At the recent Mad Cool Festival held in Madrid, Spain, BLACKPINK’s Jennie took the main stage as a headlining performer, firing up the crowd with hit tracks including "Mantra," "ExtraL," and "like JENNIE." Beyond her high-energy performance, her long wavy hair and mermaid-inspired aesthetic immediately captured public attention.
Jennie amplified the ethereal mood by pairing a shell-shaped ruffled bra top with a flowing sequin skirt, completing the look with dreamy lavender- and purple-toned makeup. The cool lavender hues complemented the summer night festival atmosphere, highlighting her signature mysterious yet refreshing charm.
Reactions flooded social media following the concert, with fans calling her a "real-life Little Mermaid" and praising the appearance as a new high mark for her styling. Following her festival run, Jennie continued her solo momentum by releasing the new single "Less Than a Lover," which she co-wrote and co-composed.
Why Lavender Works Remarkably Well for Summer
While summer beauty trends typically revolve around warm, vivid shades like coral or orange, lavender offers a uniquely refreshing alternative. As a light purple hue with white and blue undertones, lavender feels lighter and clearer than deep violet or plum, giving the eye area a cool, luminous appearance.
When paired with silver or opal shimmer, lavender catches sunlight and stage lighting, creating a translucent, sparkling effect ideal for resort or festival looks. The shade is also gaining traction in global beauty trends, with international fashion and beauty outlets reporting a surge in searches for purple makeup across a spectrum ranging from soft lilac to rich violet.
How to Recreate Jennie’s Dreamy Eye Look
Jennie’s festival look balanced her lavender-themed attire by focusing the color on her eyes while keeping the rest of her makeup soft and understated. The secret to recreating this look without over-saturating the face is avoiding an "all-in on purple" approach.
Start by sweeping a sheer wash of light lavender or purple eyeshadow across the lid, building intensity in light, gradual layers. Applying too much product at once can make the eyes appear heavy or swollen. For those concerned about eye puffiness, apply the color selectively along the inner corners or lower lash line rather than across the entire lid.
Next, lightly tap silver or opal shimmer onto the center of the lid or the inner corners to accentuate the clear, translucent finish. For eyeliner, avoid thick lines; instead, tightline subtly between the lashes and complete the eyes with a clean coat of mascara. Pair the look with muted lip and cheek shades—such as nude pink or rose—so the eyes remain the focal point without overwhelming the face.
Pairing Lavender and Pink Blush to Brighten the Midface
Lavender can also be used as a blush to add dimension and brightness to the center of the face. A popular technique in recent K-pop idol makeup involves applying pale, white-based blushers—such as lavender or pastel pink—broadly from under the eyes across the front cheekbones to boost volume and radiance.
Because purple neutralizes yellow undertones, lavender blush helps counteract sallow complexions. However, applying lavender blush alone can sometimes leave skin looking overly pale or grayish depending on skin tone. To prevent this, apply a thin layer of lavender blush under the eyes and across the front cheekbones first, then layer a soft pink blush over the apples of the cheeks. The lavender brightens the midface while the pink provides a natural flush.
Selecting the right shade of lavender is essential. Fair, cool-toned skin pairs well with pale lavender or icy purple shades. Warm skin tones benefit from lilac hues blended with pink or rose. For deeper skin tones, muted mauve or rich plum shades offer a flattering contrast without appearing chalky.
Girls' Generation's Taeyeon, a known beauty enthusiast, previously shared on her YouTube channel that she collects plum-toned blushers for their mysterious and romantic appeal. She recommended controlling the application amount with deeper shades and suggested applying subtle touches of blush not only to the cheeks, but also to the inner corners of the eyes and the tip of the nose for a cohesive, glowing finish.
