There’s a new colour reigning supreme over the browns of the 90s, the glosses of the 00s, and the vivacious mattes of the current decade - one strongly reminiscent of the 80s. Back when women slipped into their bolder alter-egos and striped their lips with striking shades of pink, fuchsia, and purple. This never-seen-before shade borrows from the 90s' blues too. It’s like we’re witnessing a resurgence of decade-favourite staples - from bedazzling our bodies with shimmer (a 90s trend) to sweeping our tendrils into sky-high ponytails with scrunchies (an 80s must-have accessory), a lot of trends exclusive to the earlier eras are spilling into our routines. It’s only natural - living through these tumultuous times, one of the only ways we can comfort ourselves is by resurrecting the familiar.
Since Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, let's see what this new colour of the year is, and how you can integrate the same into your makeup instead of working with the conventional reds and pinks.
- 01. What is very-peri?
- 02. The cult-favourite cat-eye
- 03. The whimsy lip
- 04. Zendaya-approved inner-accents
- 05. Purple-tinted cheeks
01. What is very-peri?

Image Courtesy: @ohmaigaaad
This shade is almost like a crossover between the 80s and 90s. Described as ‘a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet-red undertone that blends the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red,’ this one’s called ‘Very Peri’. I like to call it 'blurple'. And here’s how you work this electric shade into your makeup to create a statement-making look. And, well, woo your boo.
02. The cult-favourite cat-eye

Image Courtesy: @katrina_dimaranan
We never tire of a cat-eye. And a cat-eye spiked with sputterings of the coveted Very Peri? The absolute epitome of glamorous. Just sweep a little bit of the colour along your lids, and create your classic flicks against them. Coat your eyes with mascara, drown your lips in a shade of pink, and add some highlighter into the equation. This one's reminiscent of Dua Lipa's iteration of the Very Peri trend. The only difference is that she created a double-winged look, and embellished her lids with sequins.
BB Picks: Lakmé Eyeconic Liquid Eyeliner
03. The whimsy lip

Image Courtesy: @nyane
Sweep on a shade of lavender, purple, or violet on the lips to elevate your look instantly. Even though purple-blue shades aren't the most wearable, you can pull the colour off effortlessly regardless of your undertone. And that's on purple toe-ing the line between cool and warm undertones. So, really, it's universal. Since I'm a passionate advocate of minimalism, I'd suggest coating the eyes with a lick of mascara, defining the arches of the brows, and applying highlighter on the high-points of your face.
BB Picks: Lakmé Absolute Matte Melt Liquid Lip Color - Rich Magenta
04. Zendaya-approved inner-accents

Image Courtesy: @popsugar
If Zendaya does it, you know you've gotta try it out for yourself. She nailed the 'reverse eyeliner' trend flawlessly, and nestled accents of purple into the inner-corners of her lids. Swap your silver or golden highlighter for Very Peri, and witness it brighten up your entire look.
BB Picks: Lakmé Absolute Kohl Ultimate The Gelato Collection - Blackcurrant
05. Purple-tinted cheeks

Image Courtesy: @voguemagazine
Yeah, this one's a little adventurous, but you've gotta try swapping your standard highlighter for a purple-studded one. Before sweeping on the purple, brush a wash of golden or peachy highlighter on the cheeks. This keeps the shade from looking too chalky on the skin. Apply the purple on the cheeks, nose, and temples, eyebrow bones - all the high-points of the face - and pair it up with a few coats of mascara as well as pink-tinted gloss on the lips. For a softer look, apply the same highlighter on the lids, and for a dramatic one, create a smokey-eyed look.
BB Picks: Lakmé 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip & Cheek Color - Plum Feather
Main Image Courtesy: @nyane
Written by Urvi Shah on Feb 14, 2022
A professional writer by day, and a poet by night, I'm a journalism graduate with experience in the news, travel, and food sectors. A frantic compiler of excerpts from books I've read, you can count on me to incorporate quotes and phrases into everyday conversations without a warning. On days I'm not working, I station myself in front of my laptop, and try to work my way through month-old drafts of my writings.