When hair and makeup artist Ivana Primorac first metBarbiemoviedirectorGreta Gerwigon Zoom, it was a year before filming began.
We have all thedolls as reference points, so how do we make humans into dolls?
We discussed that at great length, Primorac tellsGlamour.
But it was always great fun because we were free to just chip in with all of our ideas.
At first Primorac was set on recreating a toysomething that had a plastic look to the hair and skin.
What we realized is that the Barbie doll represents the best version of oneself, she says.
Jaap Buitendijk
Your hair is the best color that suits you.
Its not in the plastic sheenthe plastic was just a material the dolls were made out of.
And the skin matches all over.
Jaap Buitendijk
Its not plastic necessarily, but its all nicely finished.
High-level attention to detail meant that each Barbie and Ken needed custom hair and makeup looks.
Primorac also dismissed the idea of making all the dolls look the same.
Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Every single Barbie and Ken, we designed individually, she says.
We designed the makeup, the skin tone, everything that suits them best.
Everyone had their own team of hair and makeup artists.
Jaap Buitendijk
Or, as Primorac likes to call it, a Barbie party.
You really rarely approach an actor from head to toe.
You dont normally have to do everyones whole person to become the character.
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Of course, Primorac was up to task.
Ivana Primorac:Its all wigs.
We had to have 18 wigs for her, full wigs.
And on top of that, we had something like 30 hairpieces.
So hairpieces that would be stacked on top to create volume, pieces that would create length.
Whenthe trailerdropped, a hugeviral momentwas when Margot steps out of Barbies shoes.
How did you make her feet look so perfect?
That was interesting because, obviously, it was scripted and part of the doll thing.
I thought it was so clever in the script, theyre always on tippy toes.
When her feet go flat, suddenly the story begins.
So we always knew we were going to have to shoot that moment and the scenes that follow.
We had the special body makeup made for Margot to suit the skin.
So we all agreed and were relaxed about it.
We shot the footage, and once we looked at it, it was actually perfect.
What was the nail polish you used on her feet?
We usedNaked by Glossifyon her toes.
When you are working with body makeup, do the actors follow a body care regimen?
She would do a lot of prep by herself at home.
Wed have a good scrub, a good body moisturizer.
The problem with body makeup was that we couldnt have it transfer to clothes.
How did you create Barbies makeup look?
So the look for Barbie Margot was the healthiest peachiest skin throughout.
We also had custom-made eyebrows.
We lengthened the eyebrows, so the proportion of her eye and her eyebrow to hairline changed.
That subliminally helps a lot.
But with the longer eyebrow, the eye shape grew.
We highlighted the corners of her eye with something very sparkly so it would catch the light.
We had lots of different lipsticks and blush color.
We had thousands of colors in front on our table set up.
I would say almost 25 different shades of lipstick for every costume.
Kate McKinnonsaid a lot of thoughtwent into her Barbie look.
Im curious to know how you created the scribbles on her face and what you used.
We tried so many different things and different hair, and nothing really quite worked for a while.
Kates amazing in her preparation and dedication, and she gives you as much time as possible.
We remade her hair quite a few times until we got to what we have in the movie.
Thats whats free about the movement.
So that was then the plan.
We had to approach the technique to Kates face.
Suddenly I was like, Thats it!
We need those flat, bright primary colors that wont come off.
We used those eyeliners to create the black Sharpie around her eye and the squiggles on her face.
We had stencils and measurements and photographs to do it the same every day.
Ryan Goslings Ken has a different look from Barbie, with more platinum hair and a beachy tan.
How did you settle on what his hair and skin would look like?
Ryan was very clear; he knew what he wanted his Ken to be.
So we tried a whole bunch of different shades of blonde and then we settled for that one.
I have to say, I love the way it looks in the movie.
Same goes with his tan and body makeup.
It also couldnt have been the same as Margot, because it wouldnt have looked good.
These were our technical problems.
He was spray-tanned, but I wouldnt say consistently because it would have to be measured.
He couldnt ever get too pale.
We kept searching for the best solution and he was always on top of it.
Besides the ones we discussed, are there are any other favorite looks you have from the movie?
I lovedIssa Rae.Hari Nef.Emma Mackey, I loved her freckles.
I really noticed them yesterday.
I thought freckles are definitely part of a new trend and new fashion for the summer.
Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty editor atGlamour.you might follow her@arianayap.
