How to Wear Doll Makeup IRL Without Looking Like You Belong in a Toystore

Behind the Doll-Like Makeup Trend

It’s no secret that since the Barbie movie came out in 2023, doll trends have taken over the culture. And why not? This trend is fun, colorful, femme, and can help you unleash your inner creativity when it comes to makeup and wardrobe choices. 

“The resurgence of doll-like makeup can be attributed to a combination of cultural influences,” explains Kuhl. “The success of the Barbie movie has reignited interest in ultra-feminine aesthetics, while anime and K-beauty trends have popularized features like gradient lips, dewy skin, and large, doll-like eyes. 

Plus, she adds, “social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest have further amplified techniques like heavy blush placement and pastel eyeshadow, making the trend both nostalgic and modern.” Everyone is looking for a bit of escapism, and the doll-trend allows makeup lovers to do just that. 

How to Get Doll-Like Makeup

1. Maximize the Eyes

One of the most obvious ways to achieve doll-like makeup is to play up those peepers. According to Kuhl, one of the easiest and most efficient ways to make the eyes look bigger is by playing with nude liner. “I would start with a white or nude eyeliner on the waterline to open up the eyes to help them appear larger,” she says. For this, we love TARTE’S Fake Awake™ Eye Highlight in Nude because it stays put all day long.  From there, “gently apply a soft brown pencil liner along your upper lash line and diffuse the edges to soften the look, but keep the shape while extending towards the outer corner,” says Kuhl. 

2. Stick to Soft, Neutral Eyeshadows

“I’d recommend sticking to pastels like soft pinks and peaches, lilacs, baby blues, and cool light browns,” says Kuhl. “A touch of glitter or shimmer on the lid and inner corners adds a magical touch.” We’re fans of COMPLEX CULTURE FULL TIME’s Eyeshadow Palette in Edit 1 that has soft, pinkish neutrals you can play up or down. For shimmer, we can’t live without the LOVE+CRAFT+BEAUTY Gel Line Eye Pencil.

3. Sky High Lashes

Think back to those dolls that actually close their eyes when you lay them down flat. Remember how fluffy and dramatic their lashes were? That’s what you want to channel for your doll-like lash look at home. “Choose long fluttery false lashes or apply multiple coats of volumizing mascara to both the top and bottom lashes,” says Kuhl. “For added drama, apply individual lashes to the outer corners.” We love the HALF CAKED Totally Tubular Mascara to create the illusion of wearing falsies. 

4. Flawless Face

Doll faces are known for being flawless—an even complexion without texture. That’s not totally how life goes IRL, but you can get closer to this look with a medium to full coverage foundation. We’re fans of the KVD BEAUTY Good Apple Full-Coverage Transfer-Proof Serum Foundation to get an all-over even look. 

5. Add Highlights

“I recommend adding a shimmering liquid highlighter that has light-reflecting pigments that smooth over facial high points like cheekbones, temples, and the tip of the nose,” says Kuhl.  “The combination of this [with the foundation] will give the skin an ethereal, soft radiance which makes the facial features appear more lifted and airbrushed.”

6. Pout It Out

“Lips are another major focal point in doll makeup,” says Kuhl. She recommends defining lips to make them appear bigger, and then adding a juicy high-shine gloss on top. “ I recommend slightly overlining the lips with a nude or soft pink liner,” she says. “Then, blend a slightly popsicle-like deeper shade in the center of the lips and soften the edges for a pouty, innocent look.” Our favorite liner is the ELAINA BADRO® Lip Liner in Pink Cupcake. 

Kuhl makes another important distinction of doll makeup: “Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about creating a look that brings joy and makes you feel like your most fabulous self.”

Our Favorite Doll-Like Makeup Looks

1. Lined Eyes & Blush Tones Doll Makeup

BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim is famous for embodying doll-like makeup, even when she’s not performing. In this look she has eyeliner that extends out into a subtle wing, all-over pink, rosy blush color on her face, and pouty stained lips.

2. That Me Espresso Doll-Like Makeup

“Sabrina Carpenter is known for her fresh, youthful beauty looks,” says Kuhl. “Sabrina often pairs soft pastel tones, flushed cheeks, and glossy lips for a delicate, doll-like appearance.” In this pic, she pairs the kissable, glossy lips Kuhl recommends with baby pink blush to complete the look. 

3. OG Barbie Makeup

The original Barbie herself, Nicki Minaj, makes her eyes look bigger by skipping black liner on the bottom lash line entirely to draw out an extra dramatic line on the top that amplifies her doll-like features. 

4. Shine Like a Star Doll-Like Makeup

Katy Perry rocks a carved out lid with eyeshadow and the shimmer trick like Kuhl taught us earlier. The popstar’s makeup is used as her creative outlet and definitely embodies doll-like energy.