Freelance make-up artist Joyce Ong, 22, puts on coloured contact lenses, layers of false eyelashes, foundation, eye shadow and lip gloss each day to achieve her look -- a full hour's worth of preparation in all.

According to an article from The New Paper, just two years ago the self-confessed former tomboy had refused to put on make-up because it meant waking up earlier to get ready for work. She was convinced she needed makeup when a woman once mistook her for a boy in a public toilet.

The word 'gyaru' translates literally to 'gal' in English, and is a Japanese term applied to young, fashion and peer-conscious girls in their teens and early twenties.

STOMPer Eyesee wrote:

"I was impressed at the transformation this young freelance makeup artist achieves each day.

"She goes from being quite the girl-next-door to full-on anime girl each day.

"I'm a guy, so I can't say I always appreciate the amount of effort that goes into putting on makeup. But I do value sleep a lot, so I know an hour is a big deal, haha.

"To be perfectly honest, I also prefer her without makeup. She's quite pretty already, and the makeup is just so eye-catching, it draws attention away from her nice features.

"When I look at her, my first reaction is not 'she's pretty', it's really 'wow that's quite a bit of makeup'.

"I prefer more subtle makeup on girls myself. What do you guys like?"