Embracing Natural Elegance: Barbie's Journey to Natural Perfumes
Barbie, the iconic fashion doll that has captivated hearts since her debut in 1959, has always been synonymous with elegance, glamour, and timeless beauty. As Barbie-mania sweeps the world with the release of the new Barbie film we thought it would be fun to consider what kind of perfume Barbie would wear.
In 1959, the visionary Ruth Handler introduced Barbie to the world, revolutionising the toy industry and setting new standards for beauty ideals. Barbie quickly became a cultural icon, embodying grace, style, and empowerment. Throughout the years, Barbie has undergone numerous makeovers, embracing different professions, and reflecting changing beauty standards, whilst remaining an inspiration for generations of young girls worldwide.
My two daughters went through their Barbie phase and loved playing for hours with their sets. We always found great second hand Barbie dolls, clothes, furniture and even a Barbie car at the local thrift stores. They were in great condition, and when coupled with a few new pieces a whole world came alive for them. It fuelled very imaginative games that would go on for days with multiple outfit changes, redecorating the dolls houses and many other creatures from their toy sets being included.
Image credit: Warner Bros
FRAGRANCE CHOICES OF BARBIE’S EARLY DAYS
In her early years, we believe that Barbie might have favoured classic fragrances that were popular during the 1950s and 1960s.
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Nina Ricci L'Air du Temps became one of the defining fragrances of the 1950s.
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Chanel No. 5 (Introduced in 1921): Although Chanel No. 5 was introduced in the 1920s, it remained immensely popular throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
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Dior Miss Dior (Introduced in 1947): Miss Dior is another iconic fragrance that gained popularity during the 1950s. Its romantic and feminine floral bouquet, featuring notes of gardenia, jasmine, and rose, captured the essence of elegance and grace.
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Caleche by Hermes: Hermes created their very first fragrance for women in the 1960s. Caleche catered to elegant and sophisticated women who wanted their perfumes to make them feel feminine and alluring.
MODERN BARBIE EMBRACES NATURAL PERFUMES
Fast forward to the present day, we believe that Barbie is now embracing the latest trends in beauty and wellness. Just like many individuals around the world, Barbie is becoming more mindful of her choices and is seeking healthier, eco-friendly alternatives. As part of this transformation, she is now turning to natural perfumes that celebrate the beauty of botanicals and embrace sustainability.
7 NATURAL PERFUMES BARBIE WOULD LOVE
Natural perfumes are known for their exquisite aromas that evoke nature's essence. Barbie would likely be drawn to scents like natural rose, which exudes romance and femininity, or delicate florals like jasmine and lily, which reflect her graceful demeanour. These enchanting fragrances would enhance her charm and complement her ever-evolving style.
This scent is luxury flowers in a gorgeous deep pink bottle, which Barbie would love. Carnation, Lily and Rose together with Vanilla compose warmth not unsimilar to the nude sun kissed skin, whilst the Ylang Ylang and Jasmine communicate the ‘Trumpet’, awakening of Love.
This scent is the light, the flesh and the air of flowers. An ethereal, vaporous, atmospheric fragrance. Flowers in weightlessness. Barbie would love the pink bottle as well.
This scent is exquisitely crafted to connect you with the practice of unconditional love, which we know Barbie loves LOVE! As it is a roll on, it is perfect for the purse too for Barbie.
Liliquoi’s exquisite blend of precious oils embraces the joy of springtime with white florals of jasmine and tuberose combined with a hint of sweet vanilla. The gorgeous white bottle would look perfect on Barbie’s dresser.
For us, the name ‘Dreamer’ makes it perfect for Barbie. Life in the Dreamhouse is complete with ‘Dreamer’ perfume. It has been described as round, dewy stone fruits in the height of summer. Sweet tangerine dreams.
The clear pink combination is for lovers of light. It is a bottle which reminds us of the subtleties of life. A gorgeous playful perfume in the perfect light pink bottle for Barbie.
This scent is inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of an Italian summer, the perfect location for a Barbie & Friends holiday. This scent would naturally remind Barbie of all of the fun times on the Italian Amalfi coast.
What other natural scents do you think Barbie would love to wear?
CHALLENGES FACED BY BARBIE
Of course, over the years, Barbie has faced criticism and negative comments from various groups and individuals.
Unrealistic Body Image: One of the most significant criticisms aimed at Barbie is her portrayal of an unrealistic and unattainable body image. Many argue that her exaggerated proportions, such as her tiny waist, large bust, and long legs, perpetuate an unrealistic beauty standard that may have a negative impact on young girls' self-esteem and body image.
Reinforcement of Gender Stereotypes: Some critics argue that Barbie's traditional roles and professions reinforce gender stereotypes. Historically, Barbie has been associated with careers like fashion, modelling, and beauty, while few dolls represented non-traditional roles or STEM-related careers. But there have been many new Barbie’s produced in the STEM careers now.
Lack of Diversity: In the past, Barbie received criticism for a lack of diversity in her representation. For many years, she predominantly featured Caucasian features, leading to concerns about underrepresentation of racial and ethnic diversity. Efforts have been made by Mattel to improve diversity in Barbie's line, including introducing dolls with different skin tones, hair textures, and body shapes.
Materialism and Consumerism: Barbie's glamorous lifestyle and the emphasis on fashion and luxury have been criticised for promoting materialistic values. Some argue that Barbie's focus on appearance and material possessions may encourage young children to prioritise external appearances over other values and qualities. In my experience this is about the home environment and what other conversations the children hear, aswell. I would also talk to my girls about kindness, actions and nature rather than things. And the fact that we got our Barbie’s second hand provided another great conversation with them. But I also saw how much they loved playing dress ups and make-believe stories with their Barbie dolls too.
Environmental Impact: Barbie's plastic manufacturing and packaging have raised concerns about their environmental impact. Critics argue that plastic toys contribute to pollution and waste, raising questions about the sustainability of Barbie's production and environmental responsibility. This is why with my own children I would find Barbie’s at thrift and charity stores and give them a new life.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR BARBIE
Barbie's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, representing much more than just a doll. She embodies the spirit of timeless elegance, embracing change, and inspiring generations of young minds. As Barbie evolves and stays true to her values, we believe it is the best time for her to now turn to natural perfumes that align with her modern, environmentally-conscious lifestyle. Embracing the beauty of botanical scents, Barbie sets an example of embracing change while staying true to her timeless charm and grace.
