TikTok has paved the way for some of the most, dare we say, iconic trends of the 2020s. From fairycore to cloud skin and goth glam (a fashion week fave), the platform has opened our eyes to so many trends that we just cannot stop obsessing over. And now we’ve found our new favourite: Barbiecore. 

The Barbiecore trend has been brewing for a while. But with the live-action Barbie film, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling (AKA just Ken), hitting screens in July the trend has got us all in a chokehold and we are so here for it.

But is life in plastic really that fantastic? We’re on a mission to find out.

What is Barbiecore?

The Barbie aesthetic has played a part in pop culture, fashion and beauty for decades now, being a major inspiration point for musicians and fashion designers. But the problematic Barbie aesthetic of the ‘90s and noughties is dead and gone, making way for a more inclusive and diverse look. 

The main theme? More is more — and you can never have too much pink. When it comes to fashion, the vibe is essentially dopamine dressing in fluorescent pink and as many sparkles as you can handle.

So as you have probably noticed, Barbiecore fashion and beauty has taken the world by storm. Valentino’s Fall 22 collection was everywhere last year (how could anyone forget Lizzo’s ICONIC Barbie-inspired look at the premiere of her series Watch Out For The Big Grrrls?!) and Megan Fox has cemented her status as Barbie queen with her pastel pink hair. 

However, like Barbie herself, who has been a symbol of unrealistic body standards as well as female liberation and empowerment (read: the Barbie Inspiring Women collection), Barbiecore is somewhat contradictory. 

You can see aspects of it have derived from the bimbo renaissance, where doe-eyed girlies dressed in pink took over our TikTok feeds as an act of reclaiming power and proving that a ‘bimbo’ was more than just big boobs and platinum blonde hair. Many of the TikTokers who embraced the trend were POC creators talking about being hot whilst standing up for intersectional feminist and leftist ideologies.

The same can be said for Barbiecore. On the surface, the trend is all about aspiration and emulating the it-girl aesthetic of the likes of Paris Hilton. Take a scroll through Barbietok and you’re sure to find a mass of candy pink and blonde hair, and even Barbie’s Dream House-inspired home makeovers.

But on a deeper level, the modern Barbie aesthetic is also about eschewing the expectations of the Barbie franchise we grew up with. Sure, we love to see Kim K’s all-pink Balenciaga get-up. But we also love to see Conan Gray taking the Coachella stage by storm in a Barbie pink ensemble and matching sky-high platforms, and Florence Pugh dressed in a sheer pink tulle dress and clapping back at body shamers. 

After all, the upcoming Barbie film is directed by Greta Gerwig so if it’s anything like her other films, you can be sure there’s a fiercely feminist undertone and we’ve already seen a hint of it after behind-the-scenes footage of Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) punching a man square in the face went viral (chef’s kiss).

Ready to enter your Barbie era? We've got you covered.

Barbiecore makeup inspo

Pink isn't reserved for Wednesdays anymore, so don't be afraid to add some colourful pigments to your makeup bag. Swap your natural blush shade for a pinker hue, such as the Too-Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Blush ($46 at MECCA), to bring that Barbie-like flush to your complexion (Jeffrey Star swears it's the perfect dupe for the viral Dior blush).  And if you want to nail Kylie Jenner's signature blurred blush look, try blending your blush up into your eyelids and brow bone. 

As far as eyes go, the Makeup For Ever Aqua Resist Color Ink Eyeliner in Pink ($37 at The Iconic) and the Morphe9H Hot For Hue Artistry Palette ($14.70 at Morphe) are guaranteed to turn heads. Amp-up your doll lashes with a set of Glam By Manicare's Elsa Glam Ready Pre-Glued Lashes ($11.49 at Chemist Warehouse). And feel free to add some face gems for a Euphoria-meets-Barbie aesthetic.

And for lips? We'll be reaching for the NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip Lip Gloss in 'Supermodel' ($16 at ASOS) for a glossy hot pink lip. 

Barbiecore hair tips

When it comes to hair, they say that blondes have more fun ⁠— but we think that pink hair is the way to go. Steal Megan Fox and MGK’s new signature look with a pastel pink colour treatment. Our pick? The Davroe Colour Treatment in Rose Quartz ($32.95 at AMR Hair & Beauty).

Alternatively, if you'd rather stick to your normal hair colour, you can hone Margot Robbie's Barbie style with a retro hair flip. Nail the look with the Mermade x Barbie™ Blowout Kit ($129 at Mermade Hair) to get volume from the roots up and, of course, a good dose of ghd's shiny ever after spray ($38 at Adore Beauty) for a glossy finish.

Need more Barbiecore inspo? These celeb-approved pink eyeshadow looks will level-up your Barbie aesthetic.

Main image: Getty/ Warner Bros/ @lizzobeeating/ @gigihadid/ @haileybieber/ @barbie