How To Wear Barbiecore Better (And Cooler) Than Barbie

Trends
by HB Team |
Fri, 5 Aug 2022

Zendaya-pink

Barbiecore: you’ve probably seen it splashed all over social media and on every editorial platform, from Vogue to I-D, and the truth is, this major trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Well, they’re not wrong.

As you can guess, Barbiecore is a trend inspired by the pop culture ICON, known for her electric pink wardrobe and bouncy blonde locks. If you’re already clued up on the basic premise of Barbie, don’t exit the tab just yet because we’re not here to give you surface-level intel. We’re here to give you the history, the insider deets, and most importantly, show you how to effortlessly nail Barbiecore without looking like you’re three months early for Halloween. Consider this your 2022 Barbiecore masterclass.

The 411 on Barbiecore  

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Trends don’t (or very rarely) happen overnight. The seeds are planted into our consciousness months – if not years – in advance, and this is undoubtedly the case with Barbiecore. Just think of some of the Barbie-loving pop culture queens of the last 10 years… Paris Hilton, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga… You get the picture.

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On the surface, it’s easy to credit Barbiecore with the trending Barbie biopic featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. As soon as the initial press pictures dropped, the internet went wild. And while Barbie may seem like an unlikely 2022 muse (the doll has previously been criticized for setting unattainable beauty standards), the movie is being produced by feminist writer Greta Gerwig who has reclaimed the Barbie narrative. The plot focuses on Barbie breaking free from societal expectations and reclaiming her worth in the “real world,” which is extremely relatable in the social media-obsessed world we’re living in right now.

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It’s also no coincidence that the rise of Barbiecore has simultaneously occurred during the renaissance of shocking pink. (Fun fact, the color was first popularized by Schiaparelli in 1947 to stand out from the muted color scheme during the post-war era). Yup, the bright magenta pink is absolutely everywhere RN, from the Grammy’s red carpet to Valentino, not to mention on the stage during festival season, with the likes of Dua Lipa and Meg Thee Stallion slaying hot pink Versace ‘fits all summer long. It’s a standout shade, and after two years of greys, muted tones, and pandemic stress, it’s exactly what we’re craving.

Ok, so now for the important part: how can you nail the trend without looking like you’re playing dress-up? And how do you do that while simultaneously infusing a cool-girl vibe? It may seem like a mighty task, but we’ve broken it down into three key categories: hair, makeup, and nails. Come on, Barbie, let’s go party.

Barbiecore Hair

Is there anything more iconic than Barbie’s signature blonde locks? However, if we’re being honest, the single color, yellow-toned blonde, doesn’t feel very modern. Instead, try your hand at platinum blonde, another major trend this summer thanks to the likes of Kim Kardashian and Gigi Hadid. Ask your colorist for ashy tones and icy hues – you’ll look anything but basic.

Alternatively, takes notes from Megan Fox and Lizzo and take the trend to the extreme with literal Barbie-pink locks. This is what you call dopamine beauty at its finest.

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Pink is an extremely high-maintenance hair color and can lead to long-term hair damage, so before you take the plunge, don’t be afraid to play with wigs. Read our full wig guide for more deets.

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Barbiecore Makeup

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Let’s get straight to it  – Barbie’s OG makeup look is hella 80s. It tends to focus on bright blue eyeshadow, long lashes, and a pink lip. And while we love each component, together, it can feel a little too much. Here’s how we’d interpret Barbiecore beauty…

To elevate your Barbiecore look, tap into one bold element and run with it. For example, a hot pink lip screams Barbiecore, but instead of wearing it with a bright eyeshadow, opt for draped blush and a bare eye. Alternatively, if you’re loving bright, bold hues, play with – ideally hot pink – graphic eyeliner and whispy lashes with dewy skin and a nude lip.

Ok, so we’re straying from the original Barbie makeup look here, but nothing says “I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world” more than a little bit of glitter. And considering all the Gen Z cool girls are currently experimenting with holographic makeup and shimmer-infused looks, dip your toe into the sparkle trend.

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Another way to werk Barbiecore? Slay the color trend with your outfit and contrast the Barbiecore energy with grungey makeup. It’s so unexpected and radiates a #BadBish energy.

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Failing that, an all-pink monochromatic look always slaps.

Barbiecore Nails

Ok, if there’s one beauty department we’re going ALL IN Barbiecore, it’s our nail art.

Vibe check… Neon pink? Of course. Glitter? Duh. Barbie branding? Why TF not? We have no shame in our game.

What do you think of the barbiecore trend? Let us know in the comments below.