Barbie’s cascading blonde hair is as much a part of ‘Barbiecore’ as pink, the colour synonymous with the 64-year-old evergreen doll. With Greta Gerwig’s film Barbie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling finally hitting the big screen, hair colourist, make-up artist and director of Bridgette Jones Fashion Salon, Danielle Jones, and her team at the salon have put together a special shoot for t2 to celebrate the iconic doll. Her ‘Barbies’ for the shoot are her mother and the lady behind Bridgette Jones Fashion Salon, Bridgette Jones; Mihira Singh, entrepreneur and model; Julaikha Shah, model; and sister Rachael Jones, director, Bridgette Jones Fashion Salon and a student in Australia. With pro tips from Bridgette, Danielle has directed the shoot that spells cute and fun.
“For me personally as a child who grew up collecting Barbies, I definitely vibe with the signature Barbie ponytail. The very ponytail we get to see as the Barbie logo” — Julaikha
GET THE HIGH PONYTAIL:
l Start by brushing or combing your hair to remove any tangles and smoothen it out l Gather all of your hair upwards toward the crown of your head. Hold it with one hand to keep it in place l Using a hair elastic, wrap it around the gathered hair to create a ponytail. Make sure it’s tight enough to hold the ponytail in place l If you prefer a higher or lower ponytail, you can adjust the position of the elastic accordingly l Use a brush or your fingers to smooth out any bumps or flyaways for a polished finish l To add extra volume and conceal the hair elastic, you can take a small section of hair from the ponytail, wrap it around the elastic, and secure it with a bobby pin (optional)
“I absolutely love having my hair down all the Not only did I take most of the hair fashion ideas from Barbie but also tried my hand at cutting and practising Barbie hairstyles of my own on Danielle and Rachael’s Barbie collection! (Laughs) — Bridgette time. So when Dani suggested doing a high ponytail but leaving it open from the front to frame my face, it allowed me to do something new but still love the way it looked. It turned out beyond perfect!” — Mihira.
Danielle takes t2 through the making of the shoot, her Barbie loves and top tips to ace the Barbie hairstyle.
What comes to mind instantly when we say ‘Barbie’?
When I think of Barbie, some of the things that come to mind are her iconic hairstyles, fashionable outfits, diverse careers, and the various playsets and accessories associated with the brand. I also think of Barbie’s cultural impact, her status as a beloved and enduring toy, and her ability to adapt and evolve with the changing times. Additionally, I consider the positive messages she conveys about empowerment, imagination, inclusivity and creativity to her audience.Currently, Bridgette’s Barbie is on at the salon. It’s a limited-edition Barbie-inspired service list for hair, nails and skin. The entire team is wearing pink throughout the week and we have specially curated iced Barbie cookies for the visitors!
This shoot is so up your alley! Take us through how you conceptualised it?
Conceptualising the Bridgette Jones Barbie photoshoot was super fun! Our theme for this shoot is Barbiecore — all of her signature hairstyles and a lot of the good old hair spray. We styled two different ponytails. One big Barbie blowout and a preppy back-to-school braided bouncy blowout with pink hair extensions. We created our very own DIY Barbie photo box to add to the drama. This made the girls feel like real Barbies in a box! We mixed and matched Barbie’s moodboard with bright outfits and accessories to create a stylish and fun look. There were different shades of pink, large earrings, winged eyeliner, bright pink blush and pop pink lips. Bridgette’s Barbie posed in ways to tell a story or convey different emotions.
What are your top tips to ace the Barbie hairstyle?
-Prepare Barbie’s Hair: Before styling, make sure your hair is clean and free of tangles. You can gently brush your hair with a detangling brush or a soft-bristled brush to smoothen it out-Use hair spray: If your hair is not holding its shape, lightly mist it with water or a small amount of hair spray. You could even run mousse through your hair for it to last longer -Avoid using excessive force or pulling too hard on the hair-Always use a heat protector. Use hair accessories like clips, colourful extensions, headbands and ribbons to enhance the hairstyle and add a cute touch-Experiment with different styles. Try braids, ponytails, buns and curls. There are plenty of tutorials online that can guide you. Remember, Barbie’s hair is all about creativity and fun
What about Barbie do you think is so evergreen?
Barbie’s evergreen appeal stems from her iconic status, timeless design, and ability to adapt to changing trends and interests over the years. Her aspirational and positive image, along with a wide range of accessories and merchandise, have kept her popular across generations.
Over the years, Barbie has evolved to reflect changing societal norms and has been designed to represent diversity and inclusivity, offering dolls of various ethnicities, body types, and career choices. This adaptability has helped Barbie maintain her appeal across different generations. Beyond the toys, Barbie has had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring movies, TV shows, video games, and even fashion collections. While some critics have raised concerns about the unrealistic body proportions of the original Barbie doll, her enduring popularity can be attributed to her adaptability, versatility, and ability to evolve with the times, making her a cherished and evergreen figure in the world of toys and popular culture.
Do you have a favourite Barbie?
My absolute favourite Barbie, although it’s so hard to choose, has got to be Race Car Driver Barbie.
If you could be Barbie, which one would you be?
If I could be any Barbie, I would be a Race Car Barbie for sure! She celebrates women in motorsports and racing. The Race Car Barbie doll embodies the spirit of adventure, competition, and empowerment as she takes on the role of a professional race car driver. This Barbie theme aims to break gender stereotypes and inspire girls to pursue their interests in traditionally male-dominated fields like motorsports.
Rachael Jones sports double Dutch braids with waves. “We have tried an offbeat Barbie hairstyle. It’s a hairstyle most of us tried experimenting with on our Barbie dolls — wavy textured hair with two waterfall braids and placement pink extensions. The two braids and waves hairstyle combines the elements of braids and wavy hair to create a chic and Bohemian Barbie look,” says Danielle. Rachael tells t2 she feels like a Barbie during the shoot. “Dani has outdone herself with my Barbie hairstyle. The braids and pink extensions are a great addition. A perfect look for summer as well,” she smiles.
GET THE LOOK:
l Start by parting your hair down the middle to create two even sections l Take one section and divide it into three smaller sections l Begin a Dutch braid by crossing the right strand under the middle strand, then the left strand under the right strand, and so on. As you braid, add hair from the sides into each section, creating a braid that sits on top of your head l Repeat the same process on the other side l Once both Dutch braids are complete, you can gently pull on the edges of the braids to make them appear fuller and more voluminous l For the wavy hair, you can use a curling wand or curling iron to create loose waves throughout your hair. Take small sections of hair and wrap them around the curling wand, holding for a few seconds before releasing l Finish the style with hairspray to hold the waves and braids in place “This hairstyle created a trendy and stylish look, perfect for various occasions, from casual outings to special events. The combination of braids and waves adds texture and dimension to your hair, resulting in a bohemian and effortlessly chic appearance,” says Danielle.