It’s Barbie mania: 508% increase in Barbie-themed salon services

Since the announce of the barbie movie, Barbie-core has been turning the world pink, so it is no surprise that it has taken salons by storm.  

New data from salon software platform Fresha found there has been a 508% year-on-year increase in the number of Barbie-inspired services offered by salons. 

 Barbie-core has shaped the beauty landscape in the last year, with more and more people choosing to incorporate pink into their nails and blonde into their hair, prompting consumers to overhaul their beauty routines.

 Don’t miss our guide to out Barbiecore nails: Nail art inspiration straight from barbieland 

The new statistics, created from Fresha’s propriety booking data, also revealed that services tied to the Barbie universe, such as and pink make-up looks and blonde hair transformations, have seen an 83% increase in bookings. 

 The revival is reflected in beauty enthusiasts exploring various thematic services and pink styles, adding a touch of nostalgia to beauty routines. 

 Salons have been capitalising on the craze by introducing Barbie-inspired offerings. For example, Proper Salon in London which has recently launched a limited-time pop-up with unique services including Barbie nail art and Barbie-inspired tooth gems. 

 Consumers are not only looking at salon services. Google Trends has also recorded an increase in search interest, with a 323% surge for the term Barbie between July 2022 and July 2023. 

 Barbie-core has also been all over social media platform TikTok, with Barbie-related beauty hashtags including #barbiemakeup and #barbiehair generating 171 million views in the past month. 

 23% of the three million posts under the #Barbie hashtag were created in the last 30 days. 

 The data highlights the impact of pop culture on consumer behaviours in the beauty and wellness industries, and how businesses can use these trends strategically to provide personalised experiences to their customers.

Want to hear how to achieve Barbie-core trends from someone who worked on the movie?  

Check out our exclusive interview with spray tan and finishing specialist Kimberley Nkosi, who created the iconic tans for stars including Ryan Gosling.