Greta Gerwig’s big-screen Barbie (played by human doppelgänger Margot Robbie) isn’t hitting theaters until next spring, but previews of the ’80s baby looks have hit the internet and Barbiecore is at peak pink. Even Megan Fox traded in her signature dark tresses to go pink-blonde this summer—and she hasn’t gone back to brunette yet.
With Halloween right around the corner, expect to see hot pink Barbies out on the spookiest night of the year. Ready to get dolled up? Here’s how.
Meet the Experts
Jeff Francis is a celebrity hairstylist.
Tatiyana Elias is a makeup artist and hairstylist.
Bombshell Hair
“Barbie has gone through so many changes throughout the years,” says hairstylist Jeff Francis, who worked with Misty Copeland when the prima ballerina’s own Barbie doll came out. “But whatever the iteration, long hair has always been her trademark. The 2022 version is modernized with a lot of volume; it’s a lot of hair. Think Anna Nicole Smith and Pamela Anderson by way of the Kardashians. This is bombshell hair.
Makeup artist and hairstylist Tatiyana Elias agrees that Barbie’s hair is all about “volume, body, shine, and sleekness.”
There are two ways to get Barbie hair for Halloween: If you don’t already have long blonde hair, get a blonde wig that’s all one length. “Sweep the bangs to the side and tie in a scarf or use a thick, polka dotted headband,” suggests Francis. “That gives you a natural look that’s not so wiggy.”
Elias advises using powdered dry shampoo on the scalp and then teasing the hair to create big volume. “The classic Barbie hairstyle is the flipped ends. Use a 1″ to 1-1/2″ barrel on your curling iron to get that nice flip. A blunt cut really shows that flip,” she says. “And then of course you have to add a cute bow to make it really Barbie.”
Rose-Colored Beauty
Obviously, any Barbie makeup will be pink-centric, but Elias is adamant about starting off with good skin. “In the Barbie movie, Margot Robbie’s beauty look is very youthful, fresh, and clean,” says Elias. “The hardest thing to do is very clean makeup. That means starting with good skin prep.”
Clean the skin with your favorite cleanser, followed by toner. Elias layers from thinnest to thickest product. “After toner, use a serum like Sunday Riley Good Genes, which I absolutely love to prep the skin,” she says. “Then a light eye cream. My secret is to apply eye cream to the lips. If it’s going to plump under the eyes, it’ll give your lips a little plump, too.”
Follow with moisturizer, but if your skin is very dry, mix a face oil like Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow with the moisturizer. “Oil illuminates the face,” says Elias. “It makes the skin look hydrated and glow under your foundation, so the foundation isn’t just sitting on top with a matte finish.”
Once your foundation is set, break out your pinkest blush and lip color. “Barbie is pink and luckily, pink is simple and universal. Deeper skin tones can use a more mauve shade. Mix and match your favorite colors!” To emulate Barbie’s always-shiny lips, Elias likes No7 High Shine lip gloss in Naturally Nude. “Just add gloss on top of the pink lip.”
For the eyes, “Barbie always has this thin liner,” notes Elias. “To get the winged look, put scotch tape at the end of the eye, going up to the end of the eyebrow. Create a thin line with a liquid or gel liner. Wait for it to dry then take off the tape. You can also freehand and clean up smudges with makeup remover.” Of course, light blue is classic Barbie, but Elias likes swiping some pink blush on the eye or even using pink eyeliner. “Adding pink on top of the eye just ties the whole makeup look together.” Nars Powder Blush in Thrill is the “perfect pink.”
Barbie’s lashes are distinct so Elias says curling lashes is a must. If using false lashes, she says to use a half lash to achieve Barbie’s cat eye.
Don’t Forget Ken!
Ryan Gosling is alive with “Kenergy” (according to the actor himself). He’s playing Barbie’s longtime boyfriend with ripped abs, denim vests, and white-blond hair that’s Targaryen-worthy.
If your partner wants to bring his Kenergy, Elias recommends proper grooming. “He should be brushing up his brows. Tanner and foundation to even out his skin tone and the tiniest bit of blush on his cheeks. And chapstick on the lip. Ken is a manicured man.”
Did someone say Best Couples Costume?
We only recommend products we have independently researched, tested, and loved. If you purchase a product found through our links, Sunday Edit may earn an affiliate commission.
