Beauty trends are a funny thing. One day, we’re all striving to decipher the most compatible skincare and makeup sandwiching for a picture-perfect, no-makeup makeup complexion. The next? We’re finding inspiration in one of our favorite childhood dolls. This year, we’ve watched as Barbie and American Girl Doll glam aesthetics have ebbed and flowed on our feeds. Now, Bratz-inspired makeup is trending, and we’re ready to dabble in yet another modern-day look fueled by nostalgia. You too? Grab a drink, take a seat, and keep reading to learn all about the Bratz doll makeup trend currently dominating stages, carpets, and social feeds everywhere.
Meet Our Expert
Brenda Orduno is a makeup artist and a senior product developer at Beauty Creations Cosmetics.
Jocelyne Aguila is an Oregon-based makeup artist.
What Is Bratz Doll Makeup?
Cloe, Jade, Sasha, and Yasmin have known the power of a dramatic statement eye and well-defined glossy lip since 2001. Now, 14 years later, Gen Z babes (and beauty lovers of all ages) are embracing the showy, signature aesthetic Bratz dolls have long loved. “The Bratz aesthetic is bold, edgy, and unapologetically glam—think of it as the opposite of minimalism; it’s all about high-impact color, glossy lips, dramatic eyes, and an ultra-stylized wardrobe,” makeup artist and Beauty Creations Cosmetics senior product developer Brenda Orduno. “What makes it so fun is that there’s no hesitation. You’re embracing big, exaggerated beauty moments and pairing them with fashion that feels just as playful and fearless. It’s not afraid of contrast or volume, and that confidence is what makes it so instantly recognizable.”
Dove CameronDoja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina CarpenterKarol G, and the Kardashians are all prime examples of the Bratz aesthetic brought to life. While these ladies know how to pare it back for a minimalist makeup look, they often command attention with glamorous, obviously done-up face beats. In essence, it’s not about applying makeup so flawlessly that it looks like you were born with it; it’s about layering and blending so well that it’s clear you’re a makeup maven.
“The Bratz Doll look is playful and glamorous with wide, open eyes, sultry liner, fluffy lashes, pouty lips, and rosy blush on the cheeks,” makeup artist Jocelyne Aguila says. “It really gives that doll-like finish where the features are exaggerated in a beautiful, feminine way that feels both nostalgic and current.”
Why Is It Trending?
Like so many modern-day fashion and beauty trends, the Bratz doll makeup craze is in large part due to our collective yearning for the simplicity of our youth. “So much of this resurgence is rooted in nostalgia and culture,” Orduno says. “Many of us grew up with Bratz dolls, so seeing that aesthetic resurfaces into something familiar and comforting, but it’s also being reimagined through today’s lens of inclusivity and self-expression.”
Let us not forget, in a world where Barbie and her friends were primarily white, Bratz set the bar with its debut of four diverse gal pals from the start. In fact, that’s part of what makes the iconic beauty look so desirable today. “(Bratz doll makeup is) flattering on so many different face shapes and skin tones, and it photographs so well,” Aguila says. “On social media, it really pops, which is why I think so many people are drawn to it right now.”
It boils down to how head-turning the Bratz beauty beat is compared to the minimalist makeup looks of recent years. “Social media has given Y2K style a second life,” Orduno explains. “The Bratz look translates so well to platforms like TikTok and Instagram because it’s highly visual and instantly ‘scroll-stopping.’ It feels both retro and modern at the same time, which is exactly what makes it resonate with a younger audience today.”
But make no mistake: Bratz doll makeup isn’t only catching on with teenagers and young adults. Millennials and beyond are tapping in, too. “Bratz have always embodied individuality and attitude,” Orduno says. “They were designed to stand out, and that energy is really speaking to beauty lovers right now, especially with so many celebrities embracing the vibe. Fashion and beauty fans are picking up on that unapologetic edge and saying, ‘This is how I want to express myself.’ It’s glam with personality, and that’s why it’s clicking with people.”
How to Wear It
Ready to bring your best Bratz beat to life? Start with an expertly-blended statement eye (doing this first will prevent fallout and smudging of your base makeup), then go in with primer, concealerfoundation (if you use it), contourand blush. Achieve a doll-like finish with a mattifying translucent setting powder, then apply the finishing touches on your lids with sharp winged liner and full, fluffy lashes. Finally, define your lips with liner and add an ultra-glossy tint on top. And just like that, voila! You look fresh out of the early 2000s and undeniably fitting for 2025.
One More Thing: Bratz Doll Makeup Vs. Barbie Makeup
No matter which doll you preferred to play with as a kid, Barbie and Bratz dolls have both gone on to inspire grown-up beauty statements that we can totally get on board with. Determining which one is right for you is ultimately a matter of personal preference. “The two trends coexist, but they represent different flavors of femininity and self-expression,” Orduno says. “Barbie feels polished and aspirational; Bratz feels bold, daring, and a little rebellious. Both have their place in today’s beauty landscape, and both are shaping the way people think about play, identity, and fashion.”
That said, the culture and catalyst behind each beauty trend is intriguing. “Both Barbie and Bratz have had their own cultural ‘revival’ moments, but they’re coming from different places,” Orduno says. “Barbie’s resurgence between 2023 and 2024 was tied to the movie, the fashion collaborations, and this renewed conversation around diversity and reimagining an iconic brand. Bratz, on the other hand, has come back to life more organically through social media and the Y2K style wave: platform shoes, mini skirts, bold prints.”
So, the question is: Which will you choose?
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