You remember your childhood Barbie doll with fond memories of imaginative play and make-believe adventures. While her iconic style is nostalgic, Barbie’s retro look could use an update for the modern era. In just a few simple steps, you can give your Barbie doll a DIY makeover with a contemporary style and transform her into a fashionista once again. With some craft supplies and a keen eye for current trends, your Barbie will be runway-ready in no time. Follow along as we take you through a step-by-step tutorial to restyle your doll’s hair, update her makeup, and recreate her outfit with a chic, custom design.
Give Barbie a Makeover With New Clothes and Accessories
To give Barbie a stylish makeover, start by choosing a new outfit. Look through Barbies existing wardrobe or purchase a fashionable ensemble, like:
· A tailored skirt and blouse for work
· Jeans and a trendy top for a casual look
· A gorgeous outfit for an important event
Next, pick complementary accessories to complete the look. Consider:
1. Jewelry like gemstone earrings and a statement necklace. Gold and silver toned jewelry pairs well with most outfits.
2. A stylish handbag or purse. Look for ones that match her new outfit.
3. Fashionable yet comfortable shoes. Heels, sandals, boots, sneakers – choose a pair suitable for her outfit.
4. A trendy hairstyle. Give Barbie’s hair a trim, curl, or restyle. Long, wavy hair or a sleek bob cut are timeless looks.
5. Minimal makeup. Apply light colored lipstick or gloss and pink blush to Barbies cheeks for a natural beauty look.
With a new stylish ensemble and accessories, your Barbie will have an updated look perfect for any occasion. By choosing pieces that reflect her unique personality, you’ll give her a makeover she loves! Providing Barbie a fresh new style through fashion and beauty is a fun, creative activity for any aspiring stylist.
DIY Barbie Hairstyles: Braids, Buns and More
To give your Barbie a fresh new hairstyle, you have several DIY options to choose from.
Braids
Braids are an easy style to create on Barbies long hair. Start with a simple three-strand braid, securing the end with a hair tie to keep it in place. For a more intricate style, try cornrows, which are tight braids that lie close to the scalp, or a French braid, where you incorporate pieces of hair from each side as you braid down. These styles work well for both casual and formal looks.
Buns
A bun style puts Barbie’s hair up and out of the way. Gather all her hair at the back of her head and secure it with hair ties, bobby pins or hair clips. For a messy bun, loosely twist pieces of hair before pinning them in place. A sleek chignon bun has all hair smoothed back for a sophisticated style. Buns complement most of Barbie’s outfits and are a great option if her hair is damaged or you want to restyle it.
Rolls and Twists
For a retro look, try pinning Barbie’s hair in rolls and twists. Part her hair to one side, then take sections and roll them up, securing each roll as you go around her head. This creates voluminous waves and curls when you release the rolls. Alternatively, two side twists that meet in the back, pinned in place, give an edgy rocker style. Rolls and twists allow you to get creative with her hairstyling.
Makeup Looks to Give Barbie a Fresh New Face
Once you have the perfect outfit picked out for Barbie, it’s time to give her a makeup makeover to complete the look. Her factory makeup is rather basic, so enhancing her features with the right colors and techniques will make her transformation complete.
A Subtle Daytime Look
For a casual daily look, keep Barbies makeup light and natural. Apply a thin layer of foundation or concealer that closely matches her skin tone to even out her complexion. Add a touch of pink blush to the apples of her cheeks and a swipe of mascara to emphasize her eyes. Finish with a natural lip gloss in a rosy hue. This simple, minimalistic look is perfect for daytime and activities.
A Glamorous Evening Look
When night falls, it’s time for Barbie’s glamorous side to emerge. Apply foundation and set with some powder. Use smoky eye shadow, liquid eyeliner and volumizing mascara for a dramatic eye look. Apply false eyelashes for extra flair. Add contouring to accentuate her cheekbones and a bold red lipstick to make a statement.
A Retro-Inspired Look
Channel a retro 1950s pin-up vibe with winged cat eyeliner, red lipstick and perfectly coiffed hair. Apply a full coverage foundation and set with powder. Use a cat eyeliner stamp or stencil to get the winged shape just right, extending out from the outer corners of the eyes. Curl Barbie’s lashes and apply a few coats of mascara. Finish with a classic cherry red lipstick and a touch of blush on the apples of the cheeks. Victory rolls or a high ponytail complete this retro rockabilly style.
Conclusion
Though Barbie’s style has evolved over the decades, her appearance is still largely unrealistic and unattainable for most. By giving her a DIY makeover, you’ve made her more relatable and given her a fresh, personalized style that reflects your own unique tastes. While her proportions may remain unrealistic, her new handcrafted outfits and accessories show what can be achieved with a little imagination and skill. By restyling Barbie to your liking, you’ve made her into a one-of-a-kind creation that you can enjoy for years to come. Barbie may be an icon, but now she’s an icon with your creative stamp.