Barbie blonde is having a major moment thanks to the upcoming Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The bleach blonde color that Mattel chose for its beloved Barbie and Ken dolls is everywhere, meaning now is the time to try it. The famous blonde hair color has become so popular its given birth to Barbiecore, or an obsession with everything Barbie. We checked in with expert celebrity hair colorist Jacob Schwartz, who’s the stylist responsible for Margot Robbie’s hue, to find out everything you need to know about the Barbie signature blonde.
About the Expert:
Jacob Schwartz is an expert celebrity hair colorist whose clients include Margot Robbie.
Deconstructing Barbie Blonde
Barbie blonde is shiny, touchable, and effortless—it’s Barbie’s signature and therefore instantly recognizable. It’s not overdone, even though if you’re starting with a dark base, this level of blonde can take patience to achieve—especially at home. The color reminds us of Malibu and long days at the beach (or even the boardroom). Like Barbie, this shade of blonde ensures we’re looking fab while doing literally anything. According to Schwartz, capturing the effortless nature of the color was key. "I really wanted ’s blonde to embody Barbie on the red carpet without it being so obvious and over-bleached,” he shares.
Things to Know About the Hue
To keep up Robbie's iconic Barbie blonde, Schwartz used Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME products. Schwartz notes that to maintain and protect the color you should use a blonde-specific wash system such as BLONDME All Blondes Rich Shampoo & Conditioner. To keep your Barbie color fresh, maintenance is key. The right shampoo and conditioner will keep your blonde toned instead of brassy, so you shine like the Barbie doll you are. “When the light hits hair, I want it to sparkle and bounce like those legendary blonde supermodels and actresses of the ‘90s,” Schwartz explains of his color-spo.
How to Get Margot Robbie’s Barbie Blonde
Step 1: Highlight
Highlighting is the key to creating the base you want for this hue, but it requires a specific highlighting technique. “Using fine weaves, highlight using a babylight technique with BLONDME Premium Lightener 9+ with 20 volume BLONDME Premium Developer to create an even lift while protecting the bonds in the hair,” shares Schwartz. “I like that the BLONDME developers have a higher level of care ingredients inside the bottle (oil) so it helps to also protect the cuticle during development. The Schwarzkopf IGORA VIBRANCE has Aquaxyl which helps maintain/add moisture in the hair while toning),” he says.
Step 2: Wash
Lift to a golden light blonde and then cleanse the hair using the BLONDME All Blondes Rich Shampoo and BLONDME All Blondes Rich Conditioner. “This will help to build new bonds in the hair and prepare it for an even toning application,” he continues.
Step 3: Tone
On damp hair apply Schwarzkopf IGORA VIBRANCE to tone the blonde and add shine. “Use 9-0 around the hairline to maintain brightness and 7-0 for a shadow root on the top half of the head and 6-0 underneath the crown for extra depth at the base mixed with 6-Volume gel activator. I like that IGORA Vibrance is alkaline as I find it gives better penetration and longevity,” adds Schwartz.
Step 4: Ends
For the mid-lengths and ends, apply a mixture of IGORA VIBRANCE 9-0, 9-4, and 8-46 with equal parts 1.9%/6-Volume gel activator “to create a beautiful lived-in warm blonde tone. I love that demi offers longevity without the commitment of buildup.”
Step 5: Develop
Once the steps above have been followed, Schwartz shares it takes 15 to 20 minutes to develop.
Step 6: Finish
“Carefully rinse the deeper base color first while holding the lighter pieces up to maintain brightness on the ends.” Finish with another shampoo and condition with the BLONDME All Blondes Rich Shampoo and BLONDME All Blondes Rich Conditioner to “seal the color and rebuild strength in the hair,” he notes.
Our Fave Takes on Barbie Blonde
Malibu Barbie
The lady that started the trend, this blonde doll (Malibu Barbie) is loved by millions, especially for her signature hairstyle and hue.
Face-Framing Blonde Highlights
Robbie steals the spotlight at a premiere in Sydney thanks to face-framing sunny blonde highlights that slowly ease to a darker tone. This is a great take on the trend for those with natural brunette hair.
Bleach Blonde
Barbie girl Nicki Minaj stuns with long, platinum blonde hair. You can always take a page out of her book and rock a wig instead of dyeing your hair.
Honey Blonde
Barbie film director Greta Gerwig clearly took inspo from her film and America’s favorite doll with this honey blonde bob.
Barbie Updo
Robbie wears an elaborately styled updo that helps show off her multi-dimensional blonde locks.
Blended Caramel
Robbie’s rich blonde looks like blended caramel in this high pony. What’s Barbie blonde without a signature ponytail to match?
Max Blonde
Singer Ava Max shows off her bright Barbie blonde at the movie’s premiere in Los Angeles.