’90s beauty often gets a bad rap. The hair gel (and face, and body). The French mani – thick and obnoxious. The buns and whale spouts and “slut strands”. The dark brown lipstick. The over-plucked eyebrows. The glitter – everywhere. Sound like a beauty disaster? In parts, yes. But take certain elements of an era characterised by bad taste and make them modern and all of a sudden they are as cool as can be. Kim Kardashian West has done this perfectly. A palpable devotee of the era, Kardashian’s thirst for the ’90s seems unquenchable. Every day, a new ’90s get-up. The ugly sneaker. The leggings. The bodycon. The sweats. The denim. It’s a trip down memory lane, but Kardashian-fied. Sexed-up, souped-up, plastic and fantastic.

Verging on le vulgar, the latest instalment of ‘Kimmy K in the ’90s’ is decidedly beauty-focused. Lip liner – but more specifically the dark, hollowed-out lip line synonymous with the era – has made its debut on Kardashian’s Instagram page. Looking ever the Kardashian-bot, Kardashian posed in taut, candy pink Chanel, brows full and eyes heavy with that iconic pillow pout lined with a deep rust liner.

Unlike sister Kylie’s penchant for a lined lip, Kardashian’s inner lip was kept barely-there – peachy nude with a subtle sheen. The bold contrast redolent of a ’90s Winona, Drew, Alicia and SMG (Sarah Michelle Gellar for the uninitiated), it was brave, to say the least.

But that’s what Kardashian West does best; brash, flash, gaudy beauty. A bold beauty move typically confined to runways and reruns of Empire Records, now that Kardashian has championed the carved-out, high-contrast lip, no doubt the disciples will swiftly follow suit.

If you’re feeling particularly spicy, consider these three liners for your best rendition of C. J. Parker and handle it.

Shop the look

KKW Beauty Lip Liner in Nude 3, $16 (AUD). shop now

Zoeva Graphic Lip Pencil in Blazing sun, $11. shop now

Huda beauty lip contour in heartbreaker, $33. shop now