Pop Japan

Yamanba is a Japanese fashion style that is characterized by a dark fake tan, light colored hair, and bright makeup. It was derived from another style called Ganguro. Ganguro girls objected the popular notion of beauty in Japan, and created a style characterized by fake tan, fake eyelashes, and bleached hair.

But what makes Yamanba different from its predecessor Ganguro? Yamanba actually comes from the title of a Noh play, whose main character is Yama-Uba, a mountain hag. The style is supposed to be inspired by the look of this character.

The makeup style of Yamanba is white eyeshadow on the eyelids. Bracelets, bells, hibiscus flowers, and stuffed animals are often worn by Yamanba as accessories.

Photo by alex de carvalho. Licensed under Creative Commons. 

Tags: Yamanba, japanese, style fake tan, bleached hair, ganguro, fake eyelashes, yama-uba, hibiscus, stuffed animals, noh, fashion, fashion style, japanese fashion style