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The exact fake tan Ryan Gosling used as Ken in the Barbie movie
He’s just Ken, but the set’s tanning expert delivered the lowdown on how to achieve the actor’s glow
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Never at our age did we think we’d be excited about Barbie again. But throw in Margot Robbie, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Ryan Gosling and top it off with Greta Gerwig directing, and we’ll be using our Barbie-sharp elbows to get ourselves to the front of the cinema queue.
Until now, a lot about the film had been kept under lock and key; with just a first glimpse of Margot Robbie as Barbie in a pink Chevrolet Corvet – no other car would’ve been acceptable. Then came Ryan Gosling as Ken and a teaser trailer with plenty of Nineties nostalgia to enjoy.
But now, the full-length Barbie movie trailer has been released and the internet cannot cope. Sountracked by Dua Lipa (also playing a Barbie mermaid), it reveals more of the film’s plot, as well as Greta Gerwig’s whip-smart script.
Barbie, living the perfect life in Barbie Land, is seen questioning her existence when things start to go awry (yes, toys can have existential crises too). First, it’s cold showers, then her signature tiptoe feet suddenly go flat.
Joined by Ken, she decides to make a break to the real world as Will Ferrell’s villain – CEO at Mattel HQ – attempts to get “this doll back in a box”.
Besides from the funny one-liners and plastic-fantastic wardrobe, one thing we can’t get enough of is Gosling’s transformation for playing Ken. If it’s his golden glow you’re after, it’s more achievable than you might think. As the fake tan experts that we are, it was only inevitable that we were going to find out exactly what tan got Ryan Gosling looking so much like Ken. Spoiler alert: it’s from a brand we’re already big fans of, so it looks like we have a new product to try.
Isle of Paradise self-tanning water, medium: £15.16, Lookfantastic.com
Of course, there was a tanning expert on set for the new Barbie movie – how else would the characters achieve the real doll look? And, luckily, Kimberley Nkosi opened up to share her tips and tricks for achieving the perfect golden glow on set.
Isle of Paradise’s self-tanning water was the product used on Ryan Gosling. When giving the lowdown on her tanning tips, Nkosi stressed the medium shade is the one she always uses to create the perfect Ken-like glow. Although the dark tone was also used just a touch to balance under tones and ensure Gosling’s tan was picked up in harsh camera lighting.
She said: “For me, applying sunless tanner isn’t about spraying something and hoping for the best. It’s about a feeling more than a look. Plus, when you work on set, there are so many things to take into consideration – the camera picks up every little detail and can completely change the appearance of tan, especially under the lights.”
Although we haven’t yet tried this exact tan, we’re big fans of the brand’s tanning drops. Earning a spot in our round-up of the best face tanners, we said: “Slightly green in colour, it neutralises any redness to give an even, natural-looking golden glow which our tester just loved.” Praising the lightweight, skin-loving formula, they added that “even one drop will leave a slightly sunkissed finish”.
This isn’t the only Isle of Paradise product we love. When reviewing the brand’s tanning oil, our tester said: “If you’re looking to try a new fake tan that hydrates the skin, while also providing an even, buildable and natural glow, this certainly delivers. It’s easy to apply, doesn’t give off the usual biscuity smell and didn’t transfer onto our sheets.” It also secured a spot in our edit of the best fake tans where our tester praised it as a “cocktail of body-boosting ingredients alongside a beautifully bronzed glow.”
The self-tanning water Gosling is wearing supposedly doesn’t transfer onto clothes or sheets either. Ingredients include chia seed, coconut and avocado oils to nourish and condition the skin for a healthy and longer-lasting glow. A “superbalance complex” has also been added to help colour correct, and the medium shade includes green pigments to counteract redness.
Nkosi also shared some top tips for achieving the perfect sunless tan, including using the Isle of Paradise prep it self-tan priming spray (£11.21, Lookfantastic.com), a pH-balancing water helping to extend your tan for up to three days longer than normal. She also raved about Glossier’s balm dot com mango (£10, Glossier.com) and the Dr. Hauschka lemon lemongrass vitalising body oil (£16.18, Lookfantastic.com), recommending these to keep the skin nourished, hydrated and keeping the tan for longer.
When does the Barbie film come out?
The Barbie movie is set for cinema release on 21 July 2023 and it’s set to be the film of the summer, if not the year.
Where can you watch the Barbie movie?
You’ll only be able to watch it in cinemas when it’s released on 21 July 2023.
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Looking for more beauty inspo? Take a look at our round-up of the best fake tans for a golden glow year-round