Beauty Pop

Beauty Pop is a shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Kiyoko Arai, first serialized in the Japanese magazine Ribon starting in 2003. The story follows Kiri Koshiba, a talented but anti-social student who gains local fame for her miraculous hairstyling abilities. Arai created the series to explore themes of self-worth and the transformative power of beauty, positioning the salon setting as a backdrop for both comedic school-life drama and serious emotional growth.

The aesthetic of the series is heavily influenced by the early 2000s shōjo style, characterized by expressive character designs and detailed depictions of hair and fashion. Upon its release, it was well-received by readers for its focus on the 'Scissors Project'—a trio of boys who attempt to use Kiri's talents to market their salon services—and was eventually licensed in English, bringing Arai's distinct paneling and artistic sensibilities to a broader international audience.