Need to impress that new girl at school? Want to know if you fit in with anyone? You may need to know how to act emo. The term “emo” is used to describe a subculture most commonly seen in young adults and teens, though it sprang from the punk movement in the 1980s. Most people see the emo movement as a blend of Indie bands and Punk rock groups. It was in the early 90s that the first wave of emo groups began to fade after many of the concerned bands broke up and went their different ways. The Indie band influence began to make their mark on the emo movement in the mid ’90s, with such bands as Fugazi.

In the late ’90s bands like Sunny Day Real Estate introduced a less violent Indie style of music. The normal view of the emo personification is one of depression and over-emotional lost kids.http://www.emo-corner.com/what-is-emo/ They are thought of as self harming and unproductive members of society, but this is not a correct view. The movement is just as diverse as the people who flow within its broad boundaries. With crazy hairstyles and thick eyeliner, they surf the net in search of new bands and places to vent their problems in the forms of poems and music.

Let's start with the hair. Most emos straighten their hair, either with a straightening iron or gel, and the hair is combed over towards one eye. When dying their hair, they normally go with black. Some spike it with gel and some don’t. For a flatter style, gel or wax is worked into the hair and down towards the tips. For a messier, more spiked look they would rub a small amount into the hair and work it out away from the head towards the tips.http://www.hairscene.net/styling-tips/

Now to the clothes. This part is simple. Most emos, guys and girls alike, wear tight jeans with a studded belt. Tight t-shirts, often stamped with band names, are the norm for people in the movement. Common accessories are skate-style shoes and fingerless gloves. The easiest part would be the make up. Apply a heavy amount of eyeliner and the palest shade of foundation and blush the skin tone will allow. After doing this a few times, one can play around with mascara, eye shadow and other make up techniques to get the preferred look.

Many bands have influenced the emo movement through the years. Most all emos are involved in the music, because “Emo is first and foremost a music genre.”http://www.luv-emo.com/emomusic.html. One good step for how to act emo is the learn to play an instrument or write song lyrics. Emo music isn’t about happy sunshine things, its more about venting problems like depression and anger. There are few different types of music to think of listening to. Just remember the type of music an emo listens to helps to define them within the community.

Many people say that the emo genre isn’t real and that it is really just punk rock.http://www.emo-corner.com/what-is-emo/ This can be left up to debate because there are just as many people saying that it is real as those that say it isn’t. Emo has a large list of band styles following it.

There are the emotive hardcore bands or Emo Bands like Matchbook Romance and then there’s its faster and more abrasive counter part, Screamo. Screamo Bands are also a part of the emo movement with bands like The Used and Clip the Apex. One well known emo metal band is HIM with their heartagram.http://www.heartagram.com/

Just remember, emo music is full of straight-forward emotions that range from angry to sad and back.

People say “attitude is everything” and they are right. Emos strive to be outside of normal society and this explains the crazy hair styles and the standoffish appearance. For the most part, the typical emo is expected to be depressed and extremely insecure, but most emos are also very sensitive and quiet. They tend to act too wrapped up in their own emotions to care what other people think about them. Avoiding confrontation is extremely important, along with not causing confrontation. Also, having a bleak outlook on life and being withdrawn from others are common treats. Self infliction of pain is another trait frequently thought of emos, but it is never advised. Emos deal with their problems through poetry and music, not by hurting themselves. Emo communities can be easily found online and most of them have galleries for poetry as well as artwork and song lyrics. Their forums are filled with other people that feel many of the same emotions. It’s a popular way for emos to socialize without having to handle society directly. Above all else, true emos are honest with themselves and others about who they are. They are not scared to be themselves whether society likes them or not. http://www.emo-corner.com/what-is-emo/