Barbie Loves Stila

Those of you who know how much I adore Stila products and that, since birth, my nickname has been Barbie will totally see the double meaning here. For those who didn’t know, well, now you do. The double meaning stems from Stila’s partnership with Mattel to create a limited edition line of cosmetics in honor of Barbie’s 50th Birthday. BTW, the inside scoop from WWD is that Stila is also sponsoring Mattel’s first Barbie runway show during New York Fashion Week next month. Fifty designers, including Vera Wang, have already signed on. Barbie may love Stila, but everybody loves Barbie.

The super cute limited edition cosmetic line comes in four collectors “paint cans” representing different iconic Barbie looks over the years. Each can features a three-pan color pallette, lip color, mascara or eye liner, and a “Barbie Look Book” that includes a history of each top-selling Barbie doll over the last five decades. The looks are:

• Ponytail – the original 1959 Barbie with her black-rimmed cat eyes, epitomized 50s glamour. This collection features two eyeshadows, a cheek color, a matte red lipstick, and black liquid eye liner.
• Malibu Barbie – from 1971 (Malibu B and Capitol B were born in the same year!), this doll symbolized the fresh, natural beauty of the 70s . The collection includes two eyeshadows, bronzing powder, pinky-peach lip glaze, and black Lash Visor mascara.
• Foxy – this 1980 doll marked a transition from the low-key 70s to the bolder beauty looks that would define the 80s. The collection incluces two eyeshadows, a matte-berry cheek powder, sheer tangerine lip glaze, and Lash Visor mascara in black.
• Jewel – this doll from 2000 showcased the sparkly, shimmery “new millennium” look. The collection contains two eyeshadows, a white shimmer cheek color, pale pink lip glaze, and Multi-effect mascara in black.

The line is available now at Sephora.com, and each collection runs $40. Products will be available in-store next month, but customers should know that in 2007, when Mattel partnered with MAC cosmetics, inventory sold out in a day. There is also a limited edition talking pallette (valued at $72, but priced at $40 also) featuring four wet/dry eyeshadows and glitter eyeliner. This kit actually talks you through each application step!

I’ve always loved Barbie – not only because we share a name, but also because of her “We girls can do anything!” message. People who get hung up on the proportions of a toy overlook the fact that she also represented a range of career options, and through play, opened up the minds and imaginations of generations of young girls to the possibilities of what they could one day become. And clearly, she still resonates with women all over the world today. You go, Girl!