls big and chunky. Too much combing or manipulation will separate the curls and cause a frizzy appearance. You can use a curling iron to direct some of the curls toward your face.

No matter which Bob hair cut you choose, it should be shiny and natural looking. Keep your style simple and easy to manage, which is the Bob trademark!

Anime Hairstyles From Japanese Games

Japanese anime and games provides a wide variety of hairstyles that although may start in cartoon format, end up looking great on us real people as well. We are not talking about those crazy anime hairstyles here but rather those realistic ones which are feasable to create. Two prime examples include game characters Rinoa and Yuna which offer two different hairstyles. Rinoa has medium length, layered hair that has the bangs slightly covering the front of her hair. The bottom is lightly curled outward but many Japanese hairstyles will curl inward as well. This look is very easy to accomplish on real hair. Yuna has a short Japanese hairstyle that is layered all around and slight colored. This look still has the same effect where the hair is slightly covering the face; a very easy to produce hairstyle. The ultimate piece of digitally created Japanese hairstyles comes as a wedding hairstyle. The last image is a wedding hairstyle from a game that we have found many people trying to mimic for their own wedding hairstyles. This is a very elegant and crisp look.