Hello, Doll Face
A trio of finds for bringing out your inner Barbie (or Ken).
Barbie is everywhere you look right now. Last week, the London Eye was lit up pink for the premiere. Every day seems to bring a new product collaboration, from makeup to pool floats. Some of it looks like fun … and some of it looks like junk, TBH.
I haven’t thought about Barbie this much since I was in elementary school, but she was a formative part of my childhood. As a writer, she was my first storytelling vehicle—I developed rich backstories and plot lines for each of my dolls, flexing my creative muscles by getting lost in their colorful world. I got to play around with fashion and imagine what it would be like to be everyone from a doctor to a gymnast.
So this week, I’m jumping on the hot-pink bandwagon with three finds reminiscent of the Mattel icon. Each one is as bold and fun as she is, with the same staying power.
Long live Barbie.
1. Dr. Loretta Tightening Detox Mask (£50)
A hydrating, plumping mask is a good one to have in your skincare arsenal for event prep or recovery from a big night out. One of the best ingredients for smoothing fine lines and giving the complexion a boost is peptides, which are the star of this gel mask by Dr. Loretta, from dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo. In addition to Tetrapeptide-4, the baby-pink mask includes seawater algin and yeast extract to clarify and smooth the skin. Suitable for even sensitive skin, I like to leave it on for 20 minutes to brighten my complexion, but you can also use it as a sleeping mask.
2. Swarovski Pink Lucent Hoop Earrings (£280)
If there’s one thing Barbie’s style isn’t, it’s subtle. The oversized octagon shape and pink hue made these hoops from legendary crystal jeweler Swarovski scream Barbie to me without looking like part of a costume. Made from color-saturated, fully cut crystal, they’re also available in three other colors. I had the chance to visit Swarovski’s sparkling headquarters in Austria when I was in high school and actually debated forgoing food for the five remaining days of my trip in order to take home one of their gorgeous pieces. There’s a reason they’ve been in business since 1895.
3. Ruggable Barbie™ Signature Chevron Charcoal Rug ($109 and up)
I’m a big fan of Ruggable’s washable area rugs (see here and here). They saved the day as a new dog owner and I like the flexibility their interchangeable covers offer. So when I saw they had a new line of Barbie-inspired designs, I had to check them out. While there is plenty of pink in the mix, I found this one, inspired by her iconic 1959 black-and-white swimsuit, to be the most clever. This bold chevron print allows you to pay homage to your favorite childhood toy without being obvious, plus it adds instant glamour to any space.
Something to think about …
The story of Barbie is a fascinating and complicated one. Her place in current popular culture is still up for debate as we reexamine gender roles and representation. This Bloomberg Businessweek article traces the doll’s history, legacy and possible future.
Last week on MIDDI …
