Barbiecore beauty: 4 ways to try this summer’s new trend
Olivia Perl
Beauty & Skincare
Reading time: 8 minutes
From hot pink nail art to Barbie blonde hair, pink lips & glowing skin, here’s how to get with the Barbiecore aesthetic that’s taking over TikTok
This summer, Barbie is big. Yes, the doll that many of us played with as children – changing clothes, creating stories (pulling off body limbs? Cutting hair?) – is the surprising beauty mogul of the season. And it’s all thanks to the new Greta Gerwig-directed film (released 21 July), starring Hollywood A-listers Margot Robbie, Issa Rae and America Ferrera.
And it’s not only TikTok where this trend is creating a buzz – all things Barbiecore beauty made it onto our Boots Beauty Trends report, too, thanks to Pantone announcing ‘Viva Magenta’ as 2023’s colour of the year. Fancy giving it a go? We’ve pulled together four ways to channel Barbie, with the help of some of the best beauty experts in the business.
So come on Barbie, let’s go party.
What is Barbiecore?
Originally, Barbiecore was the term used to describe the rise of hot pink that’s so closely associated with the famous doll. Remember seeing celebs including Lizzo and Anne Hathaway absolutely rocking the shade? That was Barbiecore.
From hot pink clothes to nails and lips, the buzz around the upcoming Barbie movie has made the aesthetic even more far-reaching: from her bouncy hair to her glowing skin, this trend is all about living in a Barbie world, and we’re loving it.
1. How to get Barbiecore nails at home
Add a pop of pink into your look, à la Barbie, by playing around with different shades and textures on your nails; and the best news is, there’s no need to head to the salon for show-stopping talons.
But before we get into colour, it’s important to remember to prep, prep, prep. Skip this step and you’ll have a higher chance of chipping, which would undo all the hard graft you’ve put into your artwork. So let’s preempt that by getting your kit in order. First off, you’ll need a base coat to lay the foundation for the rest of the products, as well as a top coat and cuticle oil.
As for the colour, “This is all about being playful,” says nail tech and educator, Tinu Bello, “and you can choose different shades of pink to suit your skin tone.” Try adding some nail art to an accent nail to give your mani a unique twist.
Ready to get started? Watch our video to see Tinu break down how to get this pretty-in-pink look from the comfort of your own home.
Discover more tips and tricks in our guide to summer nail trends.
2. How to get Barbie blonde hair at home
Take care with your application because the better it’s done, the better the result
If you’ve been influenced to try Margot Robbie’s ‘Barbie Blonde’, then you’re not alone – the trend has racked up over 12 million views on TikTok. That’s a lot of eyeballs. But if you’re more of a home dye kind of person, then it’s important to choose the right shade for your hair.
Celebrity hairstylist, Michael Douglas, says, “Garnier Nutrisse 100 Extra Light Blonde or Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color + Bleach Intense Platinum Permanent Hair Dye are two great at-home options for going Barbie blonde.
“Make sure to use plenty of product, and take care with the application because the better that’s done, the better the result.”
Before you get started, always do a 48 hour patch test to make sure there’s no reaction to any of the ingredients. Once that’s checked off, it’s time to get dying. Rub some Vaseline over your ears and hairline, to stop the colour from staining the skin, and then use a brush to apply the colour.
For a full breakdown and more expert tips, read our guide to how to dye your hair at home and how to dye your hair blonde.
Regardless of the colour you opt for, it’s important to know that not everyone’s hair can actually reach a bright blonde at home. “Darker natural hair types have more red pigment, so lightening them can be temperamental; they’re prone to brassiness or ending up orangey,” says Michael.
So unless you’re already pretty fair, you’re best off asking for professional advice. It might not be as convenient, but going blonde is a tricky colour to fix so if you have darker hair, leave it to the experts!
Speaking of the experts, this is what Michael says you should ask for in-salon.
“What you ask for depends on your natural colour. If you have naturally fairer hair, opt for a full head, very high lift tint but if you’re on the darker side, book in a full head of bleach.”
Bear in mind that if you have naturally dark hair, it may take a few sessions to get to the desired shade. Hair type and condition will all be factors, too; all of which are good to discuss with a colourist during a consultation.
You need a weekly treatment as well as a good shampoo and conditioner for dry, damaged or bleached hair
Bleaching curly or coily hair requires a little bit of extra love because generally they need more hydration and can be more prone to breakage. Hair colourist and managing director of Bleach London, Alisha Dobson, explains, “Coily hair can be more naturally dry so we want to retain as much moisture as possible.
“Finding the right products that give your curls the perfect balance of moisture, oil and protein is crucial.”
If you want to jump on the Barbie blonde train but you’re nervous about dying your curls, Alisha sets the record straight that it’s not as intensive a process as you might think. “It’s a huge misconception that people with curly and coily hair need a strong bleach because of how dark their hair might be,” she explains. “Coily hair just needs a gentle lift to ensure the patterning remains intact.”
How to care for dyed blonde hair
Michael recommends, “a weekly treatment as well as a good shampoo and conditioner for dry, damaged or bleached hair. Heat’s also going to have an effect, so try to reduce heat-styling to three times a week.”
For curly and coily hair, Alisha advises staying away from heat and making sure to deep condition regularly. “Heat will significantly damage the outermost layer of the hair cuticles, making it more susceptible to frizz and breakage and stripping away oils, which will make hair look dull.”
On top of that, keep dyed blonde hair out of the sun, wear a hair SPF and be gentle when brushing or combing through the strands.
Bleach London Reincarnation Mask
• Size: 200ml
• Hydrating and nourishing
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
Give blonde strands a weekly water with a deep-conditioning mask. Simply apply to damp hair after shampooing, leave for 10 to 20 minutes and let the conditioning mask work its magic before rinsing off.
3. How to get Barbie’s hot pink lips
For a high impact, low effort way to embrace the Barbiecore trend, let your lips do the talking with a statement hot pink pout.
Shade-wise, we’d say the bolder the better and playing around with texture can be a great way to make the look your own.
If you’re all about a long-lasting lip to see you through hot summer days and nights, go matte all the way, applying lip liner underneath for extra coverage, definition and staying power.
For Barbie’s distinctive PVC look though, a slick of lip gloss will dial your pout all the way up to plastic fantastic.
Kylie Cosmetics Velvet Lip Kit in Say No More
• Contains a liquid lipstick and lip liner
• Full coverage
• Demi-matte finish
• High-pigment
• Vegan-friendly*
This kit containing a lipstick and lip liner provides the perfect duo of products for a pro finish. Offering impressive colour payoff, you’ll love its super creamy formula and long-lasting finish.
4. How to get Barbie’s glowing skin at home
Glowing skin is a must for recreating the Barbie look and luckily, it’s incredibly easy to achieve. Whether that’s using a body oil or tint to give limbs a luminous sheen; self-tan for a bronzier finish or to enhance your natural skin tone; or making sure your skin is exfoliated and moisturised, adding in an extra step or two to your post-shower routine will help you glow from top to toe.
Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil
• Size: 100ml
• Solid to liquid formula
• For body and hair
Blend skincare and self-care with this luxurious body oil. Formulated with ultra-hydrating ingredients including frangipani, monoi and coconut oil, it leaves skin looking lit-from-within and feeling hydrated. Barbie would be proud.
Moisturise hands, elbows, knees and feet – this is a basic rule but it’s so important because these areas drink tan
Talking of tan, there has been a lot of conversation around Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s golden glows for the Barbie movie, and the exact product that was used on Gosling is from self-tanning brand, Isle of Paradise. Whether you’re a tanning novice or master, their Self Tanning Water is seriously easy to use and adds a golden glow boost to a range of skin tones.
“Just throw it on,” says founder, Jules Von Hepp, “we’ve done all the hard work for you.”
So what should we be doing to get that foolproof finish? Before doing anything, exfoliate the skin because it has the biggest effect on the quality of the tan. Miss this vital prep and you may end up with a faux glow that fades unevenly.
“Moisturise hands, elbows, knees and feet – this is a basic rule but it’s so important because these areas drink tan. Then, always remember two coats on the body, one coat on the face. If you stick with that, you’ll be absolutely fine,” explains Jules.
Feeling like you want to go full pro? Jules recommends using lip balm on the nails and a spoolie (eyebrow brush) to clear any tan out of the eyebrows.
“Finding a tan routine is just like putting on make-up; your routine may be different now to when you started,” says Jules. “The aim is for no one to notice you’re even wearing tan. That’s when you know you’ve nailed it.”
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water, Medium
• Size: 200ml
• Contains colour-correcting actives
• Don’t use on broken or irritated skin
• Patch test 24 hours before using
• Vegan-friendly*
• Cruelty-free
Get the exact tan seen on screen by swiping this product over clean, exfoliated and moisturised skin with a tanning mitt. For darker skin tones, give the Self-Tanning Water in Dark a go – it develops into a beautifully glowy finish.
For more top tanning products for darker skin tones, check out our guide.
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub
• Size: 220g
• Suitable for dull, dry skin
• Vegan-friendly*
Whether you’re looking to prep skin for self-tan or want to reveal softer, more luminous skin, give this gentle but effective physical exfoliator a go. Rub between the hands to release the oils inside and then use directly on wet skin to create a silky base. Scented with the brand’s signature Cheirosa ‘62 fragrance – the same as its beloved Bum Bum Cream – it’ll leave limbs smooth and smelling incredible.
