Twenty-two-year-old Sofi Yazachew experimented with the Barbie ponytail long before it became a popular trend. She states, “I’ve always been a huge fan, so whenever I style my hair, it reflects something related to her.” However, there are also newer fans jumping on the Barbie-inspired style bandwagon, thanks to the upcoming release of the new Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and directed by Greta Gerwig. This has resulted in a boom in Barbie-inspired fashion, with collaborations with Crocs and Aldo and a 600% increase in searches for “Barbie-inspired outfits.” Magenta mini dresses and rose-colored heels are now taking center stage.
But what interests me the most is Barbie’s hair. The iconic high, slick ponytails associated with Barbie have seen some evolution over the years, but they still draw inspiration from the original doll, primarily catering to caucasian hair types. The first Barbie doll, released in 1959, featured a ponytail with bumped ends and a mullet-like fringe. In the trailer for the new Barbie movie, Margot Robbie is seen with a revised version of the original look, sporting a sleek half-up, half-down hairstyle and a braided low ponytail with a Barbie twist. Celebrity hairstylist Pete Burkill, known for working with clients like Kylie Minogue, describes the current Barbie ponytail as a playful take on the classic updo with a more swingy tail.
Since the release of the movie trailer, searches for “Barbie ponytail” have skyrocketed on Pinterest, according to Tom Spratt. Data from January to April shows a 190% increase in searches for “Barbie ponytail.” On TikTok, videos with the hashtag #barbiedollponytail have amassed over 410 million views, and celebrities like Lizzo and Millie Bobby Brown have embraced the trend both on and off stage.
This surge in popularity has given rise to new variations of the Barbie ponytail. These include the side-swoop pony, where the hair is parted to the side in an arch-like shape, framing the face, as well as tightly slicked-back ponies and ponytails with dramatic edges and artistically styled baby hairs around the hairline. Burkill predicts that flicking out the ends of the hair for a full Barbie effect will be the most popular look for summer 2023.
While the trend is widespread, it raises questions about inclusivity. Barbie has faced criticism in the past for promoting a lack of diversity and perpetuating unhealthy societal stereotypes of beauty. In response, Mattel released a line of Barbies in 2016 that aimed to represent a more diverse society. Rihanna with a high ponytail. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fenty Beauty by Rihanna. The fashion industry has also historically struggled with hair segregation and discrimination, often favoring models of European origin.
Though the Barbie ponytail is easier to recreate on caucasian hair due to its malleability and fewer curls, many women of color have decided to give it a try. TikTok user Jaymme Lassey, who has 4c hair (the tightest curl type), initially had concerns but was motivated to try the hairstyle after seeing numerous Black girls rocking it on Twitter.
Lassey believes that TikTok has been instrumental in challenging stereotypes about certain hairstyles’ versatility. She states, “I always thought straightening my hair would damage it, so I automatically ruled out what I believed were Eurocentric hairstyles. But the Barbie ponytail taught me that this wasn’t the case.”
As the Barbie brand embraces a new era of inclusivity in the upcoming movie, featuring dolls of different races and body types, the Barbie ponytail trend is also becoming more diverse. Black users on TikTok have been going viral with their embellished and creative interpretations of the Barbie ponytail. While similar styles have been sported by Black celebrities in the past, the fact that it is now part of a broader hair trend feels significant for Black hair representation.
Hair stylist and forecaster Tom Smith attributes the popularity of the Barbie ponytail to its simplicity. He explains, “When something incredibly simple and practical becomes fashionable, it becomes massively attractive to many. Following fashion trends or self-care routines often require extra work and learning new skills, but most people can easily pull off a ponytail.”
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