NEW YORK (AP) — Things are finally looking up for Barbie.Mattel, the toy company behind the plastic dolls, said there were some signs of improving demand for Barbie ahead of its planned makeover of the brand, including Barbie dolls with different skin tones, eye colors and nose shapes to better relate to multicultural girls and their mothers.The El Segundo, California, company also reported better-than expected financial results for the first quarter and its shares rose more than 5 percent on Friday.Mattel said late Thursday that more people were buying Barbie dolls in U.S. stores. BMO Capital Markets analyst Gerrick Johnson said the rise was a “positive” development, in a note to clients. However, Mattel said overall sales of the brand including sales to retailers were still down 14 percent, largely because of the stronger dollar.Barbie sales have fallen as kids turn to tablets and other toys.