Thanks to the new Barbie movie, the world’s supply of pink paint is greatly depleted. Even before the film began painting their sets, supply chain issues and access to materials had slowed the production of pink paint. Now, Barbie pink is a hot commodity thanks to the movie, and there’s a dwindling supply left. Here’s how you can get iconic “Barbie pink” in spite of the shortage.
Is “Barbie pink” paint available right now?
The first thing to remember about getting a perfect paint color is that the name of the color isn’t nearly as important as the final product. While “Barbie Pink” might be in short supply, there are plenty of similar shades available if you’re looking to Barbie-up a home project. Since the actual shortage of paint is limited to a company that mainly supplies theater and motion picture productions, there’s plenty of the right color pigment left in the world to create your own Barbie-inspired project.
The official color, branded as Barbie Dreamhouse Pink, is still available from Backdrop Home. At $49 for a half gallon, it’s a little pricey for latex wall paint, though. If you want to try it out, you can order a sample in the form of a 12” by 12” swatch for $3. If you decide to go with a premixed premium paint, make sure to estimate the amount of paint you’ll need carefully to avoid getting too much or too little.
You can buy pink paint from the hardware store, too
For a more affordable alternative, getting a premixed paint from a hardware store will work too. PPG Tickled Pink from Home Depot is a good match at between $20 and $25/gallon. Another off-the-shelf alternative is Cheery Pink from Sherwin Williams and will cost between $29 and $31.50/gallon. If you’re using a branded color from a paint or hardware store, you can try holding up a sample to find the closest match. Remember that the color balance on a screen won’t always translate exactly to the finished paint color, so having an actual physical sample to compare is the best way to find the right tone.
Many paint stores will also offer color-matching tools to match the exact shade of pink you’re after. Remember, though, that the shade might not look exactly as it appears on your monitor. You can request a sample from the paint store if you’re unsure it’s the right match. Painting onto a small swatch and then allowing it to dry will show you how the paint will actually look once it’s on your walls.
You can mix your own paint
If you’re not satisfied with any of the “close enough” options available off the shelf for a true Barbie pink, you can always decide to mix your own. Since color matching is difficult when done in multiple batches, it’s best to mix all of the paint you need at once. If you’re painting a room, this will require a five-gallon bucket and a paint-mixing tool to accomplish properly.
To mix the color to your desired shade, it’s important to begin with the right tone of red. A red that leans slightly to a blue hue, known as a “cool red” instead of orangey red will be your best bet to achieve a Barbie-inspired pink. Usually the best strategy to get a bright pink color is to start with a true white and add red little by little until you get the color you’re after. Generally, it’s much easier to darken a color that’s too light than it is to lighten it once it’s too dark.
Use an alternative kind of paint
You can also defy the Barbie pink paint shortage by using alternatives to latex paint. For smaller projects like outdoor furniture, spray paint will work, and there’s no mixing involved. Manga Pink from MTN is a close match, as well as Candy Pink from Rustoleum. Other options include using acrylics (either pre-mixed or you can mix your own using red and white). If painting isn’t an option, you can also try some peel-and-stick wallpaper in a classic bright pink color.